I grew up listening to my mother talk to me about her first pregnancy, instilling the memory of our older brother into my mind. She was young, and with all of the fears that already accompanied the reality of motherhood, she had never considered the possibility of her child having any medical conditions. The shock and depression that followed led to her uncertainties about having another child. It was a genetic counselor that offered her support and understanding. Additionally, she prepared my mother to consider what risks there could be and the options available to her. Many of my mother’s worries were relieved, and as a result, I was born. This story is one of the reasons that I am contemplating genetic counseling as a future career. What further solidified my goal to become a genetic counselor is my experience and knowledge of genetics. For the past year, I have volunteered at the Pinto Lab at Mount Sinai. My time spent at the Pinto Lab consisted of using PCR and gel electrophoresis in order to look at mutations in the RNA of individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders. An important goal of ours was to look at the relationship between those individuals and their relatives and see if those same mutations were present in the parents. At that time, I thought about how I could use this information to guide people and interact with them. I could look at the genomes and family histories of people and inform them preemptively that they or their child could be at risk for a specific medical condition. Then they could become acquainted with any symptoms that are associated with it and recognize a potential medical issue before it progresses further. Additionally, I could be a source of support for them if the news comes as a shock. I am aware of the importance of genetic counseling because my mother has benefited from it. My hope is that I can also dedicate my life to equipping people with the knowledge that they or their children may be at risk for certain medical conditions. The results can be a source of relief for people who experience anxiety and are not at high risk of anything. On the other hand, if an individual or their child is at risk, I want to be able to console them if they have difficulty processing it. With this career, I believe that I can find fulfillment through helping others.

Even as a rising senior in university, I believe that it is never too late to consider other options. This is the reason that I have multiple career paths in mind. One of these options is genetic counseling. What sparked my interest in it was my experience volunteering with the Pinto Lab at Mount Sinai. My experience consisted of doing PCR and gel electrophoresis, in order to look at mutations in the DNA of individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders. An important goal of ours was to look at the relationship between those individuals and their relatives and observe if those same mutations were present in the parents or siblings. At that time, I realized that I could use this information to inform people. For instance, I can look at the genomes and family history of people and let them know preemptively that they or their child could be at risk for this. Then they could prepare themselves early, as well as recognize a potential medical issue before it progresses further. Additionally, I could be a source of support for them if the information is emotionally jarring for them. Another career path I have been considering is one as a mycologist. Next semester, I will become the president of the mycology club at my university. By joining this club, I have learned a lot about the impact fungi can have on the world. For example, in one workshop, we made paper out of mushroom pulp. This led me to inform myself about the sustainable alternatives that fungi can be used to create, such as clothing made from mushroom leather. Through the club, I also learned about the process of bioremediation. Bioremediation is a term that refers to the ability that fungi have to break down pollution. By becoming a mycologist, I could contribute to the research needed to make advances toward utilizing fungi for these purposes. My interest in fungi and bioremediation has also fueled my interest in becoming a sustainability consultant. Life as a sustainability consultant will allow me to work outside of a lab setting while still pursuing a career that aligns with my goals and passions. Corporations are responsible for the majority of carbon emissions. By offering advice to these corporations about how to reduce their carbon footprints or how they can adhere to environmental regulations, I hope to play a role in preserving fungi, plant, and animal life.

