Field Dispatch #1: What an Adventure!
by Becky Nichols
May 31, 2005

I can’t believe I’m really going to Madagascar this summer! It was amazing how everything just fell into place. I’ve always been interested in zoo, wildlife, or even conservation medicine, so I was hoping that I’d be able to get involved in something along those lines for the summer. A professor gave me the names of a bunch of people to contact, and Luke Dollar emailed back, “Sure! I’m looking for a couple of assistants.” I was so excited! It sounded perfect – not only would I get to help out with the fossa research, I’d also get to see what Dr. Julie Pomerantz, a real conservation veterinarian, actually does.

But first I had to find some funding. Fortunately there’s this program at the University of Tennessee called Center of Excellence, where they pay students to do research with faculty members over the summer. I talked with Dr. Patton in Parasitology, and she was willing to sign on as my faculty mentor. I somehow managed to piece together and submit a proposal, which was accepted! I got the email between classes, and sat through the next hour of Physiology thinking “I’m going to Madagascar!” The COE funding didn’t cover everything, but my parents were able to help out a lot. It still didn’t feel real until I bought my plane ticket – there’s no going back after that! This really feels like the adventure of a lifetime!