After the initial interview I was nervous and excited to see how the article would come together. I wondered, "Did I explain my project, theory and practice, in such a way that would make sense to someone who isn't doing this type of research?". Soon after we scheduled and follow up interview where I answered questions that I wanted to double check before going on the record. In addition, she arranged to have a photographer come along and take my photo. This sounds innocuous but was no simple matter. Her initial request was to have a photo of me with one of my lab rats; I immediately responded that that would not be possible. As a scientist who conducts animal research I am well aware of the controversy that surrounds this topic. So I explained that we are unable to bring guests into the lab and under no circumstances are photos allowed. This is to protect not only the staff and students who work in the lab but also the animals themselves. To this response she said that if I could find an alternative location to take a photo, that is another lab space on campus, that would be fine. With that in mind I gathered up some props to "stage" some "fake science" and with the permission of Tim's supervisor we set up for my photo in the NMR lab where Tim works.
It was the following Friday that I confirmed my quotes in the article over the phone. Then it was time to wait. We thought it might appear in the weekend paper but came around on Monday. To celebrate Timmy took me out for breakfast at one of our favorite places and we bought a paper on the way. He made me let him read it first. I waited anxiously for him to finish and when he handed it over I breathed my first sigh of relief; the photo looked alright. My eyes zoomed over the text and then a weight lifted off me; the article was an accurate representation of our conversation and there was no misquoting. :) It was only then that I could start to take in the fact that all of this had come together beautifully. I couldn't keep the smile off my face especially when Timmy repeated told me how proud he was. That's high praise coming from someone so accomplished. :)
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/10238490/Gene-test-could-warn-of-addict-tendencies
Later that day my phone rang with an unknown number popping up on the caller ID. I picked up and found myself talking to a reporter from Radio New Zealand who wanted to include my story in a news bulletin to go out later in the day. With my Science Media SAVVY training kicking in I arranged to answer her questions two hours later. This gave me time to review the article again and to consider how I would approach this type of interview. Our chat went very well and you can read what she wrote (link below), taken from our conversation, in the news bulletin.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/249129/gene-test-to-pinpoint-addictions
After that it was time to head to the SPCA for our weekly shift. I went with Timmy to the Dog House to say 'hi' to the pups and the headed over to the hospital wing via the Puppy Run. As soon as I walked through the door one of the volunteers came up to me and said, "I just read your article in the paper. Well done!". I was taken aback because I usually straggle into the SPCA in old clothes with my hair tied back and often with no makeup. I was sure that no one would recognize me. Wrong. Admittedly, I was relieved that her comments were positive because I know those who advocate for animal welfare (like the SPCA) might not understand why I volunteer there in addition to working in an animal research lab. These two things may seem at odds but they are not. I do both types of work for the same reason: I like animals. I think they have incredible value and, in regards to research, play an invaluable role in understanding complex chemical and behavioral phenomena (e.g. drug addiction). Importantly, I firmly believe that because animals cannot advocate for themselves they need us to do it for them hence my work at the SPCA and increasing involvement with the Animal Ethics Committee at Victoria.
My SPCA shift flew by and soon we were headed home. One the way I picked up an email from a woman who is on staff with The Paul Henry Show requesting an interview for a radio spot she was presenting early the following morning. After all the excitement of the day and working a long SPCA shift I was ready to sit down and not think about anything for the rest of the night. But reporters are nothing if not tenacious and so when I emailed back to say that I would call her in the morning my phone rang a couple minutes later. With an early morning spot she wanted to talk to me before the morning so I agreed to a short over-the-phone interview to answer a few general questions about drug addiction and the role that genes play in this highly complex disorder. After a conversation to give her the overall story she set up to record my responses. With a few do-overs she was happy with what we had recorded and would air it the next morning. Needless to say I was spent but happy. :)
Now my "15 seconds" lasted a bit longer with colleagues from around campus sending emails or stopping me in the corridors to congratulate me on the article. I will reiterate how flattered I felt to have so much attention albeit the limelight, even for this short amount of time, was a little unnerving. In the end it all came together nicely and I will be clipping the article out of the several copies of the paper we purchased to send home to our parents. It's just better to see the actual newsprint. :)
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