Time seemed to stand still as I sat with the pen in my hand. I had been waiting for an abnormally long time to take the head circumference measurement, and as I watched the doctor repeat the ultrasound scan I was alerted to the fact that something might be wrong. My church had recently volunteered to take over a mission hospital in a rural village in The Gambia and I had volunteered to scribe for the OB/GYN on Saturday mornings. I had already recorded all the fetal chart measurements on dozens of pregnant women before and had sunk into a steady rhythm, knowing which measurement to prepare for next. The doctor finally dictated the measurement and then instructed me to note that the fetus was not viable and a summary of contacts for a better-equipped hospital a few hours away. The moment when this information was finally relayed to the patient via translator has stayed with me and is a prominent reason why I decided to pursue medicine and developed a longing to serve especially where more help is needed. 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 in my career. In the future, I plan to use my passion for human biology and math to go to medical school and 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. 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 this 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. As an international student, there are 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 devote more time 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 that come after me.

Time seemed to stand still as I sat with the pen in my hand. I had been waiting for an abnormally long time to take the head circumference measurement, and as I watched the doctor repeat the ultrasound scan I was alerted to the fact that something might be wrong. My church had recently volunteered to take over a mission hospital in a rural village in The Gambia and I had volunteered to scribe for the OB/GYN one Saturday morning. I had already recorded all the fetal chart measurements on dozens of pregnant women before and had sunk into a steady rhythm, knowing which measurement to prepare for next. The doctor finally dictated the measurement and then instructed me to note that the fetus was not viable and a summary of contacts for a better-equipped hospital a few hours away. The moment when this information was finally relayed to the patient via translator has stayed with me and is a prominent reason why I decided to pursue medicine and developed a longing to serve especially where more help is needed. 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 in my career. In the future, I plan to use my passion for human biology and math to go to medical school and 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. 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 this 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. As an international student, there are 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 devote more time 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 that 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 in my career. I have a passion and flair for problem-solving and seek to contribute to resolving global issues. I grew up with 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 few years, I have grown to love (human) biology, and seek to use this passion to help others. I recently had the opportunity to intern at a research campus in The Gambia and study Immunology. I found a way to impact others: teaching the skill of academic writing, required for the internship, but which other interns had not been as exposed to. Thus, I found I had a skill that I could share with my community of interns. Eventually, a new tradition of gathering each afternoon to teach each other our specific and unique skills emerged, greatly enriching our time as interns. In the end, not only had I learned far more than I expected, but I had forged meaningful connections and made an impact. Being drawn to STEM, I’ve been surprised to see how many people are disinterested in math and science or consider themselves “bad” at math. After being asked by my teacher to teach some of my classmates biology a few times, I discovered that I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I could develop this skill. Eventually, I was recommended by one of the special education teachers to tutor one of her students and discovered that I was good at providing visual models and other resources for students with ADHD. I went on to tutor neurotypical and neurodivergent middle and high school students, in English and French. These new study/teaching methods aided in making a difference for my students. In the future, I plan to use my passion for human biology and math to go to medical school 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. Receiving this scholarship would help me immensely in helping me to finish my degree. I currently work, but laws as an international student limit what I can earn, so it would enable me to focus on my studies and devote more time to my passion for volunteering with kids. I would also love to be able to volunteer a hospital next semester as I continue to work towards getting a medical degree and helping others. My parents have made huge sacrifices, 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. It 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 in my career. I have a passion and flair for problem-solving and seek to contribute to resolving global issues. I grew up with 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. Being drawn to STEM, I’ve been surprised to see how many people are disinterested in math and science or consider themselves “bad” at math. After being asked by my teacher to teach some of my classmates biology a few times, I discovered that I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I could develop this skill. Eventually, I was recommended by one of the special education teachers to tutor one of her students and discovered that I was good at providing visual models and other resources for students with ADHD. I went on to tutor neurotypical and neurodivergent middle and high school students, in English and French. These new study/teaching methods aided in making a difference for my students. 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 significant strain on my family’s resources, particularly as it resulted in only one source of income for a long time. Receiving this 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 devote more time to my passion of volunteering with kids. I would also love to volunteer at a 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 that come after me. My future plans are to use my passion for human biology and math to go to medical school with the goal to also go into medical research. My dream future steps are undertaking an MD/PhD program, with my research focusing on the 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.

