Post 8: A Subject you enjoyed studying this semester

The subject that I liked  this semester is organic chemistry I, because before I didn´t know much about organic compounds and when I understood that each procedure had a reason and a logical explanation, everything made sense to me.

The thing that most surprised me about this subject was the ability to create an organic compound from thousands of possible paths, since depending on the conditions and disposition of the materials, you can choose which path to take to carry out the procedure.

In order to understand the classes it is necessary a lot imagination, since we must understand how a compound is formed and also how it breaks. In the classes of reactions of alkanes, alkenes and alkynes for example, understanding the reasons for their reaction mechanisms is important to predict the majority formation of one product, instead of another. At first, it was difficult for me to imagine it, but over time I could see it more easily. I feel like I learned a lot from this subject and I hope to learn more.

Post 7: An Expert on your Field

When we asked Dr. Claudia Durán for an interview about science project on Alzheimer's disease at school, she accepted and we went to the Institute of Biomedical Neuroscience at the University of Chile in order to meet her personally. I remember that she was very polite and patient with us when answering the questions, that made me think that scientists are not different from us. When she introduced us the laboratory, I felt that I was in another world and when she invited us a coffee, she encouraged us to study what we wanted and not to be afraid of studying a scientific career.

She is a Biologist, did a Master on Science with a mention in Immunology from the University of Chile and an doctorate in Biomedicine. She specialized in the evaluation of neuropathological and clinical characteristics of neurodegenerative disorders, especially the Alzheimer's disease. In the present, she is a researcher at the Institute of Biomedical Neurosciences and a director at the Professional Corporation for Alzheimer and other Dementias (COPRAD).

She is currently working on the search for effective therapies against the neurodegenerative pathologies and aging, through animal models. In addition to identifying biomarkers for early detection of Alzheimer´ disease.

Post 6: A Band / Singer I like

My favorite singer is Aurora Aksnes, since she with her voice and music make me travel to another world full of life. When I heard her song called "Running with the wolves" in a random day, I knew that she felt the music in its true form.She was born in Norway, she is a pop and folk music artist, however, what brought me closer to her was her biography.
She was shy since that she was little and her parents thought that her classmates were going to tease her because of her peculiar personality and her strange way of dressing. "She looked like me," I thought when I found it.
My favorite song is "Runaway", every time I want to be away from the world I listen to it and close my eyes. It is great that by chance I met this fantastic artist, I´m very happy that I did.

Post 5: A photograph I like

My pretty cat

I decided to talk about this photo because it recorded a moment of the life of my cat and seeing it now makes me smile. I remember taking that photo two years ago, when my cat was asleep with the sunlight on his body, because he loved the warmth of the sun on his fur. I think that a photo keeps alive the soul of those who are no longer with us, as in the case of my cat who died a few months after this photo of taken.
The truth is that at present day I miss his presence, his meows and his caresses that woke me up every morning. I have many photos of my cat, but I like this photo because I feel peace when I see it and I think that he will be this calm in a better place, playing and sleeping when he wants. My cat was not only a pet, but also a friend that I will always love.

Post 4: My Best Friend

First of all, I have few friends whom I can be myself. My best friend is my present boyfriend. Still I remember when we met fourteen years ago, when we were little children playing together. We lived in the same street and my grandmother invited him to play in my house. I remember that I was shy with him because he was very extroverted and it was overwhelming for me.
When I was seven years old he moved out of his house and I didn´t see him again for a long time. In the school we saw each other again and as time passed we became best friends.
I consider him my best friend because I can tell him everything and he always supports me. I love it!
I smile when I remember the day he hugged me while I was crying about a problem with my family. I don´t know what would have become of me without him...Thank you very much!

Post 3: My Favorite Piece of Technology

My favourite piece of Technology is my current mobile phone. I bought it two years ago and it is very important for me, because I used the savings of the year. I depend on my cell phone in many things, for example, I use it many times to talk to my family and friends, to see the classes of my university and to entertain myself. I use it all the time, I can´t be without it. I like how attentive it is, because every time I see the recommendations it gives me are things that I like. I can´t imagine a life without it, but if I had to let it go for a good cause I would accept.

Post 2: Why did you choose your career / study programm?

When I was a child I dreamed of being that was many things in the future. One day I wanted to be a doctor, another astronaut or career in a zoo. However, I remember that admired the handwriting of the authors of my books and I wished to be like them. In the moment of deciding my career I was undecided, because I did not know if a scientific career was for me and I loved to write I was child. My mom and my friends encouraged me. I thank them very much!

Finally, I decided to study biochemistry. My experience in the university until now has been unique and a big challenge in my life. When I finish my career, I would like to work in neurodegenerative diseases, specifically about the disease of Alzheimer. Also, I would like to write in my free time and in my old age.