Monday, May 28, 2012
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Here’s a story to add to my list of things I hope I never have to do again (but am glad I did).
My friend, the other EuroScholar here at the University of Geneva, is working at a neuroscience lab. They are currently conducting research that uses fMRIs to study the mechanisms behind recognition of faces and emotions. And they needed participants. So, as a fellow researcher I offered up my brain for inspection.
Essentially, an fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) produces a picture of your brain by measuring the change of oxygen in your blood flow with a giant magnetic scanner. How is this picture taken? Well let me tell you …
After removing anything and everything that might be the slightest bit metallic on and in my body, I entered the room where THE scanner was located. My eyes immediately focused on the cylindrical slot that seemed to be an auspiciously perfect size for a human body. Yes, I was going to somehow be inserted into this slot. Like a plug into an outlet.
I laid down on a gurney type bed and put earplugs in and headphones on; conveniently heavy enough that it was more than difficult to lift up my head. Electrodes were put on two of my fingers so they could measure how much I was sweating and see how unnecessarily nervous I was. Two-thirds of my body was then graciously draped with a soft blanket and I found myself getting pretty comfortable. Until they put a plastic cage over my head.
I was given a panic button in case I, for any reason, wanted to esca-I mean stop participating in the study. The researchers had me test the button and not only did it work but the sound that triggered was what I imagined to be equivalent to the alarm system of the National Treasury. Which was comforting. I also had a keypad that I would use for the actual study.
I was then raised up and inserted into the ominous hole. The cage around my head ironically prevented me from realizing how claustrophobic the situation was. There was a mirror on my muzzl- I mean helmet that allowed me to view the screen that I would be looking at. Maybe I was reading too many articles on Space-X (happy lift-off!) but I likened myself to an astronaut being sent into space. And then the researchers left the room and shut the lights off and there were no stars.
As I lay inside this contraption, relatively immobile, save for enough space to itch my nose, I questioned how it was that I ended up in this situation. All in the name of science, I suppose.
After doing some preliminary tests it was time to turn on the beast. The machine whistled a merry tune and then started singing a song I have never heard before. A mix of sounds ensued that put dub step breakdowns to shame. Sounds that could only have been produced in one other place- Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory. I kid you not. I questioned whether my brain was being scanned or if I had finally found the secret to everlasting gobstoppers- the human brains’ magnetic energy. I could only lay on my gurney and look up at the mirror on my helmet projecting soothing images of snow-capped mountains and lush rainforests.
Anyways, enough about my overreactions and hyperbolic thoughts ... I was shown images and had to determine whether the faces were male, female or “ce n’est pas un visage" by pressing the buttons on my keypad. Sounds relatively easy but was actually quite challenging…and not because I’m a Gender Studies major. We did five runs of this for about five minutes each and then one last test that showed sporadically repeating images that I had to identify. I found myself getting competitive- wanting to prove how good my brain was.
And then I found out those tests have nothing to do with the actual experiment and are just to make sure I focus on the pictures. Ha.
But in all seriousness I was only in the scanner for about 30 minutes. The researchers were more than caring, amazing and professional. And I, a bit overdramatic and sometimes too sarcastic.
And then I was paid 50 francs. Yes, all in the name of science.
My friend, the other EuroScholar here at the University of Geneva, is working at a neuroscience lab. They are currently conducting research that uses fMRIs to study the mechanisms behind recognition of faces and emotions. And they needed participants. So, as a fellow researcher I offered up my brain for inspection.
Essentially, an fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) produces a picture of your brain by measuring the change of oxygen in your blood flow with a giant magnetic scanner. How is this picture taken? Well let me tell you …
After removing anything and everything that might be the slightest bit metallic on and in my body, I entered the room where THE scanner was located. My eyes immediately focused on the cylindrical slot that seemed to be an auspiciously perfect size for a human body. Yes, I was going to somehow be inserted into this slot. Like a plug into an outlet.
I laid down on a gurney type bed and put earplugs in and headphones on; conveniently heavy enough that it was more than difficult to lift up my head. Electrodes were put on two of my fingers so they could measure how much I was sweating and see how unnecessarily nervous I was. Two-thirds of my body was then graciously draped with a soft blanket and I found myself getting pretty comfortable. Until they put a plastic cage over my head.
