24 replies to this topic

[caston]

Hello,

I'm a 25yo self-employed call-out computer technician. Recently I've become incessantly interested in anti-ageing technology esp regarding telomerase activation and stem cell research and want to find out more about SENS.

I'm thinking about just running my business part-time (for income) and studying a uni course that will help me reach my goal of staying young and living long enough to reach my other dreams of exploring space. I'm looking for a course that give me the background I need to become a useful participant in the fight against ageing.

Are there any courses you would recommend? I'm in Perth and all my customers are here so I can't really move interstate unless I got a part-time job there.
I have a Diploma in IT which could help me with entry.

Otherwise I could just try and teach myself what I need to know but I feel that wouldn't give me access to people networks and various tools and equipment and resources that I would require.

I friend of mine studied molecular genetics when we finished high school and now has a dull job in a hospital lab.

thanks,

Chris

[maestro949]

Hey Chris.

To participate directly in the science of fighting aging would likely require several years of education, full time dedication and at a good higher-ed institution. Its a tough decision but unless you are very serious about starting over by going back to school full time, I would recommend you keep you day job and look for other ways to make contributions. You can always study the science on the side and help advance public perception, donate and raise funds for scientific research, participate in advancing ideas and the community of likeminded individuals, etc.

As far as being tapped in, you are connected to the internet. By far the best research tool and access to people one can have!

At this point you have 50 or so years of life. 1/3 you'll be asleep, 1/3 you'll be at work. Subtract out all your other time for sustenance and that leaves you about 8-12 years worth of little slices of time to make a difference. Come up with a plan to use it judiciously and you may make a dent in the progress.

[stephen]

I friend of mine studied molecular genetics when we finished high school and now has a dull job in a hospital lab.

And that's a huge problem with a lot of basic science majors... like maestro949 says, the body of knowledge is so large that years of schooling are often required to hit the "cutting edge" and engage in research.

Honestly, I think a lot of university is a waste of time... but it is critical for those of us who lack the discipline for independent study. (*Raises hand*.)

I believe it's important to unite your passions. A desire to fight aging is powerful, but it's often not "close enough" for it to be a consistent motivator. If you're interested in space travel, you might find suspended animation research (and perhaps cryonics) to be a good way to combine the two areas. I'm sure there are companies out there RIGHT NOW doing that type of research. Which is presently critical for long-term space travel (and also very valuable as an escape route for immortaists ahead of their time).

I'm not sure what you would study for that type of work... Perhaps a combination of physics & biology with a focus on fluids? If I were you... I'd find a company / lab doing that type of stuff and talk with the director. He'd be happy to give suggestions...

[caston]

I'm not really that happy with the self-employment. Although computers are everywhere (and there's hude demand to fix and integrate them) they are getting cheaper and I need to move up to managing servers and networks to justify earning an income. The problem is at the moment I tend to get called out for very simple stuff e.g. People that need a lot of hand holding and removing viruses and spyware as well as troubleshooting crap hardware. so I don't really get challenged on a technical level enough. Most of the challenges I do face are dealing with difficult customers, issues with supply chain, parts that I sell people sometimes having intermittent faults that make them difficult to RA, and trying to make a profit.

I was talking about doing a biotech related degree with my dad and he said that I would be starting again from scratch and my response was that I might be able to go further than I could with IT. My background with computers would help me especially with research and I'm sure that there are companies that would love to hire someone with both a knowledge of IT and biotech.

Aside from that I have this feeling:

I'm here right now. I'm a conscious living being (capable of business and science) sitting here at the keyboard and typing. If I do nothing I will face oblivion. I could rely on others to do all the work but i'm then there might have been something I was supposed to contribute that if I don't I will lose my one and only chance to seize the day and live my life for as long as I possibly can.

Rather than be a mere crack of light between two eternities of darkness I want to be a permanent part of this universe.

[caston]

stephen:

I know what you mean about uni sometimes being a waste of time. Most of the entrepreneurs that succeeded in the world actually dropped out of uni or never went. My brother has an idea for revolutionising transport and he was talking about mixing and matching 2 degrees that would give him the knowledge to do it but of course it would also cover a lot of stuff that was completely unrelated and complicate his life with a lot of assignments and deadlines.

You can't really do a course that will teach you how to do something no one has ever done before but it should help you with background information.

I'm sort of being lazy here because I haven't gone and looked up the courses on offer here but I was wondering if anyone in the know already knew what courses had the most relevant content. I will look them up myself tomorrow as its a bit late now and I must go to bed.

Also sometimes in society you need a piece of paper and three letters next to your name or two in front of it before you will be taken seriously.

[caston]

I sort of see crionics as a last ditch attempt and I worry about the certainity of being reanimated.

Most of my interest lies in what I can do now while I'm still young.

[maestro949]

My background with computers would help me especially with research and I'm sure that there are companies that would love to hire someone with both a knowledge of IT and biotech.

