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Claire Andrews

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Finalist

General information

Hobbies & Interests

  • Acting And Theater
  • Ballroom Dancing
  • Dance
  • Tutoring
  • Chess
  • Reading
  • Social Justice
  • Community Service And Volunteering
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Social Work

Reading

  • Academic
  • Science Fiction
  • Thriller
  • Classics
  • Novels
  • Literature

I read books daily.

Bio

Hey, my name is Claire. I am a fiercely ambitious and passionately artistic future NASA scientist and social justice advocate. I am majoring in cellular and molecular biology and minoring in chemistry and data science at Seattle University. I love learning about science of all kinds and plan to earn a Ph.D. before becoming a medical researcher. I hope to create cures, treatments, and preventions for genetic and immunological diseases. I am also a student of the Seattle University humanities-based Honors Program. In addition to my academics, I am passionate about social justice. I am working at a local homeless shelter as a monitor and case manager. It has been a truly amazing opportunity to learn, grow, and serve my community. I also tutor math, writing, biology, and chemistry at Skagit Valley College. I have been so inspired by the process of helping others to achieve their academic goals. While focusing my long-term career goals on biology and research, I hope to make social justice and community service a constant in my life. I have a deep connection to the arts. For the past ten years, I have been highly involved in all aspects of theater, from stage management and costume design to acting, choreographing, directing, and teaching. At age five, I fell in love with dance. When I was young, this took the shape of ballet, tap, jazz, and hip-hop. I have recently found my home at Century Ballroom as a Lindy Hopper and swing dancer.

Education

Seattle University

Bachelor's degree program

2019 – 2023

Majors:
  • Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology
Minors:
  • Data Processing
  • Chemistry

Miscellaneous

Desired degree level:
Doctoral degree program (PhD, MD, JD, etc.)
Graduate schools of interest:
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Harvard College, University of California-San Francisco
Medical school interest:
No
Test scores:
  • SAT1400

Career

  • Courtesy Clerk

    Grocery · Haggen Grocery

    Jan 2019 – Jan 2019

  • Plant Care Assistant

    Agriculture · Azusa Farm and Gardens

    Jan 2019 – Jan 2019

  • Shelter Monitor

    Civic & Social Organization · Skagit First Step Center: Homeless Shelter

    Jan 2021 – Present

  • Tutor (Math, Chemistry, Biology, Writing)

    Education · Skagit Valley College

    Jan 2021 – Present

Miscellaneous

Dream career field:
Research
Dream career goals:
Molecular Biologist
Has nursing license:
No

Future Interests

  • Advocacy
  • Volunteering
  • Philanthropy
Rho Brooks Women in STEM Scholarship
My brother and I have a complicated relationship, but what siblings don’t? I look up to my big brother and always have. When we were young we played, explored, and learned together. He inspired my early interest in science. We built spaceships out of Legos on the floor of his room, played together in the creek that runs behind our house, and learned about the world side-by-side. However, our childhood joy and freedom quickly came to an end. My brother was thirteen when his disorder decided to show itself, starting with a migraine that just never left. After a year and a half of uncertainty, he was finally diagnosed with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome or POTS, for short. He experiences a whole range of symptoms that include dizziness, nausea, and constant exhaustion, which prevent him from attending school regularly, doing the things he wants to do, and accomplishing the things he wants to accomplish. Every day he struggles with chronic illness. A little-known, under-researched disorder stole a career in engineering from my brother and my brother from me. My brother has faced failing classes and lost aspirations. He has faced crippling depression and blinding anger. I felt heartbroken because it hurt so much to see him in pain and losing everything. In our search for a solution or even just answers, he saw countless neurologists, cardiologists, pain specialists, physical therapists, ophthalmologists, and psychologists. He went through myriad tests, MRIs, and blood diagnostics. He was given numerous cocktails of drugs and medications, many with devastating side effects. Through all of this, we have never found a cure. Over the past ten years, my brother has gained strength and learned how to manage his symptoms. He is still not healthy; he has to struggle ten times harder to reach the same goals as others, but he is able to do a lot more and function a lot better. His bravery all these years has inspired me throughout my education. He has worked so hard to achieve his goals and I will do the same. I am headed into my junior year at Seattle University. I am working on a major in cellular and molecular biology and minors in chemistry and data science. I will go on to earn a Master’s and a Doctorate and I will become a medical researcher. I will dedicate my career to finding treatments for diseases like the one my brother faces. I will provide families like my own with answers and people like my brother with hope. I have found great passion in learning about the microscopic workings of the human body and the medical breakthroughs of past scientists. I am honored to have the ability to someday add to the collective knowledge of the scientific community and work towards improving the quality of life for those experiencing chronic illness.
SkipSchool Scholarship
How is multicellularity possible? Evolutionary biologist Lynn Margulis (1938-2011) set out to answer this age-old biological question through her Theory of Endosymbiosis; the idea that mitochondria, chloroplasts, and other organelle began as separate single-cellular organisms. According to her theory, these organisms developed a symbiotic relationship with larger cells, producing energy for the cell and receiving protection in return, before eventually evolving into permanent cellular structures. Like many female scientists, Margulis was largely ignored and disregarded for several decades before the scientific community finally realized the significance of her work and awarded her the credit and recognition she had so clearly earned.
Claire Andrews Student Profile | Bold.org