Hello All -

I am a freelance writer doing a short human interest piece for the Howard Hughes Medical Institute Bulletin on Rosetta at Home. What I am looking for is a glimpse into some of the volunteers (read, personalities) of what I've come to think of as armchair scientists. That is, all of you!

Phone interviews would last no more than 15-20 minutes. Or, if it's easier, I am happy to conduct interviews via e-mail. I am basically interested in how and why you got involved with Rosetta at Home, and what your experience as a volunteer has been.

I am particularly curious to talk to folks from farflung desitnations (outside the continental U.S.) OR anyone who has a quirky story to tell -- i.e. an occupatin that is completely different from his/her role as a volunteer helping to discover the mystery of protiens!

That said, I am open to hear from any volunteers, near or far, typical or atypical.

If you can spare some time for a phone or e-mail chat, please e-mail me at

lindsaymoran@hotmail.com

and we'll set something up.

I thank you all in advance for your help, and also for your work on this exciting and important project (Rosetta at Home, that is).

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I spoke to Lindsay last night. She's very easy to talk to. I would encourage you to do so.

I wanted to point out to future posters on this link, you probably want to do SOMETHING to obscure any EMail addresses mentioned. SPAM robots read the boards too, and they filter through to harvest EMail addresses and send you more SPAM. They can't get EMail addresses from your profile. Only if you post it like Keith and Lindsay just have.

Might I suggest something along the lines of this:

Remove "NOSPAMERS" from NrOoadSPieA7013M@chEarRterS.net
...a robot will never figure that out, but a person can just copy/paste and delete upper case letters.

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Add this signature to your EMail:
Running Microsoft's "System Idle Process" will never help cure cancer, AIDS nor Alzheimer's. But running Rosetta@home just might!
https://boinc.bakerlab.org/rosetta/

Removed Keith's post to protect his email address from spambots.

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Moderator6 on the job! Thanks Feet1st

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Hi Penjocky,

Let me start by saying I started this project is a result of my interests in the seti@home program. But then as I looked at all of the projects that were going on, I noticed that the Rosetta project was lacking the recourses to get much done. In my heart I knew that I had the computer background and resources to help out this project. I also did some soul searching and found that to help the present problems, was more important to me than to look for ET. I feel that Projects like this may not get you much recognition if that is what you are looking for, but for me the self gratification that I may be in some way helping my fellow man is more important. I truly look forward to the new steps in medicine and technology. It also is my hopes that this technology is used to save lives in the future and not devastation. Good luck in your interviews.


Dr. Dan

http://themorrischronicles.com

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Dan,

I'm totally in agreement with you. I think S@H or R@H success could revolutionize or make a big difference for the world. If R@H could lead to a breakthrough with malaria, that would be HUGE for Asia and the continent of Africa. Just imagine if there weren't 20 wars going on in Africa and no major diseases, if Africa were far more productive... the whole world would be elevated.

If S@H had contact, that would change people's perspectives and maybe make them less likely to make war. Maybe people would work together?

The result for R@H and other biological projects seems much closer and more tangible, and I think it is easier for the average (non-geek/nerd) to get into. I think it is more inspiring to others that the study of proteins can help cure/fight diseases.

-Bradford

Lindsay's article is now published.

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Rosetta Moderator: Mod.Sense