Rice-Baylor merger promises unparalleled opportunities

Copied from the Rice Thresher at: http://bit.ly/2KBoHi

On March 26, Rice students received an e-mail formally announcing discussions of a possible merger between the university and Baylor College of Medicine. As the Houston Chronicle noted, these were “serious discussions that could lead to a merger of the state’s top private university and one of the country’s best medical schools.” Roughly two weeks ago, President David Leebron and BCM’s Interim President William Butler issued a second e-mail detailing an extension of the initial memorandum of understanding to continue the possibility of a merger.

In the intervening six months, a report on academic possibilities was released by a joint committee of Rice and BCM faculty, concluding numerous points. From a research perspective, the proposed merger offers many advantages. The Academic Committee Report highlights the potential for collaborations between BCM’s pharmacology department and Rice’s chemistry department, a concentration of expertise in neuroscience at both institutions and a possibility of exploring fields previously outside the scope of each individual institution. With significant public interest in national health policy and large federal investments in health information technology, there are many possibilities at the interface of engineering and healthcare beyond the capabilities of individual faculty members.

In addition to research collaboration, the merger also offers the potential for educational advancement. In certain respects, graduate education at Rice lags behind its undergraduate education. Our affiliation with BCM could segway into improved graduate education: With leading graduate programs in the biomedical sciences as well as prominent faculty in ethics, medical humanities and international health, BCM’s integration with Rice would not simply expand our graduate opportunities – it would herald an exponential growth.

Last week’s Thresher questioned whether or not the merger was needed for collaboration (“Concerns voiced over BCM merger,” Oct. 2). Given the close relationship between Rice and Baylor, don’t current and prior collaborations describe the most involvement we’ll ever see?

Well, no. While we cannot predict the future, I do not believe the past can describe the full diversity of possibilities available in the future. Yes, there have been collaborations, but these projects have been the results of individual investigators seeking collaboration and advice as opposed to any institutional initiative.

What can Rice and BCM collectively do to encourage dialogue and collaboration? This is precisely the question the Academic Committee now seeks to answer, as its report presents the possibility for paid, cross-institution integration sabbaticals and innovation grants.

There are substantive questions that still need to be answered, and one of the most pressing issues is that of financial concerns. While there are certainly challenges to be addressed, they are not insurmountable. In the fiscal year 2008, Rice had an endowment worth $4.67 billion and spent $202 million of it – about 4 percent – to cover the operating costs. During that time, BCM had an endowment worth $1.09 billion and spent $59 million of it – about 5 percent – but according to statements available online, also had a $67 million deficit in fiscal year 2008. BCM has also had a budget deficit for the past five years.

Despite these vast numbers, these values are arguably nominal for institutions of such size and prestige. That year, BCM had operating costs of $1.14 billion and an operating revenue of $1.062 billion (a difference of only 6 percent). Even without Rice’s involvement, there would still be quite a few years before BCM becomes insolvent.

One of the greatest potential benefits for Rice is the opportunity for an outside source of revenue, and in turn, external sustainability. Rice is currently heavily dependent upon its endowment, with investments accounting for almost 45 percent of university revenue, and could be particularly vulnerable in times of economic distress. On the other hand, only 5 percent of BCM’s operating costs comes from its endowment, and even if its endowment were used to cover the budget shortfall, the operating costs would rise to only 12 percent.

In summary, Rice is neither Amherst College, a liberal arts institute lacking in graduate education, nor Washington University in St. Louis, where medical emphasis seems to overshadow undergraduate education. Rice is a truly unique institution: a small research university that is able to achieve distinction in so many disciplines. Rice will undoubtedly follow its own path and, in planning for its future, must play to its own strengths.

And one of our greatest strengths is our proximity to one of the largest medical centers in the world, and BCM.

David Ouyang is a Baker College senior.

Summer 2009

Wow. Its been a long time since I felt the urge to write. And even longer since I decided to write on this blog. Time for an update of Summer 2009!

