Job Search

Well, finally, *someone* recognizes my genius. Heh, right... Anyway, after months of sending out applications (numbering somewhere between 30-50, I'm really not too sure) I've got a solid interview at Memorial Sloan Kettering. I know, it's about damn time. But my GPA isn't anything special (3.43 last semester, but everything before senior year was, well, utter shit of 2.86). I figure I'm a late bloomer type, but if I wait too long, I'll find myself in the middle of winter with nobody to pollinate. Hopefully, this is the break I've been waiting for, because if I can get into MSKCC, then I'm set for the next two years. And since they're starting up a graduate program... wow, just... wow. A Ph.D from MSK would probably be pure gold, and I've no doubt the experience would put me pretty far ahead of the competition. It's not exactly the bleeding edge for genetics research, but until Creig Venter starts teaching classes and mentoring grad-students, I really couldn't ask for too much better.

Speaking of Venter, there was an interesting peice about him the other day. Apparently, he's trying to copyright tailored organisms, and catching some flak over it. Now, normally, I'd probably agree with him; after all, tailored organisms are usually so heavily engineered that they simply can't be confused with "natural" organisms. They're creations of the mind, intellectual property. However, what does the ability to copyright an organism mean for the future? Also, if Venter's offering becomes universally used, then we would have another microsoft on our hands. My position is that any copyright issued to him would have a very short period of protection. 10 years, 15 max. But I'm not the one in control of issueing patents and copyrights, so I suppose we'll just have to wait and see how the current system manages to screw it up beyond our wildest and most cynical dreams.