AnthroManTalks

This month’s trip was less about dirt piles and more about getting into the nitty-gritty of clearing land. We started off by splitting up. A few people helped move furniture around the temple, while the rest of us headed to this big patch of wild grass that looked like it hadn’t been touched in years.     Pulling up weeds and overgrown grass sounds simple until you're actually doing it under the sun, one handful at a time. But honestly, it was kind of peaceful. Once we got in

Hey everyone! It’s been a long time since my last post, way longer than I planned. I usually write every couple of weeks, but between AP...

Hello everyone! I wanted to update you on my research projects. As you know, my study on BRCA1/2 mutations that cause breast cancer has...

We kicked off the morning by digging and moving a whole lot of dirt. Not exactly glamorous, but honestly kind of satisfying. Everyone jumped in, and it was cool seeing how quickly the area started to take shape once we got going. Bucket chains, mini dirt mountains—it was a solid workout, but we made it fun.    After that, we had lunch with the adult volunteers and temple masters. It was really chill—we all sat together, ate, and just talked. Having that mix of generations the

As I got into Part 3 of Upheaval by Jared Diamond, I was really struck by how he takes his crisis framework beyond just countries and...

Hi everyone! It’s time for another update on the Science Alliance journey. The momentum keeps building, and this meeting was nothing short of inspiring!    This session was all about progress. By now, buddies and mentors have hit their stride, and it’s amazing to see the confidence and creativity. The third meeting focused on refining project methods and gathering materials to move for experimentation.    Several teams even began their first trials during the meeting! Watchin

This December, the Tap Initiative continued its mission of making an impact, and while I wasn’t able to join this time, the incredible work done by our members deserves a spotlight!     The day kicked off with a fresh addition to our process: a brand-new hours tracking sheet that members used to log their contributions. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with members appreciating the organized and easy-to-use system. It’s always great to see innovation in action, and t

When I started Part 2 of Upheaval by Jared Diamond, I was struck by how vividly he applied his personal and national crises framework to...

This November, the Tap Initiative took things to the next level! Starting bright and early at 10 a.m., we hosted one of our biggest trips, with 30 enthusiastic new freshmen members bringing along their friends. The energy was incredible, and it was clear this would be a day to remember.    This time, we were to dig up the soil and transport it to designated sections for planting. To tackle this ambitious job, we divided into two teams. One group grabbed shovels and got straig

Hi everyone! I'm excited to share an update on the Science Alliance's second meeting. Let me tell you—it was just as amazing as the...

This October, my high school’s chapter of the Tap Initiative hosted another amazing trip! Almost 10 of us showed up, ready to roll up our...

When I began reading Upheaval by Jared Diamond, I didn’t expect such a straightforward connection between personal and national crises....

Hey everyone! It’s been a wild ride these past few weeks, so I thought I’d drop an update on all the crazy but awesome stuff happening....

Hi everyone! Today, I'm talking about the Science Alliance's first meeting, which was packed with energy, excitement, and some science magic!     For those who don't know, Science Alliance is about hands-on learning and fostering a real connection between high school mentors and their 5th-grade "buddies." We've got a 1:1 buddy-mentor system going strong, and each 5th grader gets personalized guidance from a carefully selected mentor. Our rigorous application process ensures t

Hello everyone! I'm excited to share that I've been awarded the NSHSS Advocacy & Activism Scholarship. It's incredible to be recognized...

The Tap Initiative had one of its most productive trips this August! From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., we spent the day clearing out a massive...

Hey everyone! Have you ever wondered why some civilizations thrive while others fall apart? Jared Diamond tackles this question in his...

Hey guys! Jared Diamond's Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed  is a fascinating look at why some civilizations thrive while others crumble. In this blog post, I'm focusing on the book's third part, which dives into the moments when societies face collapse and the choices that lead them there.  In Collapse , Diamond examines several societies, like the Norse in Greenland and the people of Easter Island, to show how they fell apart. What's striking is how often th

Attending the UCSB SRA Capstone Seminar was like running a marathon, but instead of miles, it was presentations. And there were 39 of them. The day felt like it would never end, with the parade of PowerPoint slides nearly lulling me into a deep sleep more than once. Yet, despite the monotony, my presentation, titled "Simulating the Effect of Single vs. Cocktail Antibiotic Treatments on the Normal Flora in the Human Gut Microbiome," was the highlight of my day.     Sitting thr

Hey guys! I am so sorry for being late to this blog post as well! I have been swamped with my work from the UCSB SRA program and...