Inspiration: Stories about what inspires us
b"This week, we\\u2019re presenting two stories from scientists about the people and places that inspired them.\\nPart 1: Just before she leaves for her dream opportunity to teach marine science on the Red Sea, Latasha Wright gets a call that puts her plans in jeopardy.\\nPart 2: \\xa0Growing up, Sheena Cruickshank's teenage older brother inspires her love of science, but then one summer he returns from university with a lump on his arm.\\nLatasha Wright received her Ph.D. from NYU Langone Medical Center in Cell and Molecular Biology. After her studies, she went on to continue her scientific training at Johns Hopkins University and Weill Cornell Medical Center. She has co\\xadauthored numerous publications and presented her work at international and national conferences. In 2011, she joined the crew of the BioBus, a mobile science lab dedicated to bringing hands\\xadon science and inspiration to students from all socioeconomic backgrounds. The BioBus creates a setting that fosters innovation and creativity. Students are encouraged to ask questions, formulate hypotheses, and design experiments. Through the BioBus, Latasha was able to share her love of science with a new generation of potential scientists. Everyday that she spends teaching students about science in this transformative environment helps her remember that science is fun. She loves sharing the journey of discovery with students of all ages. In 2014, the BioBus team launched an immersive, un\\xadintimidating laboratory space called the BioBase, a community laboratory model. At the BioBase students are encouraged to explore their scientific potential through in\\xad-depth programming and hands\\xad-on experimentation. Latasha has lead the efforts in establishing this community laboratory model, and hopes to build on its success in other communities. The efforts of the BioBus\\u2019 team to promote science \\xa0 education to all communities in New York City has been recognized by numerous news outlets, including the WNYC science radio program Hypothesis. Additionally, Latasha has been featured as NY1\\u2019s New Yorker of the Week. \\xa0 \\nSheena Cruickshank graduated in Biochemistry and Immunology from the\\xa0 University of Strathclyde and did a PhD in Immunology with Cancer\\xa0 Research UK at the University of Leeds. She is now an immunology\\xa0 Professor\\xa0 in the University of Manchester and also is their University Academic\\xa0 Lead for Public Engagement. Her research aims to understand how the\\xa0 immune response distinguishes harm from benefit e.g. parasitic\\xa0 infections versus the friendly bacteria that live in and\\xa0 on our bodies. She has a focus on using her research to help develop\\xa0 tools to improve patient diagnosis and management. Sheena is passionate\\xa0 about communicating her research with the public and her public\\xa0 engagement work is very closely linked to her research.\\xa0 She co-developed resources to help educate about parasite infections\\xa0 and their impact with a set of resources called \\u201cthe Worm Wagon\\u201d and\\xa0 focuses on enabling access to science for non-native English speakers.\\xa0 She also co-developed a UK nationwide citizen science\\xa0 project to understand allergies and the impacts of pollution\\xa0 (@BritainBreathing). She was a AAAS Leshner Fellow and has received\\xa0 awards and commendations for her outreach from organisations such as the\\xa0 Royal Society of Biology, BBSRC and NCCPE and has presented\\xa0 her work in the media including the radio and television.\\xa0 \\xa0\\n\\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices"