Scott Santibanez introduced his series on 5 Characteristics You Probably Didn't Know to Look for in a Mentor with the below request for advice and a consideration of Someone Who Differs From Your Preconceived Notions. Dear Dr. S, I am an incoming medical/public health student. I recently read one of your papers. From your faculty profile, I see you've pursued a career that integrates many of the things that I want to do! I'd love to meet to explore potential opportunities and discuss any career advice you think would … [Read more...] about Characteristics of a Good Mentor: A Doer, Life Experience
decision making
Science in Review: Decision-Making A Long Time Ago and in a Future Not Far Away
I introduced my reflections on the AI and Christianity essay series by J. Nathan Matias et al with a quote from Star Wars, so it is fitting (if thoroughly unplanned) to return to a galaxy far, far away to conclude my thoughts on the topic. The following will have some spoilers for The Last Jedi, but after I saw it I realized its themes were too relevant to pass up. While there is no AI per se in the film, the story is all about decisions, who gets to make them, and how they get made. In that sense, it overlaps strongly … [Read more...] about Science in Review: Decision-Making A Long Time Ago and in a Future Not Far Away
Do You Want to Be a Doctor?
"I want to be a doctor. How do I do it?" As a teenager, I was very shy and very awkward. Talking to strangers was a painful and anxiety-laden task, and I didn't like to talk to strangers any longer than necessary. So when a pediatrician asked me, at a routine office visit, if I had any questions, I surprised myself by blurting out, "I want to be a doctor. How do I do it?" I had never seen the same pediatrician twice, mainly because most of them were residents-in-training. This one was caught off-guard by the … [Read more...] about Do You Want to Be a Doctor?