The Kuchroo Times

June 6, 2007 Vol. 1 Issue 11

Dear Kuchroo Lab Members,We are finally over the hump and have made itto our 11th issue of the Kuchroo Times. Thoughit feels like its been ages since we began, thejourney has just begun. With the addition ofnew lab members, the possibilities of the labkeep on growing. Thank you very much forcontinuing to take part in this production andhope you continue to enjoy!

HeadlineOperation FOCIS Is Go!

Tomorrow, four brave individuals embark on ajourney across mountains and deserts towardsthe land of San Diego to spread their wealth ofknowledge with the rest of the world. WithCommander Kuchroo at the head of the team,Captain Korn, Lieutenant Chung, and PrivateRodriguez set forth towards the conference toindulge themselves in the burning rays of sun,chilling breeze of the sea, and the harsh grainsof sand beneath their feet. We wish them thebest as they have to endure the gruelingconditions that await them on the other side ofthe U.S.A. God Speed Soldiers…God Speed…

The Kuchroo Lab: We Are One.We are extraordinary people, more than capableof doing extraordinary things. Each individualmember is a part of the body…each with his orher special ability, contributing to the successand the functioning of the lab. We areimportant individuals, whether on a personal,local, or national level. Each affecting thosearound us, extending our positive presence withno expectations or conditions. We are theKuchroo Lab.

When I first began working in this lab, I wasn’taware that every Thursday morning, our lab heldweekly lab meetings where people from the labgot a chance to share their progress in theirprojects and to receive feedback on their work.The following week, I woke up around 8AM, gotdressed and ready and head for work. When Ifirst walked into the room, the aroma of coffeeand breakfast immediately awakened my senses.After pouring myself a cup of coffee and humblytaking a muffin, I sat down and prepared for thepresentation. The next hour however was a blurin my mind. Terminology from textbooks that Ihad encountered years ago in college started tosurface, however they came at such a fast pacethat I didn’t have enough time to comprehend andput the pieces together. It was like someone hadthrown a jigsaw puzzle at me before I was evenable to begin working on it. Flustered at the endof the talk, I walked, confused, back to my deskand tried to recover from the mental overload thelast sixty minutes had erupted on me.Here I am, almost a year later though, with moreknowledge and experience on my back. Bigger,badder, and uncut. I think back on that timethough and wonder, even though I wasn’t able tocontribute anything to the meetings, what was thepurpose of me attending these lab meetings? Iwasn’t a post doc and didn’t come from animmunology background…what could I possiblycontribute to this group of intelligent individuals?One day however, as I sat on a rock meditating, itfinally became clear to me as to my purpose…myrole here in this lab. What would a team be ifplayers never showed up to practice because theyknew that they weren’t going to be playing in thenext game? We are a team, every single one ofus. From technicians to post docs, to gradstudents, to administrators, all the way up to ourPI. We do not function individually but as a unit.This is what I have learned and have believedevery Thursday morning, Friday morning, andeach lab event. Though you may be thinking thatthere is a common thread in all of thesethings…that being free food…I assure you that I

The Kuchroo Times

June 6, 2007 Vol. 1 Issue 11

would rather starve than to not be a contributingfactor to our lab.

Cooking With Dr. Lindsay!

On the topic of food, Dr. Lindsay has graced uswith yet another recipe to attempt to create tohis standard. If I had an oven in my apartment,I would attempt this recipe, but for all of youwho are fortunate enough to have that appliance,I challenge you to try and perfect this recipe sothat we can have a potluck the next time Dr.Lindsay joins us here in Boston. Enjoy!Pecan Chiffon Pie1 envelope of gelatin_ cup of waterSoakCombine in saucepan, cooking slowly stirringconstantly until thickened3 egg yolks, lightly beaten8oz brown sugar_ tsp salt1 cup of scalded milkWhen thick remove and stir in soaked gelatinand 1 tsp vanilla.Set aside to coolCrust. Ground up digestives and butter cookedin the oven at 210oF for ten minutes, then leaveto cool.Toast 1 cup of pecans and 2 tsp margarine untillightly browned.Make meringue using 3 egg whites and _ cupbrown sugarBeat together until stiff.Gently fold together custard, meringue and _cup of toasted and cooled pecans.Pour into pie shell and put the rest of the pecanson top.Chill.

Wise Words from ShengWith the expansion of the Kuchroo Times, I willbe adding several new columns to the newsletter,incorporating different aspects of the KuchrooLab, hopefully including all of its memberseventually. This newsletter is for the people andby the people so I hope you enjoy this newaddition to the Kuchroo Times.

Wise Words from Sheng was introduced to meduring a random conversation with RoseRodriguez over lunch. While talking aboutdifferent lab members and their some of theiruniqueness that they bring to the lab, Sheng cameup in conversation and his wisdom shocked me atfirst. I knew already that he was a very intelligentperson, however the depth of his wisdom was sostriking that I had to publish one very noteworthyquote that he had shared with Rose. To addeffect, I will attempt to recreate the passion anddepth used in his words, however due to the lackof emotions that can be conveyed on paper, I willdo my best to share with you one of hopefullymany to come, Wise Words from Sheng.

“Rose. It is true that timeflies , but remember this ,you…are the pilot” -E r r o r !Contact not defined.

This quote brought a tear to my eye with itsprofoundness, and I hope that you all get a chanceto reflect on this. More to come hopefully!

EtceteraThe deadline for T-Shirt designs is closing in fast.Remember that you have 3 more weeks to submita design for a chance at $100 and a free shirt forthe winner. Though everyone gets a free shirt,having two prizes sounds more appealing than justone. Also, Dr. Lindsay is in the race for the prizeso beware everyone. Top Chef, Master Scientist,and possibly Top Designer next. The race is on!