Seton Melvin

Top Activities to Try While Visiting the Galapagos Islands

Seton Melvin holds the role of director of the brain donor program at New York’s Mount Sinai Hospital. In her spare time, Seton Melvin enjoys participating in a range of adventurous activities, including dog-sledding in Alaska, diving in Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, and traveling to the Galapagos Islands.

The Galapagos archipelago is a group of 19 islands located in the Pacific Ocean 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador. A popular tourist destination, these islands feature beautiful beaches and some of the most unique wildlife on the planet.

The most popular activity to enjoy in the Galapagos is trekking. These adventure outings are led by naturalists at the Galapagos National Park and are among the best ways to see stunning views and wildlife. Snorkeling and scuba diving are also exciting activities to take part in, providing an opportunity to see a wide array of marine life, including sea lions, turtles, sting rays, and penguins. Kayaking is a great way to explore hidden lagoons flanked by mangrove forests.

Travel Tips for Gorilla Trekking

Seton Melvin’s love of travel has led him to mountain climbing in Austria and camping on the banks of the River Kwai. The director of the Brain Donor Project at Mt. Sinai Hospital, Seton Melvin believes that one of the highlights of his travels is his time gorilla trekking in Rwanda.

Here are a few tips for people who want to experience the life-changing adventure of searching for gorillas:

1. Get a permit. The most popular destinations for gorilla trekking, Rwanda and Uganda, both require permits for gorilla treks in the national parks.

2. Take plenty of food and water. You won’t have access to supplies for the long climb. Take enough food and water to get you through the intense hikes and dress in layers. You will start predawn in the dark cold and drizzle and later work up a sweat as the clouds burn off. .

3. Work on fitness ahead of the trip. Gorillas make their homes at high altitudes, so the hike will be challenging lasting 7 hours on steep, muddy jungle covered mountains in rain and cold.

Brain Donation FAQ

Seton Melvin is the director of the Brain Donor Program at Mount Sinai Hospital, the first of its kind in the United States that studies brains that have sustained clinically documented brain injuries. From his position, Seton Melvin has learned how important brain tissue donations are for medical research into brain disorders.

The following questions often arise about brain donation:

Q: What kinds of research are brain donations used for?

A: Much of what the medical establishment knows today about brain diseases such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and Huntington’s was discovered through brain tissue research.

Q: Does a single brain donation make an impact?

A: One brain can provide tissue samples for hundreds of research projects. Every donation is a big step toward the understanding of brain conditions.

Q: Can anyone become a brain donor?

A: The thrust of brain research comes from the brains of donors affected with brain conditions. However, healthy brain donations are crucial as well. They serve as points of comparison for the changes that occur in damaged or diseased brains.