This blog is devoted to BIOL 6988, a graduate level seminar in the biological sciences at Youngstown State University. While targeted towards graduate students, BIOL 6988 actively incorporates undergraduate participants in their scholastic endeavors in the biological sciences. This blog is intended as a educational tool not just for YSU students and faculty, but for anyone who wishes to contribute to an active-learning environment.
Due to unforeseen circumstances, Dean Steelant cannot present his seminar on November 4th. In his stead, Dr. Gary Walker, Chair of Biology, will present a seminar. Dr. Steelant's seminar will be re-scheduled for a future date.
“From xanthophores to bioprinting journey of a cell biologist,” this is Dr Walker academic journey title until his stepping stone at Youngstown State University as a Biological science chair. He explained ups and down he faced until he reached the crown of his academic interest as a cell biologist. He discovered an antibody that failed to work with his test, but realized later that the antibody works well with human body. He also got involved in xanthophores research using sea urchin on myoblastic stem cells to prove his scholastic achievement in research writings and publication at YSU, using bioprinting approach. Relating to Dr Walker’s journey, does one bad chapter in life mean the end of successful story?
I think Dr. Walker's story of how he got to YSU was very interesting. No, I do not think that one bad chapter in a person's life means the end of a successful story. Life is always going to have its ups and downs regardless of what career path you choose. And, as Dr. Walker showed us, even when something such as our research doesn't go as hoped, the results we get may open doors to another chapter of life. I think having "bad chapters" in life is inevitable, but they teach us failure so that we can learn how to be successful and therefore have plenty of "good chapters" as we continue through life.
I do not think one bad chapter is the end of a successful story. I think more times that not what we perceive to be failures at one point, are actually just lessons learned and lead us to new and unexpected possibilities. Especially in the science field, I think we have all encountered that: science sometimes just doesn't work. And that you can follow a procedure perfectly, but sometimes it still will not produce the results you were hoping for/expecting.
Our lives are a collection of the decisions that we make, not all of which are planned and many are unexpected. One bad chapter does not mean the end of the story. On the contrary, the bad chapter is usually when the story gets interesting. Consider Frodo’s journey in The Lord of the Rings. He is elevated from his mundane life when the ring comes in his possession. He was stabbed by a ring wraith, nearly drowned in the dead marshes, and was all but defeated by Shelob (until his loyal, trustworthy sidekick, Samwise Gamgee, saved him). I’m sure from Frodo’s position that these experiences sucked, and they all came about because his uncle found a ring. A ring! I won’t reveal any more spoilers in case you haven’t read the books or seen the movies, but in the end things work out. Frodo’s life was forever changed for the better after travelling Middle Earth. He experienced life like no other hobbit before him. Back in our world, I’m not sure which chapter in Dr. Walker’s story is the bad one. Perhaps it was his decision to come to YSU. He did say it was rough at first. However, he was able to gather publishable data, so he stuck around. Now he is developing a technique for bio-printing muscles. I’d say that his journey has paid off even if he isn’t sipping Mai Thais on a sandy beach in Maui every day. In the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson, “life is a journey, not a destination.”
One bad chapter doesn’t mean the end of the story. Everyone is going try to do their best at life which will result in wins and losses, but it seems many get hung up on these results. I feel that some who experience a large defeat become indecisive and afraid of making decisions again. This cripples them and causes their personal growth to stagnate. They don’t realize that failing is okay as it provides a chance to learn from the mistakes and an opportunity to grow in different ways as an individual. It will happen to everyone, but what’s important is how a person handles it and moving forward from it.
I agree with the general consensus that one bad chapter in life does not mean the end of a successful story. On the contrary, a bad chapter usually is the start of a successful story. Through hardships we learn which techniques don’t work (just like Dr. Walker discovered the antibodies he developed were ineffective) which leads us to approach problems from a new angle, or maybe even ask different questions entirely (like Dr. Walker going from research with sea urchins to developing a technique for bio-printing muscles…two drastically different areas of research). I think Thomas Edison said it best talking about his journey to inventing the light bulb, “I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.” I’m not sure the validity of the quote but it is still an important attitude to carry in any field of science. Failure is not measured based on whether research goes as planned, and neither should be success.
As a member of Dr. Walker's research group, I really enjoyed learning more about his journey to where he is today. I think it is clear that one bad chapter in one's life certainly does not lead to the end of a successful story. In Dr. Walker's case (and for many other people) as one door of opportunity closes, another opens. The research Dr. Walker is conducting now with our new bioprinter has given myself and many other students the opportunity to gain experience in this new area of biological research that we would not have the chance to pursue if things had gone smoothly with his sea urchin research.
Dr. Walker’s talk regarding his professional journey as well as his current and past research was informative and enjoyable. I knew of Dr. Walker’s work with myocytes, but it was interesting to actually see how tissue samples can be “printed” using 3D printing technology. As for the question about one bad chapter ruining someone’s successfulness, I can agree with the rest of the posts. Often there are diversions that may not be planned or may not be looked upon as being a “success”, but in the end one bad chapter often leads to the opening of many overlooked possibilities.
