We began introductory training today (similar to some of the stuff I've done at the Cleveland Clinic with Mr. Aguilar last year). I also met with my mentor at the MPIA (Max Planck Institute of Astronomy), Dr. Arjen van der Wel and he gave me the outline for my project.

I will be using an untested method of measurement to try to determine the age and size of the universe. The results will be used to quantify the accuracy of this method. The main components of my research will be based upon red shift, 'brightness' of stars, the Hubble constant, and other ideas. If my research progresses many simplifying methods will be removed to make both the work much more difficult and the results much more applicable to the professional scientific world.

Our training continues tomorrow at the European Molecular Biology Lab (EMBL). I will try to remember to take pictures because, as all reporters know, a picture is worth a thousand words.