I was given a panic button in case I, for any reason, wanted to esca-I mean stop participating in the study. The researchers had me test the button and not only did it work but the sound that triggered was what I imagined to be equivalent to the alarm system of the National Treasury. Which was comforting. I also had a keypad that I would use for the actual study.
I was then raised up and inserted into the ominous hole. The cage around my head ironically prevented me from realizing how claustrophobic the situation was. There was a mirror on my muzzl- I mean helmet that allowed me to view the screen that I would be looking at. Maybe I was reading too many articles on Space-X (happy lift-off!) but I likened myself to an astronaut being sent into space. And then the researchers left the room and shut the lights off and there were no stars.
As I lay inside this contraption, relatively immobile, save for enough space to itch my nose, I questioned how it was that I ended up in this situation. All in the name of science, I suppose.
After doing some preliminary tests it was time to turn on the beast. The machine whistled a merry tune and then started singing a song I have never heard before. A mix of sounds ensued that put dub step breakdowns to shame. Sounds that could only have been produced in one other place- Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory. I kid you not. I questioned whether my brain was being scanned or if I had finally found the secret to everlasting gobstoppers- the human brains’ magnetic energy. I could only lay on my gurney and look up at the mirror on my helmet projecting soothing images of snow-capped mountains and lush rainforests.
Anyways, enough about my overreactions and hyperbolic thoughts ... I was shown images and had to determine whether the faces were male, female or “ce n’est pas un visage" by pressing the buttons on my keypad. Sounds relatively easy but was actually quite challenging…and not because I’m a Gender Studies major. We did five runs of this for about five minutes each and then one last test that showed sporadically repeating images that I had to identify. I found myself getting competitive- wanting to prove how good my brain was.
And then I found out those tests have nothing to do with the actual experiment and are just to make sure I focus on the pictures. Ha.
But in all seriousness I was only in the scanner for about 30 minutes. The researchers were more than caring, amazing and professional. And I, a bit overdramatic and sometimes too sarcastic.
And then I was paid 50 francs. Yes, all in the name of science.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Salut!
I am currently sitting on the terrace (roof) of my apartment building overlooking the beautiful Salève mountain. Unreal. The weather is beyond beautiful here which is definitely not conducive to productivity. Thankfully my research is somewhat flexible in that I can do it anywhere I can bring my laptop (and usually if there’s wifi when I need it!). Geneva is getting to be more amazing each day and I’m afraid that it will be even more difficult to leave in June.
I traveled to Neuchâtel last week to meet with my professor. It was so great to get in person feedback on the work I have been doing for the past month and a half. The department I am working under at the University of Geneva has allocated me some funding to travel to Neuchâtel more often which will definitely be great- it’s pretty lonely all by myself in my adult office.
I have finished collecting data on family leave policies from about 42 countries and am now in the process of converting that qualitative data into quantitative data to be put into an SPSS (an amazing yet sometimes overwhelming statistics program) dataset. It’s proving to be quite tedious as each country’s policies are so different and it is sometimes not beneficial to water down the data so that there is one common variable that applies to most of the other countries…but I’m working on it. Ah! Ladybug just flew onto my sunglasses. Beautiful. Yet at the same time alarming. Digression, sorry.
Anyways, my two French classes are almost over- only about 3 more classes left! I am increasingly freaking out over my two finals –one next week and the other the week after that- although I think I might be the only person in my class who is as I am the only person who is taking the classes for credit (the rest just need an attestation which is basically a certificate saying they took the course). My final oral French presentation is next week and I do not hesitate when I say that I really do not want to do it…but I have no choice. Although I have to say that I am happy I was able to choose my own topic- my research! It’s been great learning how to say what I’ve been studying for the past 3 months in proper French…now I just need to be able to convey it other people.
Aside from all my studious activities…I was able to travel to Sevilla, Spain to visit some of my amazing Clark friends who are studying there (and who also came to visit me)!- although their program ends tomorrow-ah!
