Wednesday, March 22, 2017

Opera Etiquette Tips


Sam W. Lee, PhD, brings substantial experience to his roles as the associate director of the Cutaneous Biology Research Center at Massachusetts General Hospital and an associate professor of dermatology at Harvard Medical School. Moreover, Dr. Sam W. Lee is an avid operagoer in his free time. As first-time operagoers may be unfamiliar with opera etiquette, here are some tips.

1. Grant the overture the respect it deserves and listen in silence. Applause is generally reserved for the arias that highlight the performance.

2. Don’t obsess about dress; while many enjoy dressing up, you don’t necessarily have to follow their example. Many will arrive in more casual attire.

3. Remember Italian gender linguistics. When praising a male performance, shout “bravo,” but use “brava” for a female performance. “Bravi” is the acceptable form of praise for a group performance. Alternatively, you could whistle, shout, or remain silent.

4. Although opera running times can vary substantially, they usually fall in the two- to three-hour range. It is advisable to eat beforehand.

Monday, March 13, 2017

Three Must-Visit Historical Sites Around the World


Sam W. Lee teaches at Harvard Medical School as an associate professor. He also serves as the associate director of the nearby Cutaneous Biology Research Center, operated by Massachusetts General Hospital. When he finds time away from work, Sam W. Lee enjoys traveling. He is especially fond of visiting historical sites of note.

Many of the world's oldest and most influential historical sites are open or partially open to tourists. If you enjoy world history, consider visiting one of the following historical sites on your next vacation. 

- Angkor Wat in Cambodia. This 12th-century temple, built by King Suryavaraman II, is a prime example of Khmer-era architecture. The beautiful edifices draw many tourists, so it is best to visit early or late in the day.

- Stonehenge in England. More than 3,000 years old, this well-known monument is full of mysteries. Scholars know that the stones comprising the structure came from Wales, but they do not know how they got to their present location or why they were placed there. A fence prevents visitors from walking inside the circle of stones, but the view is still worth a trip.

- Petra in Jordan. Formerly the capital of the Nabataean Empire for more than 500 years, this 6th-century BC wonder was carved directly into a sandstone cliff. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and very welcoming to tourists.

Friday, March 3, 2017

Seborrheic Keratosis Characteristics





Sam W. Lee attended the University of California to pursue his Ph.D. in genetics. Additionally, he went on to study cancer genetics at Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts. Currently, Sam W. Lee serves as an associate biologist at Massachusetts General Hospital. One of his focus areas is dermatology.

Dermatology is the branch of medicine that provides diagnosis and treatment for skin conditions such as seborrheic keratosis. A common, benign skin growth, middle-aged adults and older adults may notice these growths more. While it’s common to have multiple growths with seborrheic keratosis, some people may experience just one.

As the growths start to appear, they may develop throughout the body, and appear on the back, abdomen, chest, shoulders, and scalp. Seborrheic keratosis growths start out small with a rough texture. As the growth progresses, it may take on a thick, wart-like appearance. Waxy, raised surfaces are another way to describe these growths. 

If you believe you have this type of growth on your body, it’s important to recognize the texture as it can be hard to distinguish from melanoma growths. It is best to have a doctor evaluate and determine the final diagnosis.