An outdoor gallery, backing the visiting team, and an alt-rock anthem

Gaurab Basu is an assistant professor of environmental health at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and an assistant professor of medicine and global health and social medicine at Harvard Medical School.

I believe it’s an incredible source of pride for the University and a treasure for the entire Commonwealth. I cherish visiting there and engaging with the ecological diversity that our stunning planet has to offer. This outdoor gallery demonstrates what a privilege it is to be amidst nature, surrounded by such varied and magnificent life forms. I gaze at the extraordinary trees surrounding me and reflect on all they have witnessed, and how they have thrived, providing me insights on improving my connection with nature. My trip to the Arboretum catalyzed me to engage with the city of Cambridge’s Department of Public Works to plant 10 trees along our neighborhood street.

Having grown up in the Bay Area, supporting San Francisco sports teams (which fared exceptionally well in the ’80s and ’90s) was a significant aspect of my youth, leading to countless memories with my father, who sadly passed away last year. Now, my 8-year-old son and I venture to Fenway Park and TD Garden to support the Giants and Warriors as they arrive to compete. We aim to strike the right note — we are not those pesky fans who root against the local team, but we wear our team’s colors with pride and quietly high-five each other when a good play is made. Go Steph Curry!

The melody of Dolores O’Riordan’s voice in this captivating song still motivates me to push just a little harder during my runs around Fresh Pond and evokes a touch of magic.

— As relayed to Sy Boles/Harvard Staff Writer