The look of disbelief on my mother’s face as I showed her the worm cupped in my hands is permanently etched into my mind. It was the first time that I had seen one, after a period of heavy rain in New York. That was when I realized that I wanted to discover more about the world around me. Why did worms come out after heavy rainfall? Why do people react the way they do? In high school, I realized that my questions could be reduced to a molecular level. I discovered a more appropriate way to obtain answers about the world: biology. My passion for biology grows with every passing day. Currently, I am pursuing a major in the subject. To build on my knowledge, I spent the past year volunteering at the Pinto Lab. The lab focuses on neurodevelopmental disorders, such as schizophrenia or epilepsy. The majority of my tasks consisted of running agarose gels and extracting RNA from human brain tissue. Participating in this research has fueled my desire to learn more. Since the work I do is mostly wet-lab-related, I want to start exploring the computational side of research. Storing and analyzing biological data is essential to the field of genetics and genomics; possessing these skills will allow me to fulfill a larger role in research. Once I develop said skills, I want laboratory work to continue being a part of my career. By taking strides to understand how the genetic code works, I believe that I can contribute to advances in medicine. For instance, the RNA transcript variants that I identified during my time at the Pinto Lab may one day be used by medical experts to ascertain whether a patient might be at risk for developing schizophrenia. Since I know how difficult it is to maintain one’s mental health, my wish is that this early intervention can make this journey more manageable. I also want to use my presence in the scientific world to ensure that samples from all races are included. Diversity in research is important because it shows that the results apply to a wide range of people. This summer I will be volunteering with the Lupoli Lab at New York University. I will be working closely with bacteria. One of our focuses is the observation of survival mechanisms used by bacteria. By synthesizing molecules that suppress these mechanisms, the bacteria will be unable to continue proliferating. My participation in this research may play a role in the development of antibiotics. Through my research, I want to make an impact and invoke curiosity in others. For people with schizophrenia, my research may aid psychiatrists in making diagnoses. Early intervention can prevent the symptoms from becoming more severe and interfering with the individual’s well-being. Conducting research on schizophrenia and spreading information on it can also make it easier to talk about the topic, thus reducing the stigma surrounding it. Meanwhile, my work with the Lupoli Lab during the summer may contribute to new advances in antibiotics. Antibiotics provide relief to people with bacterial infections. If my research helps someone in the future, I hope that they think for a moment: How could they tell that I may be at risk for schizophrenia this early in my life? How do antibiotics work? This might eventually lead them to wonder: Why do people react the way they do? With these questions in mind, their appreciation of biology may deepen as well.

The look of disbelief on my mother’s face as I showed her the worm cupped in my hands is permanently etched into my mind. It was the first time that I had seen one, after a period of heavy rain in New York. That was when I realized that I wanted to discover more about the world around me. Why did worms come out after heavy rainfall? Why do people react the way they do? In high school, I realized that my questions could be reduced to a molecular level. I discovered a more appropriate way to obtain answers about the world: biology. My passion for biology grows with every passing day. Currently I am pursuing a major in the subject. To build onto my knowledge, I utilize my free time by volunteering at the Pinto Lab. The lab focuses on neurodevelopmental disorders, such as schizophrenia or epilepsy. The majority of my tasks consist of running agarose gels and extracting RNA from human brain tissue. Participating in this research has fueled my desire to learn more. Since the work I do is mostly wet lab related, I want to start exploring the computational side of research. Storing and analyzing biological data is essential to the field of genetics and genomics; possessing these skills will allow me to fulfill a larger role in research. Once I develop said skills, I want laboratory work to continue being a part of my career. By taking strides to understand how the genetic code works, I believe that I can contribute to advances in medicine. For instance, the research I am doing now identifies mRNA isoforms that may have an influence on whether or not someone has schizophrenia. Medical experts could use this information to intervene during the early stages of their patients’ lives. I know how difficult it is to maintain one’s mental health. My hope is that this early intervention can make this journey more manageable. I also want to use my presence in the scientific world to ensure that samples from all races are included. Diversity in research is important, because it shows that the results are applicable to a wider range of people. Funding my education, though, can be a challenge. In addition to tuition, expensive textbooks make paying for school challenging. Several professors also require students to purchase subscriptions to websites dedicated to learning. Since they assign homework through these websites, I can’t opt out of paying for them. Commuter fees are an issue as well. I reside in the Bronx, but my university is located in Manhattan. I also have to travel consistently in order to volunteer at the laboratory. Paying for the subways and buses every day adds up, and can easily become a financial strain. With this scholarship, I hope to overcome my financial struggles and continue studying biology.

