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Title
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Ada Hernandez
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Type
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Primary: Student Argonaut
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Operation
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Resilient Planet
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Mission:
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Mission 1: Invaders , Mission 3: Paradise Lost , Mission 4: Paradise Found
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Created On
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3/10/2008
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From: Resilient Planet Mission 1: Invaders , Mission 3: Paradise Lost , Mission 4: Paradi> (and more) |
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Ada Hernandez Read more about Ada Hernandez, a Student Argonaut from Operation: Resilient Planet. |
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Ada Hernandez
Student Argonaut,
Monterrey, Mexico
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When Ada was asked what her favorite branch of science was, she said she could not think of just one. But now she would choose the study of DNA. She feels that genetics opens the way to understanding the individual person, families and much more. According to Ada, genetics can also be used to cure many diseases such as cancer. Ada is also interested in the possibility of using DNA testing in criminal justice to identify perpetrators of crimes by looking at DNA sequences. She likes research and can someday see herself using it in a career.
JASON asked Ada what “big” challenges has she faced. She says that every challenge she meets can either make her fail or succeed, but sometimes a challenge comes along that tests her abilities and determination. One such example was when she was having a hard time in school, she just couldn’t get math. Ada finally took the time to try and figure it out and made math her number one priority. She finally began to understand it and it made her proud to be able to meet the challenge. She says it is this type of situation that helped her grow as a person, and also gives her skills that will be useful later in life. Her math teacher says that Ada is always on a constant quest for challenges. She speaks three languages and is determined to meet her goals - even when they are hard.
She believes that when she meets a life challenge it becomes a life-changing experience and she becomes a better person. Ada quoted a philosopher named Joshua Marine: “Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.”
In her own words
Thoughts on Dr. Russell Cuhel
During Boot Camp and Mission 1, working with Dr. Russell Cuhel helped me become very interested in Zebra and Quagga mussels, which are part of his research on Lake Michigan. These mussels are invasive species and are clearing out the food from the water column that other organisms are depending on for food. Once we finished Boot Camp, got our JASON t-shirts and our caps, we finally received our field assignments. I enjoyed working alongside Dr. Cuhel. He has such a deep love of nature and truly enjoys his job.
Thoughts on Dr. Sylvia Earle
Dr. Sylvia Earle and our field assignment to Chesapeake Bay were outstanding. I was thrilled I got the chance to work with Dr. Earle. She is simply incredible. She has the record for the deepest ocean dive and has traveled all over the world. She has an incredible amount of knowledge and is so passionate about the sea. It’s nice to see a person genuinely care about our seas and oceans. Dr. Sylvia Earle taught us so many things and really opened our eyes to a whole different world. I will never look at any body of water the same way. I have learned to think from the point of view of the sea creatures and I think that is really great, because now, whenever I look at a body of water I’ll be aware of all the organisms that call that place home.
Thoughts on Dr. Enric Sala
My next field assignment was with Dr. Enric Sala, who is just amazing by the way. We learned about pristine ecosystems and how to restore degraded areas. We also asked questions about how to reach a balance between humans and nature. I think his work is really interesting and I’m anxious to learn more.
What JASON means to me
The total JASON experience has helped me learn about the importance of learning about the ecology of any area. It is important to our future life on the planet as well as other organisms that live here. JASON has really opened my eyes and made me look at the world in a totally different way. It has been a life-changing experience.
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