No offense, but not really. Computer Science and Biochemistry/Genetic Engineering/Physics/Microbiology perhaps but IT skills, especially at the PC level, are becoming a commodity skillset. We are going to need a lot of multi-disciplined scientists to build the next generation in-silico labrotories of the future which is why it really has to be a full time endeavor if you're going to go full hog at the science.

You are wise to eye the server market for a step up both from a challenge and skillset perspective but even it's event horizon isn't that far off. I'm not trying to discourage you but I'd seriously spend some time researching the hell out of the local job market in Perth if you're not willing to move to a larger economic hub. The latter is probably your best bet if you seriously want to take a step up.

Aside from that I have this feeling:

We all do. Many choose to simply drown it out with distractions and self deception. We've here have chosen to just fix the damn problem.

[caston]

How do these look?

http://handbook.curt.../30/301636.html

http://handbook.murd...d=b1032&-Search

http://handbook.murd...crscdhb=MOLBIOL

I may have some trouble with the entry requirements though as I got a D for English in year 12 and Curtin don't accept STAT for the first course.

So I'd probably have to do some kind of english bridging course and 2 mature age TEE subjects. I don't know how they will look at my IT Diploma. I guess the best way to find out would be to ask.

I got accepted in a computer science course at Murdoch once but I didn't enroll because I was more interested in a business technology degree at the time and ended up doing a Cert IV course in small business at TAFE instead.


I remember TAFE being fantastic because you could study a unit in a course part-time then use that to get you into full-time later.

When I was thinking about going onto further study last night just as I went to bed I thought that maybe I should just do 1 unit to see if I like it before I jump into enrolling in a whole course.

I could also look into doing some units through online universities that may have lower entry requirements.

There is one that I can find but they don't seem to offer a whole degree (in this area at least) just a few units:

http://www.open.edu.au

Maybe I should act like I have all the time in the world and just go for it.

I can do a lot of research online but have to be very careful that i'm learning the science and not just the recipe.

Edited by caston, 12 June 2006 - 07:12 AM.

[caston]

What about doing a degree in bioinformatics? There's a few courses available although none in Perth that I can see as yet.

[maestro949]

When I was thinking about going onto further study last night just as I went to bed I thought that maybe I should just do 1 unit to see if I like it before I jump into enrolling in a whole course.

I strongly recommend spending a fair amount of time researching and speaking to people in the field. Get a a good handle on what types of specializations exist and the jobs you would be doing in each.

What about doing a degree in bioinformatics? There's a few courses available although none in Perth that I can see as yet.

Bioinformatics has some good potential but keep this in mind - it's easier for a scientist to pick up skills in a programming language and relational db skills than it is for a computer scientist to pick up biochem, genetics, etc. Bioinformatics blends the two. Personally if I were to start today I would work towards a PhD specializing in medical biology or biomedical engineering and then make sure I took courses in biotech and bioinfo.

You need to think 8-10 years down the road and project where the job market will be. Biotech firms will increasingly be making significant investments in skillsets that combine Engineering+Systems Biology+Bioinformatics with a heavy dose of Biochemistry and Structural Biology as a foundation. Again, I'd recommend researching these fields well.

[caston]

At the end of my TAFE courses I hoped to find a job but ended up starting my own business. I would like to heavily consider (and plan) moving toward starting my own business with this career change as well.

[caston]

I went down to Murdoch today. I think I have a good chance. I'm going to study part-time at least to begin with.
I'm putting down my first choice as Molecular Biology
http://handbook.murd...crscdhb=MOLBIOL
and my second as Biotechnology
http://handbook.murd...d=b1032&-Search

They want me to write a personal statement.

I'm wondering if anyone knows what would be a good to write in one of these.
Obviously I want to do the course because I want to fight ageing but is that going to make them think I might be a crackpot to put it bluntly?

This is what I'm thinking about writing now:

* How my IT background (including constant learning and study) will help me pass the course

* How my IT background could help me with bioinformatics and areas of molecular biology that require computer systems

* How I will be continueing to work part-time in my business and I this will allow me to perfectly balance study with work because I can choose my own hours (which realisiticly means refuse to go out to a job if I have a lecture or other uni commitment)

* I'm at the right stage in my life now being 25 and know how hard it is in the world and how much a degree will benefit me

* I'm interested in helping to find cures for age related diseases


Other ideas?

Edited by caston, 19 June 2006 - 06:38 AM.

[maestro949]

I'm not sure I would state how much a degree will benefit you personally. Stress the interest level and high degree of motivation you have for a career in the field.

I don't think your IT background buys you a lot. If it were a CS background perhaps but it doesn't sound like it.

State that you are interested in the field of "biomedical gerontology" and bioinformatics and that you recognize the current and future need for skills in these fields. I wouldn't mention that you are going to work part time. Just state that you are going to school part time, at least initially.

Once established I suggest you look for grant or scholorship or even loan money if you intend to pursue this to its conclusion. The IT job has to go. Part time investment in these rapidly advancing fields will take a long time to get to a stage where you can make a significant impact.