This summer has been going by really fast, in part due to amazing people, interesting work, and great weather. I really like the Bay Area. Fingers crossed for 4+ more years here? I am working in Wendell Lim’s lab. Quite an amazing lab, they do lots of really good work using synthetic biology to understand signal transduction. Their paper was showing that a scaffold protein (which have no catalytic domain and is thought just to bring to key players together) plays an active role in regulated the yeast MAP kinase cascades. Anyways, before I get distracted on a supernerdy tangent, I just want to say I’m having a great time and im totally impressed by all the smart, insightful, and HELPFUL people here.

Anyways, the poeple in the SRTP program are pretty awesome. They are such a hardworking and passionate bunch – really puts me to shame and makes me want to work harder. Yesterday, we got back to SF from Amgen conference in LA at 4PM and people started organizing a bus to drop us off at Mission Bay. After an action packed weekend, Myron, Laura, Nick, and etc were energetic enough and motivated enough to keep going to work. That totally energized me, and I ended up working for 3 more hours, leaving at eight. That is what I love about this program – that people are so motivated and ambitious. They will really go far in life. I want to be part of a community of such amazing poeple.

Speaking about amazing poeple, this past weekend was the Amgen Scholars Symposium. It was a pretty amazing experience, with important industry leaders such as Joe Miletich (the senior VP of R&D at Amgen) and academic giants such as Owen Witte (HHMI and NAS professor at UCLA). Everyone there was so helpful – offering advice and suggestions about what a career in science and medicine means.  My take-home conclusion has been that you have to enjoy where you are – regardless where you are, and don’t try to plan too far in the future. Have faith in God/chance/luck/yourself, and simply seize the opportunities before you. (In a similar vein, I am reminded of this essay by Paul Graham.) The greatest people, in looking back, had no idea their lives would turn out the way it did, and simply did what they enjoyed. I was really happy to hear this, and want to structure my life that way.

This summer, I am really taking time to enjoy what I am doing, just chilling out, doing work that I am passionate about, and trying not to think too often about what is ahead in the horizon. Too often in the past, I had the mentality of “head down and plow through this” instead of stopping to smell the roses. In high school, I was “Aite, lets get through SATs and all this junk. If I sacrifice now, I can chill out in college.” Then, in an abrupt about-face, in college, I was “OK. I’ll just dominate MCAT and hurdles, I’ll find more time to relax in med school.” How short-sighted am I? What’s next, hardcore through med school, so I can “chill” in residency? Life is a journey, and its quite a beautiful and exciting one at that.

This summer is the epitome of my new perspective. I had no problem with hard work – but I’m staying late and occasionally coming in on weekends not to push a objective; but because I enjoy it. I am spending more time just chilling out with poeple; after all interaction with people is the root of my medical ambitions. This summer is really cool, chilling out with SRTP people and even getting to hang out with TAMS people (Dustin is at Google and Paul/JJ are at Berkeley. Jeff is coming up this weekend?). I went bull riding in LA! I have an awesome video. Haha. Before I go to med school, I want to: Work for a company (I don’t think I’ll ever have a stereotypical cubical job as a physician), travel around the world (will it ever become anything more than a blue sky dream?), play more bball (finally be able to touch the rim), and do more stuff with MUN (gah, every time I talk with a debator/person interested in policy, I am reminded how much I miss policy debate).

Synthetic Biology: Engineering Biological Systems

by: David Ouyang and Dr. Jonathan Silberg

from: Snapshots in Research, Volume 2 (Spring 2009) —
Abstract

Recent advancements in molecular biology and biochemistry allow for a new field of bioengineering known as synthetic biology. Using biological parts discovered in the last thirty years and mathematical models grounded in physical principles, synthetic biology seeks to create biological systems with user-defined behaviors. The major focus of research in this emerging field is the characterization of genetic regulation and the abstraction of biological systems to clearly defined logic circuits. With the abstraction of individual DNA sequences to known biological functions, synthetic biologists seek to create a standard list of interchangeable biological parts as the foundation of this emerging field. Through genetic manipulation, these parts are expected to be useful for programming biological machines that process information, synthesize chemicals, and fabricate complex biomaterials that improve our quality of life.

http://catalyst.rice.edu/archives/43

Hmmm. Random Goals.

