Pictures are on Yahoo! Photos.
blog and updated personal information on my friendster site (username: rahuldave)

Hi, I'm Rahul -- full time med student, more than full time grad student, life-long free-thinker liberal capitalist (can't stand them compassionate conservatives), perpetual rule bender. Think about it; most of the times when so-called "liberals" oppose capitalism, it's when the basic tenets of free-market economics don't really work, or shouldn't apply. Having said that, my best roommate was a social and political conservative. Trust me, you don't need an ID to take commercial flights or cross border guards legally and normally (I've done it)! Besides living the lab, I love running, meeting people, anything that gets me outdoors, and pushing the envelope.
     There's another Rahul Dave' who'se some sort of uber-computer geek -- it ain't me. I've never met him (I'd like to, hey someone who has my namesake's gotta be pretty cool)

I'm a 5th year MD/PhD student in Mark Rasenick's laboratory at the University of Illinois-Chicago (Department of Physiology/Neuroscience Program). My research interests focus on how cellular structural proteins modulate neurotransmitter-dependent signaling (interaction between G-proteins and tubulin). This process is directly relevant for half the prescription drugs on the market, and almost all psychiatric medications. If you know what the background is, I'll see you at SFN or Cell Biology! If I get depressed, I'll be my own guinea pig and eat something that affects G-proteins and tubulins

For the past year, I've been an active long-distance runner. I'm just crazy enough to try and run a marathon. Last year, I ran a half-marathon (Chicago's distance classic). I am currently trying to keep a base of 10-20 mile weeks, which will build up to 30-mile weeks by early summer. My goal is to finish the marathon, but I'm shooting for a 10:00 pace. This is the first time I'm doing real running. A few years ago, I got pissed off at myself for not being able to run a mile. I started running, built up to a 8:30 pace (for a mile). Then I moved in with a roomie who happened to train runners in a past life. One became 2, became 4, became 8, became 13.1 and will become 26.2. If I start babbling about qualifying for Boston, somebody please snap me back to reality!

I am co-ordinating medical student involvement in a free clinic. The Port Ministries Free Clinic that serves the uninsured in a 1-square mile area on the South Side of Chicago. We run Tu, We, Th and Sat during the daytime. The clinic facilities are modest, but we are the primary source of care for many residents of Chicago's Back-of-the-yards neighborhood. Besides providing primary care, we run periodic health screening programs. We are always looking for donations and volunteers; though it's church-supported, we are committed to serve every patient that walks in the door. Port Ministries also runs a homeless shelter, soup kitchen/bead truck, recreational and educational facilities. E-mail me if you're interested.

I am co-organizing the annual meeting for the American Physican Scientist Association. MD/PhD students, register today!!! This is a unique opportunity to get career advice, network with physician-scientists, and attend symposia given by Nobel Laureates.

Vital Stats: Favorite music: I get bored of hearing the same crap over & over. There's a lot of alternative, hard-rock, and some soft-rock, plus a smattering of arabic music on my computer. Favorite food: hot peppers (yummy! I one time ate chutney, thinking it was a main course). I'm a nomad.

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