Shawn Hall

Interview Reflection

1. Describe your feelings about or response to the interview.

I was very impressed with the wealth of knowledge I was able to gain in the one interview. Our interviewee was extremely knowledgeable in his field, as well as molecular biology in general. After listening to him explain his approach to research, I was astounded by the conceptual understanding I now had of using biological molecules as tools in research. 

2. What changes occurred for you as a result of your interview?

After the interview, I was able to better understand the work of Ribozymes within endogenous organisms, and in vitro and in vivo experiments. I feel my understanding of the subject was elementary and needed clarification to its natural role in organisms in order to better understand its possibilities as a tool in scientific discoveries. 

3. Did anything about the interview disturb you?

I would not say anything about the interview was disturbing, but there was a moment of confusion and uncertainty in the interviewee that was unsettling. By discussing Ribozymes we ended up on the topic of RNA World. In talking about RNA World we ended up discussing the definition of life. Essentially, we were curious as to whether future discoveries of RNA catalyst elsewhere in the Universe, or more evidence for RNA World on other planets, that led to life would re-define life for us. As the interview delved into philosophical contemplation, and away from science, our interviewee seemed to draw blanks and become uncomfortable with the topic. Although he is paid to answer biological questions strictly from a scientific perspective, it was curious as to whether he ever considered deeper implications to the material he was publishing for the World. 

4. Describe the connections you found between the interview and your research & classwork.

The person we chose to interview was an understudy to the founder of Ribozymes, which was the topic of our research. During his time as a post-doctorate in the Ribozyme lab, our interviewee used Ribozymes as molecular tools, in biological research. His explanation for the role of this molecule as a tool in non-native, cellular environments to better understand the work of, and lack of work by, telomerase gave us a better understanding of the endogenous roles of Ribozymes and their primary functions.