Leibowitz participated in an eightweek paid internship in Baltimore, Md. studying rat brains. This program, a part of the Drug Abuse branch of the National Institute of Health, focused on mapping the rats’ brains as a result of the discovery of two new neurons. These newly-detected neurons lead to a part of the brain that is associated with drug abuse. This research may later be applied to humans.
Leibowitz worked long and hard during his time in Baltimore in order to learn procedures from the scientists there. He lived with two roommates and had to take two buses for his hour commute to and from work every day. He did not have access to a car, the Internet or TV, and only had a few days off. But one of the best parts, he says, was being able to live on his own.
While the majority of his summer was spent studying on the other side of the country, Leibowitz decided to take it one step further, partaking in a research program on the other side of the world.
He traveled all the way to a remote research station in Russia for two weeks as a volunteer for four Russian scientists affiliated with the Wild Fishes and Biodiversity Foundation of Russia and the Wild Salmon Center in America. There he helped with studies of the Kol River in Kamchatka, Russia, on the eastern peninsula. This region supplies one quarter of the world’s wild salmon.
The researchers hope their reports will help protect the wildlife there, especially the area’s population of wild salmon. Leibowitz mostly caught specific species of salmon for study and threw back the ones of the wrong type. The scientists measured the salmon’s weight, length, reproductive organs and DNA. Leibowitz also gathered clumps of mud that would be examined for insects and invertebrates.
After reading an article in the New York Times about the Wild Salmon Center’s research, Leibowitz decided to learn more and help out, becoming a researcher at the age of 17.
“My family and I have been salmon fishing in Alaska virtually every summer that I can remember and I have always loved our experiences,” says Leibowitz.
Reaching his destination proved difficult. Leibowitz flew from Las Vegas to Phoenix only to learn that his flight was cancelled due to a volcanic eruption in the Aleutian Islands. But Leibowitz was soon able to reach Anchorage, Alaska, where he stayed for three nights. From there, he flew to Russia but then had to fly for an hour and a half by helicopter to the Kol Biostation with about 10,000 pounds of supplies.
This journey was not without its risks either. A few days before Leibowitz left, two scientists in the area were attacked by bears, and Russia also entered a military conflict with Georgia.
Another challenge was the language barrier between Leibowitz and his coworkers. He had learned a little Russian from a tutor in Baltimore before leaving, but it became easier to pick up when immersed in the country.
The area, which was very isolated, also had no cell phone reception. For two weeks, Leibowitz worked only on the research at hand. But that doesn’t mean he didn’t have a good time.
“Everyone was so helpful and friendly,” Leibowitz says.
Leibowitz was warmly welcomed by four scientists, two maintenance workers and a cook. One of the highlights of his trip was exchanging gifts.
“I had heard that exchanging presents was a Russian tradition and prepared a suitcase full of Las Vegas T-shirts, hats and other presents to give out,” he says.
Overall, Leibowitz found the endeavor to be very enriching.
“This experience was by far the most amazing adventure in my life and I hope to return soon to continue my work there, as well as continue to be associated with the superb work of the Wild Salmon Center,” he says.