So as an introduction to my blog, I thought I'd write about my work (don't start snoring yet!)
I work in the field of Infectious diseases, and since most of our work deals with trying to understand how disease affects humans, we work with human cells as a template for our studies.
I, in particular, study certain STIs. Although not many people would admit this, I do believe that what I do , is very useful and essential in the study of women's health. However, I will admit, doing what I do, detailed studies and descriptions of certain organs and processes becomes essential. Uncomfortable situations have been known to arise, and we counter these with a sense of humor.
I was quite apprehensive about working in this field initially. Apprehension soon changed to alarm and horror on learning that my research advisor would be a member of the opposite gender, who was just 8 years elder to me. I was prepared for a significant amount of embarrassment, followed by panic, ending with a desire to jump out the nearest window. (If you're wondering why I over-reacted so much, its because you don't know how taboo using the S- word is , while growing up in the 90s in India). However, what I wasn't prepared for, was an advisor like mine (who henceforth shall be referred to as D)
D has left standing instructions to people who work in my lab, that everyone should know all about s**. The ins, the outs (pun unintended), whatever there is to know, should be known. So if you ever catch me reading seemingly perverse stuff on the internet, I'll have you know, its essential to my research.
My work might be embarrassing to some, is definitely not meant to be discussed in polite company, and always elicits "OH! really?"...followed by uncertain silences from people I tell about it..but I sincerely believe in it, and stand by my belief..the day I lose this conviction , I'll quit working here (because, difficult as it may be to comprehend, but working with..ahem..certain types of samples , just isn't that much fun). Till then, I will continue to be amused by people's reactions.
A certain colleague summed it up pretty well, when I explained to him that the human cells we used , were cervical cancer cells. His succinct reply was - "Eww..gross!"
Well put.
I work in the field of Infectious diseases, and since most of our work deals with trying to understand how disease affects humans, we work with human cells as a template for our studies.
I, in particular, study certain STIs. Although not many people would admit this, I do believe that what I do , is very useful and essential in the study of women's health. However, I will admit, doing what I do, detailed studies and descriptions of certain organs and processes becomes essential. Uncomfortable situations have been known to arise, and we counter these with a sense of humor.
I was quite apprehensive about working in this field initially. Apprehension soon changed to alarm and horror on learning that my research advisor would be a member of the opposite gender, who was just 8 years elder to me. I was prepared for a significant amount of embarrassment, followed by panic, ending with a desire to jump out the nearest window. (If you're wondering why I over-reacted so much, its because you don't know how taboo using the S- word is , while growing up in the 90s in India). However, what I wasn't prepared for, was an advisor like mine (who henceforth shall be referred to as D)
D has left standing instructions to people who work in my lab, that everyone should know all about s**. The ins, the outs (pun unintended), whatever there is to know, should be known. So if you ever catch me reading seemingly perverse stuff on the internet, I'll have you know, its essential to my research.
My work might be embarrassing to some, is definitely not meant to be discussed in polite company, and always elicits "OH! really?"...followed by uncertain silences from people I tell about it..but I sincerely believe in it, and stand by my belief..the day I lose this conviction , I'll quit working here (because, difficult as it may be to comprehend, but working with..ahem..certain types of samples , just isn't that much fun). Till then, I will continue to be amused by people's reactions.
A certain colleague summed it up pretty well, when I explained to him that the human cells we used , were cervical cancer cells. His succinct reply was - "Eww..gross!"
Well put.
Comments
Nice read, this blog of yours... You should continue... :-)