No, it certainly does not. However, I believed it was for a long time. In fact, I still need to be reminded that a few setbacks do not lead to overall failure and preventing you from pursuing your goals. I’m certain that the professors that we see on a daily basis, including Dr. Walker, had some struggles and “bad chapters” getting to where they are today. But they got through it, and have successful careers in academia at YSU. It is tempting to give up after experiencing rejections of ideas and positions and overall struggles in life. But, I believe one can pursue their goals through dedication and persistence regardless what life will throw at you.
A bad chapter rarely, if ever, indicates the end to a successful story! Life is a figurative roller coaster! Of course there are always going to be periods in life when things seem a little hopeless and impossible and it's no different with research! We all get bored or tired or burn out at some point, but that doesn't mean things won't pick up again. Sometimes we just have to find something a little more appealing or we need to take a step back to find our passion again. We all go through periods of uncertainty; just look at Kyle's Frodo example! In Dr. Walker's case, he may have had moments of uncertainty, but he ended up here. And just maybe this is where he's able to make the most difference in the lives of young academics like ourselves.
A one bad chapter in life does not mean the end of successful story. Dr. Walker journey to where he is now was really interesting. It clearly outlined the difference between success and failure, that is successful people no matter how many times they fell, they keep waking up and trying again and again. they do not give up nor quit, as failures do.
One bad chapter may actually lead to a more likely successful story, in my opinion. I think often times, we, as students, or in general, humans, get caught up in one bad chapter, and do not think we can recover from it or make something out of it. I think those times are meant to open our eyes and teach us lessons. I think people can learn the most from the mistakes they make and the obstacles they face. It's, in a way, necessary in order to grow. Dr. Walker gave a great presentation. I appreciate him sharing his personal journey and motivating us to see the potential we all hold.
Dr. Walker gave an interesting presentation explaining how his career got started with Xanthophores and how their orange pigment was able to diffuse via intermediate filaments that are present in all cells. Later he worked on platelet aggregation, role of myosin in cytokinesis, protein kinases. At YSU, he got interested in constructing muscle tissues and how organs are formed to find treatment for neuromuscular diseases. For this purpose, he is facing many challenges. His first challenge was to attain perfect 3D geometry of muscle fibers as muscle fibers run in different orientations. He has used stem cells to form a mold and then put it in tissue biogenerator to print 3D tissue. I am interested in finding out the role of titin in myogenesis, and whether or not its over expression would help in regenerating/compensating muscle mass loss.
“From xanthophores to bioprinting journey of a cell biologist,” this is Dr Walker academic journey title until his stepping stone at Youngstown State University as a Biological science chair. He explained ups and down he faced until he reached the crown of his academic interest as a cell biologist. He discovered an antibody that failed to work with his test, but realized later that the antibody works well with human body. He also got involved in xanthophores research using sea urchin on myoblastic stem cells to prove his scholastic achievement in research writings and publication at YSU, using bioprinting approach. Relating to Dr Walker’s journey, does one bad chapter in life mean the end of successful story?
ReplyDeleteI think Dr. Walker's story of how he got to YSU was very interesting. No, I do not think that one bad chapter in a person's life means the end of a successful story. Life is always going to have its ups and downs regardless of what career path you choose. And, as Dr. Walker showed us, even when something such as our research doesn't go as hoped, the results we get may open doors to another chapter of life. I think having "bad chapters" in life is inevitable, but they teach us failure so that we can learn how to be successful and therefore have plenty of "good chapters" as we continue through life.
ReplyDeleteI do not think one bad chapter is the end of a successful story. I think more times that not what we perceive to be failures at one point, are actually just lessons learned and lead us to new and unexpected possibilities. Especially in the science field, I think we have all encountered that: science sometimes just doesn't work. And that you can follow a procedure perfectly, but sometimes it still will not produce the results you were hoping for/expecting.
ReplyDeleteOur lives are a collection of the decisions that we make, not all of which are planned and many are unexpected. One bad chapter does not mean the end of the story. On the contrary, the bad chapter is usually when the story gets interesting. Consider Frodo’s journey in The Lord of the Rings. He is elevated from his mundane life when the ring comes in his possession. He was stabbed by a ring wraith, nearly drowned in the dead marshes, and was all but defeated by Shelob (until his loyal, trustworthy sidekick, Samwise Gamgee, saved him). I’m sure from Frodo’s position that these experiences sucked, and they all came about because his uncle found a ring. A ring! I won’t reveal any more spoilers in case you haven’t read the books or seen the movies, but in the end things work out. Frodo’s life was forever changed for the better after travelling Middle Earth. He experienced life like no other hobbit before him. Back in our world, I’m not sure which chapter in Dr. Walker’s story is the bad one. Perhaps it was his decision to come to YSU. He did say it was rough at first. However, he was able to gather publishable data, so he stuck around. Now he is developing a technique for bio-printing muscles. I’d say that his journey has paid off even if he isn’t sipping Mai Thais on a sandy beach in Maui every day. In the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson, “life is a journey, not a destination.”
