The last two "thank yous" & and update

I've been thanking folks for contributing to my project based on the chronological order their support came in, and I'm now at the end of the line!  The following two generous individuals will be the last two I thank here on my blog, though of course I greatly appreciate everyone else's support.  Below these "thank yous" is a brief status update on my project.

Greg M:  Greg is an English teacher at the Urban School and was very welcoming to me from the first day I worked there.  Greg's sense of humor is known far and wide and he is always quick to point out that I study "moth balls" or shoot me questions about "Mothra."  Greg has been a curious and enthusiastic supporter of my project and I hope he keeps trying to think new plays on words relevant to my research!

Jane N:  Jane, like me, started working at the Urban School in 2011.  Jane is a member of the staff that, as a whole, do such an outstanding job of making sure things run smoothly around here, and Jane has personally helped me with a number of things like making sure I am using pre-tax dollars when I ride the subway - something that's pretty important when a BART ride costs an arm and a leg.  I very much appreciate all Jane does for Urban and for her support of my project.

Project update:  Right now, my collaborators (Dan and Will from the University of Hawaii) and I are in the process of submitting our application for one more trek to Kaho'olawe, scheduled for February (give or take a month).  This trip would be to collect larvae and find any wet-season species, and would finish off the field work for this project. 

For the time being, I am staying very busy working on other insect-related research (describing new species of Hawaiian Carposina moths; working on a paper that discusses practical measures related to insect conservation; finishing a large project to document species of South American Adelidae moths).

Two More "Thank Yous"!

Susan M:  Susan is an extremely effective co-worker of mine at the Urban School of SF.  She was one of the first people I met once accepting my job there, and was so helpful and friendly right off the bat that I knew I'd be in good hands.  Susan was one of several Urban School employees to help support my research, and her generous contribution to my project was an amazing gesture from someone I work with.  Thank you, Susan!

Nancy K:  I first met Nancy years ago when I was trying to earn extra money as a grad student, and I got a gig babysitting her awesome German shepherds (Zito, and the late but beloved Flint).  I've now known Nancy for a number of years and gotten to know her and her family, who have always treated me with generosity.  Nancy had the honor, if I may call it that, of being the person who pushed me over my fund raising goal - something I was very excited about!

Two more "Thank Yous"!

Susie H:  Susie H is a good friend of mine who I've known for over twenty years.  She was a close friend of my Mom's, the mother of one of my all-time closest friends, and also played a role in my academic development - Susie was my high school art teacher.  Susie endured some of my mediocre art, and encouraged my skillful calligraphy (and the creation of the short-lived "Master of Calligraphy Institute" in her advanced art class one term).  Susie is also an accomplished artist herself, and her work is always an inspiration to me.  Thank you, Susie!

Kristin A:  Kristin A was also a close friend of my Mom's, and someone I've been fortunate to spend time with here and there over the years, especially for some great power walks back in the day - though our mutually busy schedules make our visits less frequent than I'd like.  Kristin is a master of many trades, and has been involved in science research herself - working on bird conservation on the Oregon coast.  Her activity level in her community, and number of commitments are mind-boggling, and quite inspirational.  I really appreciate her support of my project - thank you, Kristin!

Next two "Thank yous:"

John M:  I now have the pleasure of thanking my Dad, John, for his support of my project.  My Dad is a PhD physical therapy professor and I grew up admiring his academic accomplishments.  Simply because he had one (not because he ever pressured me), I always just figured I'd end up earning a PhD some day ~ I remember thinking that thought from a very early age.  More than anyone else, my Dad instilled in me the value of scholarship, and that's been one of the strongest guiding values of my life.  I'm also pleased to announce I recently named an endemic Hawaiian moth in honor of John, Orthomecyna keoniae (Crambidae).  If you'd like to see the paper, you can download it at
http://mattjmedeiros.com/Publications.html
It's the second paper from the top.

Pres M:  Pres was the chair of the biology department when I attended my undergraduate institution, Hamline University, in St. Paul, MN.  Pres was an important figure in my education because he was my genetics instructor there, and I am now of course - among other things - teaching upper level genetics at my current school.  Pres recently helped me develop a lab for my genetics course, and I really appreciate his help with that, along with his support of my project.  Thank you, Pres!