I remember running outside after it rained one day. The look of disbelief on my mother’s face as I show her the worm cupped in my hands is permanently etched into my mind. That was when I realized that I wanted to discover more about the world around me. Why did worms come out after heavy rainfall? Why do people react the way they do? In high school, I realized that my questions could be reduced to a molecular level. I discovered a more appropriate way to obtain these answers: biology. My passion for biology grows with every passing day. Currently, I am pursuing a major in the subject. To build on my knowledge, I utilize my free time by volunteering at the Pinto Lab. The lab focuses on neurodevelopmental disorders, such as schizophrenia or epilepsy. The majority of my tasks consist of running agarose gels and extracting RNA from human brain tissue. Participating in this research has fueled my desire to learn more. Since the work I do is mostly wet lab-related, I want to start exploring the computational side of research. Storing and analyzing biological data is essential to the field of genetics and genomics; possessing these skills will allow me to fulfill a larger role in research. Once I develop said skills, I want laboratory work to continue being a part of my career. By taking strides to understand how the genetic code works, I believe that I can contribute to advances in medicine. For instance, the research I am doing now identifies mRNA isoforms that may influence whether or not someone has schizophrenia. Medical experts could use this information to intervene during the early stages of their patients’ lives. I know how difficult it is to maintain one’s mental health. I hope that this early intervention can make this journey more manageable. I also want to use my presence in the scientific world to ensure that samples from all races are included. Diversity in research is necessary because it shows that the results can apply to a wider range of people. Funding my education, though, can be a challenge. In addition to tuition, expensive textbooks make paying for school challenging. Several professors also require students to purchase subscriptions to websites dedicated to learning. Since they assign homework through these websites, I can’t opt out of paying for them. Commuter fees are an issue as well. I reside in the Bronx, but my university is located in Manhattan. I also have to travel frequently to volunteer at the laboratory. Paying for the subways and buses every day adds up, and can easily become a financial strain. With this scholarship, I hope to overcome my financial struggles and continue studying biology.

When I saw the poor grade that I received on my chemistry exam, I stressed over it a lot. I felt like an imposter amongst the other New York University students, which I felt were smarter than me. For a few days, I focused more on reprimanding myself rather than moving on and aiming for a better score on my next test. My mood improved only after I put my playlist on shuffle and the song “The Bare Necessities” from The Jungle Book began playing. I have always admired Baloo’s carefree attitude, which is why he’s my favorite Disney character. Listening to his singing, I felt the stress of my situation melting away. I realized that one grade was not the end of the world. I still had reasons to be happy. Inspired by Baloo’s fondness for his home, I turned to my home (my friends and family) to lift my spirits. With their support, I was able to overcome my disappointment. Now I am volunteering at the Pinto Lab at the Icahn School of Medicine, doing research that could one day help people with epilepsy and schizophrenia, and the grade does not haunt me at all. To this day I can perfectly recite the tongue twister in the song (“when you pick a pawpaw or a prickly pear…”), but it is not the only thing that I have learned from Baloo. I believe that his character can reveal to us the mindset that we should have toward life. As he says, there’s no need to act like bees: overworking ourselves to the point that our mental health suffers. Nor should we spend all of our time worrying about circumstances beyond our control. Rather, what we should focus on amid our most difficult moments is that we have “the bare necessities of life”. In other words, we should appreciate that we have enough to survive, and life is what matters the most.

My goal in life is for my research to have a positive impact on the lives of others. For instance, I am currently volunteering at the Pinto Lab at the Icahn School of Medicine and researching neurodevelopment disorders, which I hope will one day contribute to the treatment of patients with schizophrenia or epilepsy. Being able to afford an education in biology will help me achieve this goal.

Once, as a kid, I picked up a worm and put it in my pocket. My parents were shocked, but I couldn't help but be interested in the world around me. As I started making friends, I became more interested in people. Why do they act the way they do? In high school, I realized that my questions could be reduced to a molecular level. I discovered a more appropriate way to obtain these answers: biology. My passion for biology grows with every passing day. Currently I am pursuing a major in the subject. To build onto my knowledge, I utilize my free time by volunteering at the Pinto Lab. The lab focuses on neurodevelopmental disorders, such as schizophrenia or epilepsy. The majority of my tasks consist of pipetting, amplifying DNA, and running agarose gels. Participating in this research has fueled my desire to learn more. Since the work I do is mostly wet lab related, I want to start exploring the computational side of research. Storing and analyzing biological data is essential to the field of genetics and genomics; possessing these skills will allow me to fulfill a larger role in research. Once I develop said skills, I want laboratory work to continue being a part of my career. By taking strides to understand how the genetic code works, I believe that I can contribute to advances in medicine. For instance, the research I am doing now identifies mRNA isoforms that may have an influence on whether or not someone has schizophrenia. Medical experts could use this information to intervene during the early stages of their patients’ lives. I know how difficult it is to maintain one’s mental health. My hope is that this early intervention can make this journey more manageable. Funding my education, though, can be a challenge. In addition to tuition, expensive textbooks make paying for school challenging. Several professors also require students to purchase subscriptions to websites dedicated to learning. Since they assign homework through these websites, I can’t opt out of paying for them. Commuter fees are an issue as well. I reside in the Bronx, but my university is located in Manhattan. I also have to travel back and forth between the laboratory that I volunteer at. Paying for the subways and buses every day adds up, and can easily become a financial strain. With this scholarship, I hope to overcome my financial struggles and continue studying biology.