ReplyDeleteOne bad chapter doesn’t mean the end of the story. Everyone is going try to do their best at life which will result in wins and losses, but it seems many get hung up on these results. I feel that some who experience a large defeat become indecisive and afraid of making decisions again. This cripples them and causes their personal growth to stagnate. They don’t realize that failing is okay as it provides a chance to learn from the mistakes and an opportunity to grow in different ways as an individual. It will happen to everyone, but what’s important is how a person handles it and moving forward from it.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the general consensus that one bad chapter in life does not mean the end of a successful story. On the contrary, a bad chapter usually is the start of a successful story. Through hardships we learn which techniques don’t work (just like Dr. Walker discovered the antibodies he developed were ineffective) which leads us to approach problems from a new angle, or maybe even ask different questions entirely (like Dr. Walker going from research with sea urchins to developing a technique for bio-printing muscles…two drastically different areas of research). I think Thomas Edison said it best talking about his journey to inventing the light bulb, “I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.” I’m not sure the validity of the quote but it is still an important attitude to carry in any field of science. Failure is not measured based on whether research goes as planned, and neither should be success.
ReplyDeleteAs a member of Dr. Walker's research group, I really enjoyed learning more about his journey to where he is today. I think it is clear that one bad chapter in one's life certainly does not lead to the end of a successful story. In Dr. Walker's case (and for many other people) as one door of opportunity closes, another opens. The research Dr. Walker is conducting now with our new bioprinter has given myself and many other students the opportunity to gain experience in this new area of biological research that we would not have the chance to pursue if things had gone smoothly with his sea urchin research.
ReplyDeleteDr. Walker’s talk regarding his professional journey as well as his current and past research was informative and enjoyable. I knew of Dr. Walker’s work with myocytes, but it was interesting to actually see how tissue samples can be “printed” using 3D printing technology. As for the question about one bad chapter ruining someone’s successfulness, I can agree with the rest of the posts. Often there are diversions that may not be planned or may not be looked upon as being a “success”, but in the end one bad chapter often leads to the opening of many overlooked possibilities.
ReplyDeleteNo, it certainly does not. However, I believed it was for a long time. In fact, I still need to be reminded that a few setbacks do not lead to overall failure and preventing you from pursuing your goals. I’m certain that the professors that we see on a daily basis, including Dr. Walker, had some struggles and “bad chapters” getting to where they are today. But they got through it, and have successful careers in academia at YSU. It is tempting to give up after experiencing rejections of ideas and positions and overall struggles in life. But, I believe one can pursue their goals through dedication and persistence regardless what life will throw at you.
ReplyDeleteA bad chapter rarely, if ever, indicates the end to a successful story! Life is a figurative roller coaster! Of course there are always going to be periods in life when things seem a little hopeless and impossible and it's no different with research! We all get bored or tired or burn out at some point, but that doesn't mean things won't pick up again. Sometimes we just have to find something a little more appealing or we need to take a step back to find our passion again. We all go through periods of uncertainty; just look at Kyle's Frodo example! In Dr. Walker's case, he may have had moments of uncertainty, but he ended up here. And just maybe this is where he's able to make the most difference in the lives of young academics like ourselves.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteA one bad chapter in life does not mean the end of successful story. Dr. Walker journey to where he is now was really interesting. It clearly outlined the difference between success and failure, that is successful people no matter how many times they fell, they keep waking up and trying again and again. they do not give up nor quit, as failures do.
ReplyDeleteOne bad chapter may actually lead to a more likely successful story, in my opinion. I think often times, we, as students, or in general, humans, get caught up in one bad chapter, and do not think we can recover from it or make something out of it. I think those times are meant to open our eyes and teach us lessons. I think people can learn the most from the mistakes they make and the obstacles they face. It's, in a way, necessary in order to grow. Dr. Walker gave a great presentation. I appreciate him sharing his personal journey and motivating us to see the potential we all hold.
ReplyDeleteDr. Walker gave an interesting presentation explaining how his career got started with Xanthophores and how their orange pigment was able to diffuse via intermediate filaments that are present in all cells. Later he worked on platelet aggregation, role of myosin in cytokinesis, protein kinases. At YSU, he got interested in constructing muscle tissues and how organs are formed to find treatment for neuromuscular diseases. For this purpose, he is facing many challenges. His first challenge was to attain perfect 3D geometry of muscle fibers as muscle fibers run in different orientations. He has used stem cells to form a mold and then put it in tissue biogenerator to print 3D tissue. I am interested in finding out the role of titin in myogenesis, and whether or not its over expression would help in regenerating/compensating muscle mass loss.
ReplyDelete