Two more thank yous to my $50 donors!

Bob O:
Bob is a physics teacher at my old school in Maryland.  During the two years we worked together, I really appreciated how consistently helpful, cheerful, and humorous he was, and how he consistently strives for excellence and expects it from others.  Bob lived up to his reputation of being supportive of others by generously and enthusiastically contributing to my project.  Thank you, Bob!

Brian J:
Brian is one of my uncles who lives in Hawaii.  He has been an influence in my life largely in terms of inspiring my love of Hawaiian natural systems.  From an early age, I sometimes joined him for things like hiking through Haleakala National Park, and constantly (annoyingly so, I'm sure) picked his brain.  Brian is still a hugely helpful resource for all types of information and I rely on him often.  Brian, thank you for supporting my project.

Thank you to my supporters.

Hi Everyone!
 I've created a different blog for all the folks who supported "The Unknown Moths of Kaho'olawe."  I think this platform will be easier for me to update, and hopefully easier for everyone to follow (and leave comments on, if you wish).  I will no longer be updating the older blog I used with this project, but the important posts from that blog will not be lost:  I am hereby publishing all the "Thank You" messages I'd already send out, and will continue with more of them in the near future - as well as new information about my project.   I again thank everyone who supported me!  More thank yous and other information soon to come.
 Previous "Thank Yous":
 1.  Veronica P
My first “fueler” above the $50 mark – and one who donated only 1 hour and 3 minutes after my project went live – was Veronica P. of Campbell, CA.  She also happens to be my godmother!  Veronica has been very supportive of me my entire life, and has taken her role as godmother seriously and done a great job at it.  She also has connections to Hawaii (via her significant other) and takes great interest in my pursuits.  Veronica, thank you so much for your support!
 2.  Charlotte L
My second fueler who I am happy to thank individually is Charlotte L.  Charlotte also pitched in right off the bat when my project started.  Charlotte has known me since I was a very small child and although I haven’t seen her as much lately, I know she is there for me whenever I need it.  I have very fond memories of her from my childhood because she was always so sweet to me – and as a flight attendant (back in the day) she even helped make a few flights to visit family in Hawaii more comfortable for me and my parents.  Charlotte, thank you so much for your support!
 3.  Jay L
I’m excited to thank a huge supporter of my project with today’s post:  Jay L. of San Jose.  Jay has been a big part of my life for the last four years, joining me and Kelley for holiday meals, picnics, Costco trips, etc.  He’s been incredibly generous with me that entire time and I’m blown away by his support.  Thank you Jay – I REALLY appreciate it!!
 4.  Brendan B
Brendan Borrell.  What can I say about this man that hasn’t been written already?  Scholar.  Filmmaker.  Writer.  Athlete.  Renaissance man, in fact.  Ever since he chose me to be his field assistant in Panama back in 2002, Brendan has helped make sure I’m never in short supply of sarcasm, adventure, or support.  Brendan, thank you so much for your contribution to my project!
 5.  Laura M & Paula Trillo
Thanks to Laura M. of Minnesota.  Laura was my first-ever “field” assistant, working together with me to study the behavior of Oriental Small-Clawed Otters at the Minnesota zoo.  We did this as part of a project for Dr. B. Ploger’s animal behavior class, and I’ll always have fond memories of watching the otters as Laura took careful notes about how they scratched their ears or wagged their tails.  Laura has been a great friend to me over the years, never forgetting to check in with me during both good and bad times.  Plus, her ability to give advice is second-to-none.  Thank you, Laura!
 Also, thanks to Paula Trillo, a donor who I don’t know personally, but who I am grateful to as well.
 6. Joyce L
Thanks to Joyce L. for supporting my project!  Joyce has been a big part of my life for the past four years and has supported me in so many ways, so this was icing on the cake.  Joyce is a great person to have in my life because she is always so incredibly enthusiastic, passionate about what she’s doing, and bounces back from life’s hardships – she’s a great role model.  Thank you, Joyce!