Even with a congested nose and a scarf tightly wrapped around my face, I could smell the aroma of food as soon as I stepped out of the elevator. I would already know why; Christmastime meant family meals. I remember the clinking of pots, one for the collard greens that my grandmother made every year. Flaky pie crusts would be set aside and wait to be filled with spinach. Sometimes I would be given a few dollars to buy more aluminum pans, so the salmon could be baked in the oven. Since the salmon was my favorite part of the meal, I would eagerly agree. At the time, I did not know that these were considered superfoods. My love for them was rooted solely in the fact that they were delicious. Now that I am older, this love is mixed with nostalgia as well. Because they are foods that my family has shared with me, superfoods have become an integral part of my identity. After learning that these foods also provide me with health benefits, my appreciation for them has deepened. Today I continue to incorporate these foods into my diet. I do not always have the time or money to eat salmon every week. However, there are other superfoods that are cheaper and more convenient, while still being tasty. When I want breakfast in the morning, I usually turn to oatmeal. There have been several nights where I have eaten quesadillas filled with black beans. I also experiment with my dishes and try to find creative ways to include superfoods, like substituting black beans for ground beef in sloppy joes. I have not stopped using superfoods as a way to connect with others either. For instance, my mother and I like to watch movies at home. Rather than share buttery popcorn, we prefer to eat yogurt with granola sprinkled on top. This way, we can bond and enjoy superfoods at the same time. Another example is going out to buy açaí bowls with my friends. Places that sell açaí bowls often have the option to customize them. There are multiple toppings to choose from: blueberries, granola, peanut butter. Talking and eating together makes me feel closer to my friends. I believe that superfoods should be included in everyone’s meals. They are an easy way to improve physical and mental health, and my experience proves that eating healthy foods does not have to be boring or restrictive. Many superfoods are already commonplace items in households too. With a bit more awareness, we can actively choose to make superfoods an important part of our diets.

I am breathless, stumbling out into a crowd, and then a stranger pulls me into a hug, as if shielding me from the chaos. “You were so good onstage,” she says with awe. The word onstage takes me back to a few moments ago. Someone shouts my cue; I rush out into the lights; it’s over. My friends and I bow, hands linked as if we were one breathing body—a one-man show. For just a second in this admirer’s embrace, I belong to the body again, and then I break free of the crowd, and I am no longer an actress, just a student. In my youth I was a timid girl. Before answering questions in class, I would write down my thoughts to avoid mistakes or pauses, only to never raise my hand. This trait of mine creeped into other scenarios as well. In the doctor’s office, I would stare teary-eyed at her mouth, which moved but relayed no sound. Only on a few occasions was I able to order from restaurants. When I was unable to get the words out, I sank into my mother’s side, my home amongst the unknown. This changed significantly when I discovered my passion for theater, shortly after joining the theater workshop in high school. Reciting my lines with others, I realized the importance of working in groups, being a part of a body. Even on the actual day of production, supporting my peers was essential. If a fellow actress accidentally omitted an important detail or skipped some lines, I helped her steer things in the right direction. Improvisation aided me in this endeavor, a skill I had not discovered until now. Though I shined in a group, I also practiced often on my own. Without being prompted to do so, I worked on my lines from home, and I honed my memory. Knowing that my hard work would pay off onstage was enough to give me a sense of fulfillment. Most importantly, I confronted my shyness, which had made me feel inferior to other people for so long. The stage elevated me, physically and mentally, and I refused to succumb to my shyness again. Though my theater days are behind me, the experience affects me today. My most recent love is an opera named "Rigoletto". I watched the duet in the first act in tears, deeply moved by Rigoletto proclaiming that his daughter, Gilda, is his world. I felt strong appreciation for my family afterwards. Because they have cared for me like Rigoletto cared for Gilda, I want to be able to support my parents in the future. This goal fuels my desire to further my education. Not only does theater still influence me emotionally, the skills I acquired from acting continue to be useful. Currently I am volunteering at the Hess Center for Science and Medicine, which is located in Mount Sinai Hospital. I participate in research on neurodevelopmental disorders, such as schizophrenia and epilepsy. As if we were simply reciting lines, I work well with the other researchers. For example, if someone has forgotten a reagent necessary for the reaction, I get it for them. Sometimes, as I ride the 6 train to the lab, I can feel my legs shaking. I can see my shyness sitting across from me. When this happens, I feign confidence, like I am playing a character onstage. By the time I put my lab coat on, I become so engrossed in the role that there is no character; I am me, ready to take on the world once again.

