I hate fruit flies. I go crazy when fruit flies appear in my house. I have a visceral reaction when I encounter one in the supermarket produce section. Dr. JoAnne Mowczko is the reason I hate fruit flies.
I have known Dr. Mowczko since I was 14. I was lucky enough to have her as my Honors Biology teacher my freshman year in high school. I was coming from a parochial school where we dissected the Bible much more so than small critters. I was a bit over my head.
I loved the way Dr. M taught her science class. I was in awe of how objectively she spoke about subjects, even giving us a blow by blow of a sinus surgery she was about to endure. We did lots of projects that made me squeamish. But none was more horrific than “The Fruit Fly Experiment.” We were studying genetic traits in fruit flies by looking for different eye colors under a microscope. So not only were fruit flies soaring around precociously during the 6 week experiment throughout the classroom, but there lingered the strong odor of ether used to put the flies to sleep. Then there was the icky factor of having to stare at these little flying insects in a magnified state.
I got an A in Dr. M’s class and went on to become friends with her and her family for the last two decades.
I have detested fruit flies for just as long. But I love Dr. M and honor her for everything she has done to share her love of science and learning for countless students in Yuma, Ariz.
Happy 70th birthday Dr. M.
I have known Dr. Mowczko since I was 14. I was lucky enough to have her as my Honors Biology teacher my freshman year in high school. I was coming from a parochial school where we dissected the Bible much more so than small critters. I was a bit over my head.
I loved the way Dr. M taught her science class. I was in awe of how objectively she spoke about subjects, even giving us a blow by blow of a sinus surgery she was about to endure. We did lots of projects that made me squeamish. But none was more horrific than “The Fruit Fly Experiment.” We were studying genetic traits in fruit flies by looking for different eye colors under a microscope. So not only were fruit flies soaring around precociously during the 6 week experiment throughout the classroom, but there lingered the strong odor of ether used to put the flies to sleep. Then there was the icky factor of having to stare at these little flying insects in a magnified state.
I got an A in Dr. M’s class and went on to become friends with her and her family for the last two decades.
I have detested fruit flies for just as long. But I love Dr. M and honor her for everything she has done to share her love of science and learning for countless students in Yuma, Ariz.
Happy 70th birthday Dr. M.