OK. After I get into Med School, I want to:
1. Run a marathon.
2. Get a girlfriend.
3. Play Starcraft 2.
4. Lounge around in my boxers for a whole day.
5. Learn to play a new instrument.
6. Plan my Around The World Expedition. See previous posts.

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

Whew.

What an exhilarating week. Volunteering at Reliant Park, PChem test, Volunteering at HHH, write proposal, turn in Goldwater application, and Biochemistry test. I’ve noticed I am the happiest when I am busy. And I guess you can say I was really happy this week! I really don’t know what to do with myself when I am not occupied. But that’s beside the point. What I really wanted to write about today are my career goals. Over the last few weeks, I have been rather pensive, reevaluating my career ambitions, justifying my actions, questioning my motives. Over the course of this week, I feel so much more reassured. Through small details in daily taks and big thoughts in moments alone, this week has reaffirmed my medical ambitions. I just felt really happy doing the things I had to do this week, and I am rejuvinated in my dream to become David Ouyang, MD.

First, volunteering, I am touched by how doctors truly make a difference in people’s lives. Working with the homeless, I am amazed by how important cardiovascular health is and how our lifestyles truly need to change. Being in America, we are blessed with plenty – food is relatively cheap and easily obtainable. People aren’t malnourished, they are mis-nourished. The problem with cheap food, fastfood food, and easily obtained food is that they are cheap calories, saturated fats, and cholestrol. The paradox is that even in the homeless population, there is a high occurance of obesity, much more so than in other countries that I have been to. I attribute this directly to differences in lifestyle, society, and diet in the general public. Access to cheap food, high in saturated fats and cholestrol, is so much easier and more prevalent than access to home cooking, vegetables, and the variety of other nutritional mechanisms that require stability.

Even when dealing with belligerent clients, a polite but firm demeanor is all that is needed to get things done. I think ironic thing is I enjoy with belligerent poeple the most – in part because I can sympathize with them. The homeless is neglected. Not only in the sense of lacking material possessions or lacking proper nutrition, but to be homeless is to be constantly disrespected. People either view them with fear and rejudice, or utterly ignore them.That, I think, is the most painful. Yet they are people too. They are amazing people, with their own experiences, loves, and hates. They are God’s children. They are hard-working, polite people with simple tastes. Regardless the reason, they should be respected. This total lack of respect, utter rejection by society as a whole, on anyone would be traumatizing. If the shoe was on the other foot,  I would be more than belligerant. I would be livid if I was treated with the contempt and rejection they deal with every single day. They are so happy to just talk with me, to be treated with respect, to care for them. They tell me stories about the importance of education, as they watched me read my biochemistry book.  They talk about thier frustrations, the lack of options. After all, what can you do when you are in that kind of situation? Social mobility comes from education, and education comes only from a basis of stability. To be homeless is to be constantly frustrated, and if they need to vent, then they should. I’m just glad I am there to listen.

I’ll write more about my other experiences this week when I get back from research.

Gaaaah

Wow. I really love reading blogs. Especially about people you don’t know, so there’s no preconceptions, no first impressions, just an amazing look at the progression of someone through life. It’s amazing what people say, how much insight you get into poeple’s lives, and how amazing and/or tragic life is.

It makes me see how amazing people are. I might not know them, but I love them. Not in a romantic or emotional sense, but just an overwhelming sense of how great people are. They make me smile. Not of a particular thing they did, but the very fact that they are. Of their being. How happy I am to see them being alive. To read about thier triumphs. To hear about thier problems. To laugh at their jokes.  Reading through the blogs, you see a sense of progression – maturation, development, and growth throughout their lives. And it’s amazing. I guess its the feeling a parent would feel towards a child, but I feel such a sense of joy seeing how there is such a world out there, of loving, feeling poeple who are growing and learning.