After standing for four hours in chemistry lab, I peel off my goggles, which cling to my face like my cat clings to my body when she is terrified. It feels as if the goggles also have claws somehow: they leave deep indents around my eyes. I wipe off the condensation that has formed on the lenses, a mixture of my sweat and moist air rising from the water bath that my beaker had been in. I bury them in my book bag and push the doors open, stumbling into darkness. Cutting through Washington Square Park to get to the train station felt like walking through Central Park in these moments, my exhaustion making the park triple in size. Before descending the station’s stairs, I would stop in 7-Eleven; there I would purchase some chocolate milk as a reward for getting through the day. The sweetness revitalized me; the deep breathes I took after chugging it down brought life back into my lungs. Having said that, if I had $1,000 right now, the first thing I would do is go outside and buy myself some chocolate milk. Then I would start putting the money towards school, textbooks, and the public transportation fees that I have to pay as a commuter. While education is a priority, taking care of myself is just as important, and I think we should be mindful of the need for a balance between the two.

As the twinkle of gold leaf catches your eye, you may picture extravagance: perhaps a group dancing in a ballroom, palaces or churches, portraits of kings. To your surprise what the precious metal illuminates is a mundane scene. Two lovers entangled, a piece by Gustav Klimt known as “The Kiss”. Though separate heads and limbs are visible in the painting, their bodies have rejected any clear distinction between the two; their robes and hearts become one. Beneath them, flowers bloom. The two figures meshing together is a notable feature. For me it represents the influence that others have on our personalities and lives. Though the two figures are assumed to be lovers, I believe that all relationships affect us. Some of my most valuable skills are adopted from my friends and family. My determination to receive a good education and have an impact on the world mirrors my mother’s determination to raise her children as best as she can. The flowers also serve as an emphasis on life and birth. They can also serve as a symbol for people, who are capable of blooming when surrounded by love. Focusing on his technique, it makes sense to me that Klimt chose to add gold leaf to a painting depicting such a simple act of love. Using the gold leaf, he most likely wanted to highlight the importance of ordinary moments. Kisses, hugs, spending time with loved ones: these are all interactions that we tend to overlook, especially if we do them on a daily basis. However, for me and Klimt and everyone else in the world, these moments should have just as much value as gold.

