At OMRF, scientists spend long hours designing experiments and investigating the inner workings of disease. But they don’t live their entire lives behind a microscope. Here’s what they’re doing when they’re not in the lab.
Doing
Dr. Jana Barlic-Dicen
“When I moved to Oklahoma two years ago, I bought a house in the right location and with the right floor plan but not much else. Since then, I’ve renovated the inside almost all by myself, with some help from professionals on electrical and plumbing systems. It’s starting to look exactly the way I want it. With the insides taking shape, I’m now focusing on the outside, especially the flower beds.”
Reading
Dr. Linda Thompson
“I study cancer in the lab, but the book The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer by Siddhartha Mukherjee gave me a whole new perspective on the history of the disease. The author follows stories of cancer treatment in its early days before chemotherapy and how it developed along with other modern treatments. The book includes interviews with people who were the first to receive game-changing therapies. Their stories really bring the subject to life. It’s perfect for people who want to learn more about cancer but don’t have a scientific background.”
Watching
Dr. Kenneth Humphries
“If the TV is on at my house, I’m not really in charge. More often than not, it’s tuned to Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Yo Gabba Gabba or Ni Hao Kai-Lan, my two-year-old son Liam’s favorite cartoons. But when I get a turn with the remote control, I’m a big fan of Mythbusters. It’s not the best science in the world, but I appreciate that they look at a problem, come up with a hypothesis and try to test it. Besides, I really like watching people blow things up—for science!”
