Tag Archives: Research

Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research

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The Michael J. Fox Foundation is a leader in funding Parkinson’s Disease research. Founded in 2000, the organization raises money and distributes it to various research institutions. Since its founding, the foundation has raised over $200 million since its founding. Founder, actor Michael J. Fox, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1990. The effects of the disease forced him to retire from acting in 2000, and he used the opportunity to help others with the disease. Fox described his diagnoses and struggles with Parkinson’s Disease in his two books: Lucky Man: A Memoir and Always Looking Up: The Adventures of an Incurable Optimist. Through it all, however, he started the foundation to help others and search for the cure. With the help of the foundation, the scientific and medical communities now know more about the disease than ever before. Today, Fox has returned to acting having appeared in a number of TV series, including a reoccurring role on CBS’s The Good Wife.

The foundations website is an excellent introduction to the disease for those just diagnosed or those interested in learning about the disease. Included on the website is a Trial Finder which allows Parkinson’s patients to located clinical trials near them. The foundation realized that an issue with raising millions of dollars was that there were not enough participants in a number of the trials it funded. The Trial Finder has given all the donations more meaning by ensuring they are put to the best use.

I have been a fan of Michael J. Fox since I was a kid. Back to the Future is still one of my favorite movies, and I support his foundation and encourage others to do so as well. There are a number of ways to help. You can give a donation directly to the foundation, join Team Fox, or shop in the foundation’s store. Either way, you are helping a great cause.

Follow the Michael J. Fox Foundation on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

COURSES: HIST 673 – Graduate Research and Writing Seminar

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Many second year students in our program have called this course the most beneficial in the program.  On the surface this course, taught by Dr. Lanier, seems terrifying.  The course has no books and requires no outside reading, but within the 15 weeks of the semester each student will write two twenty-page papers which must be written on a related topic.  Many students, such as myself, are using this as an opportunity to write two chapters of our thesis, which is the smart thing to do since we all have to write one anyway.

The course outline is pretty simple.  Each week, three students in the class turn their paper in on the Friday before the class period.  The rest of the class has the weekend to read the other student’s papers and we have to write a short review for the student and for Dr. Lanier (she just wants to be sure we are actually reading!).  In class, we just discuss the papers as a class with the students.  We offer suggestions, criticisms, and compliments.

This class is helpful in many ways.  First, we all get some experience reviewing the work of others who are writing in different fields.  Second, we are expanding our knowledge on topics that we may have no experience with.  History is very diverse and it is great to read what everyone is working on.  And that is the most important part of the course.  We get to read each other’s work.  We have been together now for a semester and we have an idea of what the others are researching, but we actually get to read and respond to the work they have done so far.  Some students have more developed ideas than others and at this point that is fine.  Others know exactly what they are writing about and have done much of the documentary research.  I, however, am somewhere in between.  I have a very solid notion of where my thesis will go and I am using this class to begin my thesis work.

Incidentally, my first paper was due yesterday and we will discuss it next week along with two other papers.  I completed and turned my paper in on Thursday, and I really do look forward to the feedback.  I have a rough idea for my second paper and for my thesis and the feedback I receive next week could change that route.  But that is not a bad thing.  It is great having 16 historically oriented and intelligent fellow historians to bounce ideas off of and receive feedback from.  I think the second year students are absolutely correct in their assessment that this course is the most beneficial since writing is at the center of graduate research.

Next week I will take a look at HIST 593 – Historic Preservation.  A great class!  Until then…

-Eric

Courses: Spring 2011

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I registered or classes back in November, but now I have my books and can give a brief descrption of each course.

HIST 593 - Historic Preservation…Mr. Darryl Nash

From the Graduate Catalog: “An introduction to the philosophy and technique of historic preservation. Course examines the Secretary of the Interior’s guidelines for restoration, state and national register forms and procedures, historic architecture, structural analysis, restoration techniques as well as the business aspects of historic preservation projects. Students undertake leadership assignments for architectural field assessments and national register nominations.”

Books: Everyday Architecture of Mid-Atlantic (By Dr. Lanier) and Twenty Buildings Every Architect Should Understand

HIST 673 - Graduate Research and Writing Seminar…Dr. Gabrielle Lanier

From the Graduate Catalog: “An intensive research and writing seminar focused on the process of conceptualizing, researching, writing and refining historical research papers grounded in primary sources. Emphasis will be on evaluation of sources, interpretation of evidence, refinement of presentation and development of professional standards of criticism. Required of all first year graduate students.”

Books: A Manual for Writers (We all know this book!!)

HIST 696 - Introduction to Public History…Dr. Gabrielle Lanier

From the Graduate Catalog: “An introduction to the varied and interdisciplinary “field” of public history – such as community/local history, historic preservation, archives, historical archaeology, museum studies, business and policy history, documentary editing and publishing, and documentary films – through readings, class discussions, occasional guest speakers, occasional field trips and an extended public history research project.”

Books: On Doing Local History, New History in an Old Museum, The Unfinished Bombing: Oklahoma City in American Memory, Domesticating History: The Political Origins of America’s House Museums, Public History: Essays from the Field, and Mickey Mouse History and Other Essays on American Memory

That is a total of nine books for the semester!  Not too bad.  I have also been given a different TA position for the semester and I will explain that in a post after I get back into the routine.  There is still some information I need to get about that.

Later this week, I will post a outline of my 2010.  It has been a life changing year!  Until then…

Eric