I am breathless, stumbling out into a crowd, and then a stranger pulls me into a hug, as if shielding me from the chaos. “You were so good onstage,” she says with awe. The word onstage takes me back to a few moments ago. Someone shouts my cue; I rush out into the lights; it’s over. Quick, consecutive, done. My friends and I bow, hands linked as if we were one breathing body—a one-man show. For just a second in this admirer’s embrace, I belong to the body again, and then I break free of the crowd, and I am no longer an actress, just a student. In my youth I was a fragile and timid girl. Before answering questions in class, I would write down my thoughts to avoid mistakes or pauses, and then fail to raise my hand anyways. Then I would hear my answer from someone else’s lips and, despite my better judgment, envy them. This trait of mine creeped into other scenarios as well. In the doctor’s office, I would stare teary-eyed at her mouth, which moved but relayed no sound. Only on a few occasions was I able to order from restaurants. When I was unable to get the words out, I sank into my mother’s side, my home amongst the unknown. Gathering the courage to join the theater workshop in high school is my greatest achievement to date. Reciting my lines with others, I realized the importance of working in groups, being a part of a body. Even on the actual day of production, supporting my peers was essential. If a fellow actress accidentally omitted an important detail or skipped some lines, I helped her steer things in the right direction. Improvisation aided me in this endeavor, a skill I had not discovered until now. Though I shined in a group, I also practiced often on my own. Without being prompted to, I worked on my lines from home, and I honed my memory. Knowing that my hard work would pay off onstage was enough to give me a sense of fulfillment. Most importantly, I confronted my shyness, which had made me feel inferior to other people for so long. The stage elevated me, physically and mentally, and I refused to succumb to my shyness again. Though my theater days are behind me, the experience still affects my actions today. With the skills that I developed from acting, I am able to actively pursue my interest in biology. Currently I am volunteering at the Hess Center for Science and Medicine, which is located in Mount Sinai Hospital. I help with research on neurodevelopmental disorders, such as schizophrenia and epilepsy. As if we were simply reciting lines, I work well with the other scientists. If someone has forgotten a reagent necessary for the reaction, I get it for them. Sometimes, as I ride the 6 train to the lab, I can feel my legs shaking. I can see my shyness sitting across from me. When this happens, I feign confidence, like I am playing a character onstage. By the time I put my lab coat on, I become so engrossed in the role that there is no character; I am me, ready to take on the world once again.

When I find myself struggling to remain positive, I pull out a piece of paper and write: “Dear Ashley…” Poetry has always been a way for me to maintain my mental health. When I looked down at the words in my notebook though, I felt that I was merely separating my despair from myself. I needed a more intimate way to confront my sadness. I discovered a better method in high school, when my psychology teacher told us to write letters to our inner child. We had talked about the inner child before: how our subconscious feelings and desires were a part of us, even if we felt ashamed to address them at our age. At first I thought the assignment was silly. This inner child wasn’t a concrete thing, like a person that I could meet and talk to. Still, I had work to do, and I jotted down some nice statements that I thought my teacher would approve. I didn’t think of my inner child again until years later. It was the day after I received midterm grades. College was difficult for me. I had just started taking chemistry and biology, and throughout the semester I struggled with the question of whether or not that path was truly right for me. I had tried striking up conversations with other people, but as a commuter, I felt that I couldn’t form bonds with my peers. Every day was stressful, and fearing that they could never be anything more, the days became a meaningless blur. I laid in bed contemplating the grades, then sat up and brought out a notebook. Envisioning my younger self, I began writing. She was naive and shy, convinced that she was too weak for the world. I wanted to write to her, without using any deprecating language. I wanted to comfort her. I wanted to tell her that I love her, and that she could do anything. But she was me, and the statements held true even in the present. With my renewed faith in myself, I studied more efficiently next semester. I also took up hobbies, like identifying plants and preparing tea, to avoid putting too much stress on myself. Writing to yourself continues to be my most important tip for clearing your mind, and I utilize it today. What matters is that you pay attention to yourself and your needs, because somewhere deep inside, your inner child is waiting for you to notice those needs.

One reason I love nature: it’s delicious. I first learned this when I went on a foraging tour in Central Park, led by a person who affectionately called himself a “wild man”. I can vividly recall when he showed the group the eastern redbud. The petals were a beautiful pink, as if they were blushing in response to our awestruck stares. Tiny and plentiful, they tasted slightly sweet, like snap peas. Ever since I’ve met the redbud tree, I stop and snap pictures of every plant I see. I’ve watched over the curly dock in my neighborhood like a mother watching her child. It thrilled me when late spring came, and suddenly they produced tall stems with green flowers. Edible or not, I take pride in being acquainted with the world around me. All plants have significance and interact with the world in some way, such as feeding the animals around us. Animals can also eat some of the same plants as us, so nothing should be overharvested. Another way that I connect with nature is through tea. Drinking tea is a favorite pastime of mine; I always look forward to pouring a cup for someone while we talk and laugh. Many teas are herbal ones, meaning that they are the result of steeping the flowers or other parts of a plant in water. One popular example is matcha. Every time I sit down with a cup of herbal tea, I’m reminded of nature and my appreciation for it, and that means almost every day!