My passion for research and medicine was sparked at the age of 12 when my parents explained that I was a carrier of the gene for sickle cell anemia. They explained how, if I married someone with the trait, our children might inherit the disease. This simple explanation sparked my curiosity, and I began to research sickle cell and genetics. I learned about Punnett squares, examined pictures of sickle-shaped blood cells, and explored the genetic mutation that causes the disease—a substitution of valine for glutamine in the hemoglobin protein. However, it wasn’t just the theory of genetics that motivated me; a personal connection deepened my commitment. After moving to a new school, I became close friends with a girl who had sickle cell anemia. She and I shared a dream of becoming doctors, often discussing the human body and biology. While I understood the theoretical aspects of her illness, it wasn’t until she passed away unexpectedly in her first year of college from a severe sickle cell crisis that I truly grasped the reality of living with this condition. Her death, at such a young age, was a painful reminder of how little research and attention has been devoted to sickle cell anemia, particularly in Africa, where the disease disproportionately affects the population. I vowed to pursue a career in medicine and research to honor her memory and to help others suffering from genetic disorders. This passion evolved further when I participated in an online biotechnology course with the Boston Leadership Institute. During the course, I learned about the revolutionary use of gene therapy to treat genetic diseases. This knowledge opened my eyes to the immense potential of medical research, particularly for diseases that are under-researched in Africa. Growing up in The Gambia, I witnessed the scarcity of medical research focused on genetic diseases affecting African populations. I became determined to focus my future research on diseases which have long been neglected. In addition to my academic interests, my experiences volunteering at a rural mission hospital in The Gambia shaped my desire to pursue medicine. I volunteered as a scribe for an OB/GYN, writing down fetal measurements for pregnant women. When the doctor identified that one fetus was not viable, I was tasked with documenting the information and referring the patient to a better-equipped hospital for further care. I vividly remember the emotional moment when the news was delivered to the mother. This experience, coupled with seeing the lack of resources at the hospital, strengthened my resolve to pursue medicine with a focus on underserved communities. My career goals are continuously evolving, but I am determined to pursue an MD-PhD program. I plan to specialize in either family medicine or pediatrics to help address the healthcare needs of children, and eventually focus my research on under-researched genetic diseases in Africa or immunology linked to tropical diseases. I aspire to use my medical education to drive innovation in healthcare, particularly in regions where diseases like sickle cell anemia are prevalent but under-studied. I also hope to bring greater attention to the importance of educating young people in Africa, where only 23% of the population has access to education beyond lower secondary school. Through my academic and volunteer experiences, I have developed a strong foundation in both science and service. This scholarship will give me the opportunity to continue my education and research, equipping me to contribute meaningfully to the fields of medicine and medical research. With the support of this scholarship, I'll be one step closer to turning my aspirations into a reality.

Growing up in The Gambia, surrounded by many for whom basic education is still a luxury and understanding the unique battle with tropical disease has created in me a hunger and passion for education, longing to positively impact others both in my career and West Africa, and my long-term career goal of medical research into rare and tropical diseases. I have a passion and flair for problem-solving and seek to contribute to resolving global issues. From a young age, I had an inquisitive mind that was over-fascinated by the natural world around me. I always wanted to know "why?" and find solutions to the problems I noticed around me. I found a way over time to channel this through science, which at its very nature and core is asking questions and seeking resolutions. Over the last five years, I have grown to love biology. I also seem to have a natural flair for math and numbers and enjoy the logical process of manipulating numbers to arrive at a conclusion. My career goals are continuing to evolve. However, I plan to use my passion for human biology and math to go to medical school with the goal to ultimately go into medical research. My dream future steps are undertaking an MD/PhD program, with my research focusing on topics such as under-researched genetic diseases in the continent of Africa, or immunology linked to tropical diseases. I intend to specialize in either family medicine or pediatrics to help me attain this goal as well. I desire and aspire to have my work to be rooted in service, innovation, and continued learning. A few years ago, right in the middle of my high school studies, my little brother, who had been born with a congenital heart defect, developed health problems which forced my family to move continents to get the medical care he needed. This move put a significant strain on my family’s resources, particularly as it resulted in only one source of income for a long time. Receiving a scholarship would help me immensely in helping me to finish my degree. It would enable me to focus on my studies, as I would not need to work to pay for it. In fact, as an international student, there are already limits to the time I can work which restricts my earning potential and makes it difficult to pay the significant fees I face. This scholarship would enable me to be able to work fewer hours, thus creating more time to devote to my passion for volunteering with kids. I would also love to be able to volunteer at Sparrow Hospital next semester as I continue to work towards getting a medical degree and helping others. My parents have made huge sacrifices, leaving their home country of Nigeria and working incredibly hard to send me across the ocean for a good education. I desire to make sure I honor these sacrifices by doing my utmost in all aspects of my college life. Not graduating in debt would also enable me to give back financially in the future, helping the students who come after me.

Growing up in The Gambia, surrounded by many for whom basic education is still a luxury and understanding the unique battle with tropical disease has created in me a hunger and passion for education, longing to positively impact others both in my career and West Africa, and my long-term career goal of medical research into rare and tropical diseases. I have a passion and flair for problem-solving and seek to contribute to resolving global issues. From a young age, I had an inquisitive mind that was over-fascinated by the natural world around me. I always wanted to know "why?" and find solutions to the problems I noticed around me. I found a way over time to channel this through science, which at its very nature and core is asking questions and seeking resolutions. Over the last five years, I have grown to love biology. I also seem to have a natural flair for math and numbers and enjoy the logical process of manipulating numbers to arrive at a conclusion. My career goals are continuing to evolve. However, I plan to use my passion for human biology and math to go to medical school with the goal to ultimately go into medical research. My dream future steps are undertaking an MD/PhD program, with my research focusing on topics such as under-researched genetic diseases in the continent of Africa, or immunology linked to tropical diseases. I intend to specialize in either family medicine or pediatrics to help me attain this goal as well. I desire and aspire to have my work to be rooted in service, innovation, and continued learning. A few years ago, right in the middle of my high school studies, my little brother, who had been born with a congenital heart defect, developed health problems which forced my family to move continents to get the medical care he needed. This move put a significant strain on my family’s resources, particularly as it resulted in only one source of income for a long time. Receiving a scholarship would help me immensely in helping me to finish my degree. It would enable me to focus on my studies, as I would not need to work to pay for it. In fact, as an international student, there are already limits to the time I can work which restricts my earning potential and makes it difficult to pay the significant fees I face. A scholarship would enable me to be able to work fewer hours, thus creating more time to devote to my passion for volunteering with kids. I would also love to be able to volunteer at Sparrow Hospital next semester as I continue to work towards getting a medical degree and helping others. My parents have made huge sacrifices, leaving their home country of Nigeria and working incredibly hard to send me across the ocean for a good education. I desire to make sure I honor these sacrifices by doing my utmost in all aspects of my college life. Not graduating in debt would also enable me to give back financially in the future, helping the students who come after me.