Other Ideas? Sure - start asking about what the dept has for summer internships. You need to start building your resume while you are in school.

[caston]

Thanks maestro,

I've done a rough outline already and dumped a few ideas that I now know wouldn't help me.

Now I wondering if you had a look at the course outline for the Molecular Biology Bsc that I linked to?

I didn't see any mention of gerontology so it might not look so good if I say "Oh I'm going to do part of this course then go and study something different". It may work out well in the real world but I don't think I should actually write that. But then again I'm not sure how they will look at it. Perhaps this will give me to right background I need to pick-up and get entry into a gerontology science?

Perhaps I should be studying something that includes gerontology but then it's less of a bioengineering and more of a health sciences / aged care thing.

Perhaps there must be much mixing and matching units and diverse online and offline learning to make a truly relevant course for immortals?

What did you study?

I went back and read one of your earlier posts again.

I found a course on biomedical science and it says that it would combine well with molecular biology.

http://handbook.murd...d=b1056&-Search

Edited by caston, 20 June 2006 - 09:31 AM.

[caston]

I'm probably going to edit my post a bit more later.

I could say I wish to study this (molecular biology) now but I want to end up with a Phd in biomedical engineering specialising in gerontology.

Edited by caston, 20 June 2006 - 09:38 AM.

[caston]

I have finished writing the personal statement but I did not include the desire to complete the Phd as I feel that at the moment they are most interested in knowing I have a desire to complete the degree.

[caston]

I can do a minor or a double major in Biomedical Science.

[maestro949]

As far as the gerontology, there are sub-fields within it. The real impact on the long-term aging fight is on the scientific end rather than the social or clinical ends.

I found a course on biomedical science and it says that it would combine well with molecular biology.

indeed, but that link didn't work.

Perhaps there must be much mixing and matching units and diverse online and offline learning to make a truly relevant course for immortals?

Oh, don't worry. You will probably need a wifi implant with dedicated internet connectivity streaming updates to your brain in real-time by the time you graduate. The data flowing out of the bio portion of the field is going to grow exponentially.

What did you study?

I have an undergrad degree in Management Information Systems. Contemplating a masters in bioinformatics or just jumping in with a biotech startup and learning the science as I go. I live near Boston where biotech jobs are a dime a dozen but few if any are working on age related products.

[caston]

I put my application in today so should hear back in about 2 weeks.

Thanks for all your help maestro.

[maestro949]

Cool. Good luck man.

[caston]

I got in!!!

Now to confirm my enrolment, select my units, buy my books and whatever else I need to do.

I'm so excited!

I'll probably double major in health science and would love to get a PhD in interventive biogerontology.

[caston]

I having trouble getting used to uni. Selecting all the tutes and working out when you have labs is a bit chaotic compared to TAFE where they just give you a timetable.
Even with only doing 3 units I'm not really going to be able to run my business much anymore as the intro to chemistry has a lot of lectures etc.

Today I accidently booked a tute that gives me a 4 hour gap! It happened because of the way I layed out my timetable and pressure from my business comitments to be in 2 places at once while I was a bit stressed about not being able to find the building where I was supposed to sign up then when I got there the one I wanted was already taken. Hopefully I will be able to get it changed tomorrow. I already e-mailed my lecturer about it. He had prior to this been quick to get back to me about a previous query.

I don't know anyone there. So far we just go into massive lectures. There's a lot of attractive girls but of course you can't talk in lectures.

Hopefully I will get used to everything soon and start making friends there. I've applied for a student allowance that should ease the pressure on me to keep running my business.

[John Schloendorn]

Very nice, sounds like fun! Enjoy the great time!

[stephen]

I don't know anyone there. So far we just go into massive lectures.

That's a problem with first-year classes. I had a few of those and hated them (usually just skipped class and only came in for the exams). The best course I took were the very high level courses (with small sizes) or honors courses involving groups of 5 or so discussing research papers with the professors. If your uni has something like that, definitely try to get involved. I learned more from reading genetics journals and discussing them with the prof. than I learned in 12 hours of bio / genetics lecture halls.

I found that "honors" courses typically weren't that much harder, but the level of interaction with the professor was on a completely different plane. (Probably varies from school to school.)

[caston]

That post was after a subcontractor and I had spent a few hours trying to install Debain without success on a customers new server sporting dual core socket 939 athlon64 bleeding edge ASUS motherboard with SLI. The Marvell Yukon chipset for the dual inbuilt gigabit nics was causing it to either freeze during hardware detection or, if we went around that, while fetching packages to complete the install.

Uni was much better today. Someone that I knew from years back sat next to me in the foundation unit lecture and I had a chat with them. I had my first tute today and it was pretty good.


*edit*
I just called my subcontractor and he found the real issue. BIOS needed upgrade due to not detecting the speed of the DDR RAM correctly AND it wouldn't boot from Western Digital IDE drives even after the BIOS upgrade.

Edited by caston, 28 July 2006 - 01:58 AM.