E.J. Leavitt | Using the Tools

Using the Tools

E.J. Leavitt 

As my time began here at Southern Utah University, I believe that I had a basic grasp of the life sciences – mostly thanks to the great science teachers that taught me in middle and high school. For instance, I knew relatively well what organelles were in a cell, and that a single leaf carries an array of pigments that are each responsible for the changing colors that we see during the autumn season. Although these series of facts were useful to me, however, they were more like the tools that a growing child might see in the family garage – potentially useful, but without first acquiring the confidence and skill necessary to operate them, the child would likely either misuse those tools, or not use them at all. Similar to that child and the tools, I was aware of many facts and concepts, but the need to learn how to apply knowledge remained.

            Curiosity is not a characteristic that I have lacked. Long before studying at SUU, I enjoyed learning how things work. Particularly interesting to me are the many ways that living organisms operate. The structure and physiology of the living things around us are incredibly complex, and I wished to know more about how they work. My interests coming to college settled mostly on pursuing a career in medicine, and the pursuit of which has given me more than enough opportunities to satiate my curiosity. Majoring in Biology and studying the life sciences has been a wonderful way to train me to use the metaphorical tools in the garage.

            One of the most valuable insights and skills that I have learned at SUU are the methodology and communication routes used by the scientific community. Before college, I had learned about the scientific method (i.e. observing, asking a question, forming a hypothesis, making predictions, testing the hypothesis, etc.) was not very familiar with scientific journals. Originally, I had it in my mind that scientific discoveries mostly originated from an ingenious scientist slugging it out in a laboratory for months or years in the attempt to find a breakthrough. However, I was ignorant of the massive utility of collaborative work. There are scores of peer-reviewed journals and a seemingly endless supply of research articles that form the foundation of knowledge upon which scientists can chase after new findings. Although some articles have faults that have slipped through the peer-review process, scientists can critically analyze articles and results related to their research to explore and build upon the work of others.

            On that note, studying at SUU has helped me to gain an important awareness of the importance of critical thinking. There are many others like myself who enjoy learning about science-related factoids. However, also similar to myself before college, these people often fail to watch, read, and learn facts, opinions, and events with a grain of salt. Claims are often made on TV, the internet, and other places that fail to provide any legitimate sources (which relates to a new pet peeve of mine: the proliferation of fake news and conspiracy theories on social media feeds). 

When false claims are not analyzed critically, tragedies and otherwise negative consequences may occur. For example, Andrew Wakefield’s retracted 1998 study that linked vaccines and autism had been accepted by many groups of parents and other individuals. This led to increases in the unvaccinated population (due in part to “anti-vaxxers”) and of otherwise preventable measles outbreaks, which have cost lives and millions of dollars in health care and research costs (AOL 2011). If Wakefield’s results and methodology were more closely examined by the public, many of the aforementioned consequences could have been avoided. Thus, my biggest insight on how scientists work and think about the world is the dire need to think and work critically.

            Next year, I will begin my studies in medical school. Over the next several years, I will learn many new concepts and practice a plethora of medical techniques – many of them involving high stakes if performed incorrectly. Science will play a part in my world in that I will need to read and learn from other professionals regarding what works and what does not. While reading medical journals and discussing procedures and medications with my colleagues, I will need to utilize critical thinking, applying my knowledge of biochemistry, anatomy, physiology, and other applicable topics to sort out good solutions from the bad ones. Although I may not be actively involved in research during my career, it will be essential to keep up with research and results regarding procedures and medications that I may or may not prescribe for my patients. The skills that I have acquired here at SUU – the capacity to apply knowledge and think critically – will be crucial for the success of my career, the safety of my future patients, and for the benefit of the communities around me.

AOL Editors. 2011. The autism vaccine fraud: Dr. Wakefield’s costly lie to society. AOL. Retrieved October 28, 2016 from http://www.aol.com/article/2011/01/12/autism-vaccine-fraud-wakefield-cost-money-deaths/19793484/?gen=1