Well hello!

       My name is Manmit, and I am a freshman currently studying Molecular and Cellular Biology with a minor in Anthropology; perhaps even double-major if I've the courage! Surprisingly, many of us are interested in the pre-health field, and to add to that list I am going pre-dental. This past summer I took an introductory cultural Anthro course where we briefly covered evolution and immediately became interested. In my mind I see biology, anthropology, and dentistry coming together as one unit enabling scientists and doctors to innovate and advance science and medicine. 

      ANTH 249 is one of many biological anthropology courses that I feel is able to offer me an enjoyable learning experience. Human evolution is a subject matter we all can relate to; it's like learning about one's ancestors and how an individual came to be the way they are today. Additionally, I find human diseases and infections particularly fascinating. For example, much of my family are immigrants to America from India, and there are certain noticeable health differences between them and myself; i.e rate of metabolism, effects of sugar, vision, and of most interest, oral hygiene/problems. From this course, I would love to learn more about not only new diseases, but they're progression and development, or lack thereof,  throughout history.

A few blogs I felt were strongly related to this course including one involving my own anthropological interests include:
 http://www.flapsblog.net/2012/08/dental-health-associated-with-alzheimer.html
http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/evolution/Catching-Diseases-from-our-Evolutionary-Cousins.html
 This link introduces anthropological and biological studies reflecting the evolution of not only dentistry but the overall mouth structure. This blog, by Dr. Sorrentino, highlights the startling acknowledgement of nonexistent teeth decay before the age of agriculture. Throughout his blog article, the value he places on how our diet and agriculture significantly reducing our oral health surprised me. It made me reflect that even though 2,500,000 years have passed, all homo sapiens still share fundamental characteristics of oral health and have similarly been impacted by innovation and change. Throughout the rest of his blog, Dr. Sorrentino sheds light on issues even briefly mentioned on the first day of class such as stress and the body’s fight-or-flight response. The teeth, as with the rest of the body, have been impacted by such stress and throughout time have changed shape to adapt to culture changes as well as stressers.

 In short, this blog gives me great excitement that even a specific topic like dentistry is strongly tied to the foundation of anthropology. I am looking forward to a great semester with you all!