Needless to say, it. Was. Incredible. I went with my friend who was doing some travelling after her program in London ended as well as two of my friends from my University here. The week we went was Feria which is this giant festival that happens once a year. 
The women wear traditional dresses 
and there are horse-drawn carriages 
and dancing 
and you basically get transported back in time and then realize that yes, this is reality and you are in Spain. Amidst all the dancing, tapas, bull fighting (yeah, right…didn’t go), river strolls, churros and gardens, it was so nice to see all my friends (cue cheesy prime time TV background music). But really it was such a comfort to see everyone and know that 1. They were all alive (not that I ever thought the contrary) and 2. That they were having an amazing time and 3. To be infinitely jealous that they were living in Sevilla (a cafe for 1.20 euros…unfair). 
Side note: a few of us went to a soccer-sorry, a futball match- which was definitely an experience to say the least. May I say that for the first time in my life the line for the women’s bathroom was at LEAST ten times shorter than that of the men’s. AND there were three male bathrooms for every one female bathroom. I kid you not. At halftime-key word halftime, as I walked by the winding line of males jumping up and down (exaggeration) I literally vocalized my amazement to no one as I waited behind TWO, yes two, women. Amazing. Just amazing. Although startlingly short female restroom lines may be the only benefits of such a male dominated activity. That and ….no, no, can’t think of anything else at the moment. Anyways our team, Sevilla Betis tied against Atletico Madrid in an epic last 5 minutes where Madrid scored. Horrible. But amazing. The range of emotions that were experienced throughout the game was just incredible. The passion and anger that surfaced was great to watch and I reveled in the fact that I somehow got caught up in it as well. BETTIIIISSSSS (We also all bought flags). 
And lastly- need to get going, my face is on fire from this ridiculous sunlight (seriously. It’s 6:30pm. Switzerland, who knew?)- my trip to Stirling Scotland! To visit two of my other lovely Clark friends who are studying there. Ok, fast recap. Stirling! 
Dumyat-amazing hill we hiked. Again, not reality. 
Edinburgh! 
Stranded in Edinburgh! But! Hostels everywhere!Particularly this one with seriously painted walls. 
Highlands!! (note same clothes...) 
Lake Loch Ness (with monster) 
Alors, I must go now. À bientôt!
I am currently sitting on the terrace (roof) of my apartment building overlooking the beautiful Salève mountain. Unreal. The weather is beyond beautiful here which is definitely not conducive to productivity. Thankfully my research is somewhat flexible in that I can do it anywhere I can bring my laptop (and usually if there’s wifi when I need it!). Geneva is getting to be more amazing each day and I’m afraid that it will be even more difficult to leave in June.
I traveled to Neuchâtel last week to meet with my professor. It was so great to get in person feedback on the work I have been doing for the past month and a half. The department I am working under at the University of Geneva has allocated me some funding to travel to Neuchâtel more often which will definitely be great- it’s pretty lonely all by myself in my adult office.
I have finished collecting data on family leave policies from about 42 countries and am now in the process of converting that qualitative data into quantitative data to be put into an SPSS (an amazing yet sometimes overwhelming statistics program) dataset. It’s proving to be quite tedious as each country’s policies are so different and it is sometimes not beneficial to water down the data so that there is one common variable that applies to most of the other countries…but I’m working on it. Ah! Ladybug just flew onto my sunglasses. Beautiful. Yet at the same time alarming. Digression, sorry.
Anyways, my two French classes are almost over- only about 3 more classes left! I am increasingly freaking out over my two finals –one next week and the other the week after that- although I think I might be the only person in my class who is as I am the only person who is taking the classes for credit (the rest just need an attestation which is basically a certificate saying they took the course). My final oral French presentation is next week and I do not hesitate when I say that I really do not want to do it…but I have no choice. Although I have to say that I am happy I was able to choose my own topic- my research! It’s been great learning how to say what I’ve been studying for the past 3 months in proper French…now I just need to be able to convey it other people.
Aside from all my studious activities…I was able to travel to Sevilla, Spain to visit some of my amazing Clark friends who are studying there (and who also came to visit me)!- although their program ends tomorrow-ah!
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