Life Experiences Relevant To Evolutionary Medicine
Relevant Life Experiences in Evolutionary Medicine
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Relevant Life Experiences in Evolutionary Medicine
Every student has their eyes peeled for the albino squirrel as they walk through the beautiful University of Texas streets in Austin. The albino squirrel tale, on the other hand, is nothing more than a genetic aberration that has slipped through the gaps of evolutionary selection. Albinism is a genetic defect that causes a total or partial loss of pigmentation in the affected species, as well as the inability to manufacture melanin, the chemical responsible for the expression of eye, skin, and hair color. Furthermore, albinism is an autosomal recessive characteristic that enhances the risk of getting melanoma and other skin cancers in mammals. Both parents must, however, be carriers of the gene. How can a disorder like albinism avoid evolutionary forces and render people unable while natural selection and other evolutionary mechanisms are continuously at work?
My interest in evolutionary medicine was prompted by this perspective. All of the implications of evolutionary research in discovering and combating hereditary diseases caught my curiosity. To satisfy my curiosity, I began working as an undergraduate research assistant in Dr. Thomas Jeunger’s lab, collecting data on evolutionary indicators in leaves in order to assess the influence of biotic stressors on different arabidopsis ecotypes. I took Dr. Juenger’s evolution course the semester before I joined his lab.
Furthermore, as populations have spread around the globe, environmental changes have had an impact on certain pigmentation genes. As a result, environmental stimuli and selection pressures are all-powerful factors that influence genetic expression and reveal information about specific situations. The significance of the environment on the phenomenon drove me to work as an environmental scientist at SNM2R, LLC. I was in charge of evaluating and rewriting Phase I Environmental Site Assessments’ environmental reports on historical use and socioeconomic implications. At the Port of Houston, I also assisted in the collection of soil and storm-water samples for environmental risk factor analysis.
Although I have yet to locate the fabled albino squirrel, its condition sheds light on the relationship between evolution and medicine as it pertains to genetics. In addition, my employment at SNM2R has given me tremendous professional experience and given me the opportunity to lead environmental change. With my continuous work alongside the specialists at SNM2R, I wish to reduce environmental damage in any way I can.
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