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Dispatches Home > Latest Story by Michelle > Michelle's Archive > Dispatches Index
Goodbye from the Field
By Michelle Di Fiore
Sept. 10, 2007
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| Di Fiore poses with other PRIME students in front of a sculpture titled "Cow Up a Tree." |
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Melbourne has grown on me, and now that I have found my place here, it is time to pull out the roots that have grown under my feet. Over the past nine weeks I have seen amazing sights, met unique people and created memories that I hope will last me a lifetime. Now, the PRIME program at Monash University has come to an end and it is time to pack up all my belongings and say goodbye -- however you are supposed to do that.
Knowing that I am going to be in the United States in a few days brings about mixed emotions. I am ready to see my family, eat home-cooked meals, go to the beach to feel the sand between my toes and feel the hot summer sun on my skin. But, as I look forward to these things, I can’t help but think about what I am leaving behind. My days are going to be filled with long lectures and hours of studying in Geisel. I no longer will be able to take a 10-minute train ride to the city or stroll down St. Kilda Esplanade and admire local artists’ hand-made crafts. And let’s face it — my chances of seeing a koala in the eucalyptus trees on campus are slim to none. The friendships that I have made here will now span oceans and continents instead of hotel rooms. All these things that I have grown accustomed to will be half-way around the world, out of reach from California.
This distance makes me realize what a great opportunity I was given and how lucky I was to live in Australia while performing research. During these nine weeks working with the grid computing tools developed in Melbourne, I learned how technology plays a role in advancing science. For example, we used computer science to get an accurate estimate of the binding energy between a receptor site and a tumor suppressor.
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| Di Fiore at an Australian rules football game. |
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| An aboriginal art dislay. |
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Without international collaboration between chemists and computer scientists, many scientific topics like this one could not be investigated in-depth. This program opened my eyes to the importance of collaboration and strong international relationships between both of these sciences. Through my project, I linked technology developed in Australia to research in Zurich by using resources in places along the Pacific Rim, like San Diego. It was amazing to be a part of this network and combine tools across the world to advance my work.
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| Luna Park in St. Kilda on a sunny Sunday afternoon. It was one of Di Fiore's favorite spots. |
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However, it was not just the international networking that impressed me. I learned that it is just as important to build personal relationships internationally as well. I had not only the chance to work with bright minds here, but also to create friendships with many of these people.These personal ties will allow research to continue even when I am back in San Diego. When I communicate with researchers in Australia, I know that the relationship we established will help our research progress and will keep our work going.
I am so lucky to have been able to participate in such a wonderful program. The effect it had on me will continue to influence my decisions and contributions to research in the future. I encourage students to go explore the globe and be apart of the international experience.
Goodbye from the field!
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| Di Fiore gives her final presentation at Monash University. |
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| PRIME students pose for a group picture during a train ride to a Gold Rush museum. |
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Di Fiore studied at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia. |
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