Recently, I have been reading blogs written by physicians. Attendings, residents, med students, all these titles that I want to have in the future. It makes me think. It puts a human perspective, from the other side of the white coat. These blogs have such interesting perspectives and reveals much more about their professions and personalities than can be obtained by a transient or even long conversation. Yet it’s tragic. To see how much sometimes the medical profession takes away. Medicine takes away so much time, time away from your kids, your wife, your parents, your siblings. Medicine changes you. Molded by the harsh hours and strigent pressures, your thoughts and habits are no longer your own. Reading this blog/article and this article, I am struck by how much medicine can/will change my habits. Doctors shoulder a heavy burden, who can’t help but be changed a little by that?

Medicine is a great committment, requiring a great passion, and withstanding much pain. I understand that. One blog states it this way. “As priorities go, I think most doctors find that the only important things are God, family, and medicine. The problems come that the order of those three is often not as clear. I know several doctors and medical students who celebrated the births of their children by taking an afternoon off.” That’s scary. I’m fluid – currently in a state of flux. (On a sidenote, I think my flexibility is one of my best characteristics). I can change, am easily molded, but do I want to be? Right now, my priorities are God, family, and career. For me, will career and medicine be synonymous? Will it be hard for me to prioritize these things in the future?

I have disabled my facebook account for the following reasons: I am spending way too much time on it. I am getting lazy, I will just message poeple on it if I want to do stuff, instead of calling poeple up. It doesn’t actually help networking-wise. It’s too invasive. It’s too ego-centric, self driven.

I hope to go through 2009 without reactivating it. Time will tell.

Amazing!

Inventor’s 2020 vision: to help 1bn of the world’s poorest see better

t was a chance conversation on March 23 1985 (“in the afternoon, as I recall”) that first started Josh Silver on his quest to make the world’s poor see. A professor of physics at Oxford University, Silver was idly discussing optical lenses with a colleague, wondering whether they might be adjusted without the need for expensive specialist equipment, when the lightbulb of inspiration first flickered above his head.

What if it were possible, he thought, to make a pair of glasses which, instead of requiring an optician, could be “tuned” by the wearer to correct his or her own vision? Might it be possible to bring affordable spectacles to millions who would never otherwise have them?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2008/dec/22/diy-adjustable-glasses-josh-silver

 

 

 

25 of the Greatest Self-Made Men in American History

The idea of the self-made man is inextricably tied up with that of the American dream. It is his image that has lured thousands of immigrants to our shores, all hoping for the chance to turn a handful of beans into a vast fortune.  The self-made man is he who comes from unpromising circumstances, who is not born into privilege and wealth, and yet by his own efforts, by pulling himself up by the bootstraps, manages to become a great success in life. Frederick Douglass, a self-made man himself, said the discussion of self-made men was the discussion of “manhood itself, and this in its broadest and most comprehensive sense.”Douglass sensed that the story of the self-made man is the story of manliness personified. The self-made man harnesses and utilizes the most important masculine qualities: hard work, perseverance, and most of all, personal responsibility. The story of the self-made man embodies the goal of every man: to become the captain of his own destiny.

http://artofmanliness.com/2008/12/28/self-made-men/

Rice increases no-loan threshold to $80,000

http://www.media.rice.edu/media/NewsBot.asp?MODE=VIEW&ID=11910

Haha. I don’t know if I had any impact, but would like to think that I helped change Rice. Last year, I wrote an op-ed in the thresher (online copy here). I wrote about changes in financial aid policy at Harvard and other american universities, and what I felt Rice should do to attract more talented students.  I offered two suggestions, one of which was to increase the no-loan threshold to beyond the threshold for Dartmouth and other comparable universities, and I am pleased to say that this is finally done! . I don’t know if my article had any role in this, after all, this is a fairly no-brainer course of action, but at the very least, I helped publicize the issue to the general Rice community.

I am glad that I am taking steps to improve Rice, my community, and the world around me.  Now, if they do my other suggestion, I would be totally happy.