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 in my career. I have a passion and flair for problem-solving and seek to contribute to resolving global issues. I grew up with 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. I recently had the opportunity to intern at a research campus in The Gambia and study Immunology. I found a way to impact others: teaching the skill of academic writing, required for the internship, but which other interns had not been as exposed to. Thus, I found I had a skill that I could share with my community of interns. Eventually, a new tradition of gathering each afternoon to teach each other our specific and unique skills emerged, greatly enriching our time as interns. In the end, not only had I learned far more than I expected, but I had forged meaningful connections and made an impact. Being drawn to STEM, I’ve been surprised to see how many people are disinterested in math and science or consider themselves “bad” at math. After being asked by my teacher to teach some of my classmates biology a few times, I discovered that I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I could develop this skill. Eventually, I was recommended by one of the special education teachers to tutor one of her students and discovered that I was good at providing visual models and other resources for students with ADHD. I went on to tutor neurotypical and neurodivergent middle and high school students, in English and French. These new study/teaching methods aided in making a difference for my students. In the future, I plan to use my passion for human biology and math to go to medical school 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. Receiving this scholarship would help me immensely in helping me to finish my degree. I currently work, but laws as an international student limit what I can earn, so it would enable me to focus on my studies and devote more time 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, 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. It 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 in my career. I have a passion and flair for problem-solving and seek to contribute to resolving global issues. I grew up with 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. I recently had the opportunity to intern at a research campus in The Gambia and study Immunology. I found a way to impact others: teaching the skill of academic writing, required for the internship, but which other interns had not been as exposed to. Thus, I found I had a skill that I could share with my community of interns. Eventually, a new tradition of gathering each afternoon to teach each other our specific and unique skills emerged, greatly enriching our time as interns. In the end, not only had I learned far more than I expected, but I had forged meaningful connections and made an impact. Being drawn to STEM, I’ve been surprised to see how many people are disinterested in math and science or consider themselves “bad” at math. After being asked by my teacher to teach some of my classmates biology a few times, I discovered that I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I could develop this skill. Eventually, I was recommended by one of the special education teachers to tutor one of her students and discovered that I was good at providing visual models and other resources for students with ADHD. I went on to tutor neurotypical and neurodivergent middle and high school students, in English and French. These new study/teaching methods aided in making a difference for my students. In the future, I plan to use my passion for human biology and math to go to medical school 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. Receiving this scholarship would help me immensely in helping me to finish my degree. I currently work, but laws as an international student limit what I can earn, so it would enable me to focus on my studies and devote more time 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, 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. It 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 in my career. I have a passion and flair for problem-solving and seek to contribute to resolving global issues. I grew up with 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. I recently had the opportunity to intern at a research campus in The Gambia and study Immunology. I found a way to impact others: teaching the skill of academic writing, required for the internship, but which other interns had not been as exposed to. Thus, I found I had a skill that I could share with my community of interns. Eventually, a new tradition of gathering each afternoon to teach each other our specific and unique skills emerged, greatly enriching our time as interns. In the end, not only had I learned far more than I expected, but I had forged meaningful connections and made an impact. Being drawn to STEM, I’ve been surprised to see how many people are disinterested in math and science or consider themselves “bad” at math. After being asked by my teacher to teach some of my classmates biology a few times, I discovered that I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I could develop this skill. Eventually, I was recommended by one of the special education teachers to tutor one of her students and discovered that I was good at providing visual models and other resources for students with ADHD. I went on to tutor neurotypical and neurodivergent middle and high school students, in English and French. These new study/teaching methods aided in making a difference for my students. In the future, I plan to use my passion for human biology and math to go to medical school 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. Receiving this scholarship would help me immensely in helping me to finish my degree. I currently work, but laws as an international student limit what I can earn, so it would enable me to focus on my studies and devote more time 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, 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. It 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 in my career. I have a passion and flair for problem-solving and seek to contribute to resolving global issues. I grew up with 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. Last year I had the opportunity to intern at a research campus in The Gambia and study Immunology. I found a way to impact others: teaching the skill of academic writing, required for the internship, but which other interns had not been as exposed to. Thus, I found I had a skill that I could share with my community of interns. Eventually, a new tradition of gathering each afternoon to teach each other our specific and unique skills emerged, greatly enriching our time as interns. In the end, not only had I learned far more than I expected, but I had forged meaningful connections and made an impact. Being drawn to STEM, I’ve been surprised to see how many people are disinterested in math and science or consider themselves “bad” at math. After being asked by my teacher to teach some of my classmates biology a few times, I discovered that I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I could develop this skill. Eventually, I was recommended by one of the special education teachers to tutor one of her students and discovered that I was good at providing visual models and other resources for students with ADHD. I went on to tutor neurotypical and neurodivergent middle and high school students, in English and French. These new study/teaching methods aided in making a difference for my students. In the future, I plan to use my passion for human biology and math to go to medical school 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. Receiving this scholarship would help me immensely in helping me to finish my degree. I currently work, but laws as an international student limit what I can earn, so it would enable me to focus on my studies and devote more time 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, 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. It 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 in my career. I have a passion and flair for problem-solving and seek to contribute to resolving global issues. I grew up with 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. Last year I had the opportunity to intern at a research campus in The Gambia and study Immunology. I found a way to impact others: teaching the skill of academic writing, required for the internship, but which other interns had not been as exposed to. Thus, I found I had a skill that I could share with my community of interns. Eventually, a new tradition of gathering each afternoon to teach each other our specific and unique skills emerged, greatly enriching our time as interns. In the end, not only had I learned far more than I expected, but I had forged meaningful connections and made an impact. Being drawn to STEM, I’ve been surprised to see how many people are disinterested in math and science or consider themselves “bad” at math. After being asked by my teacher to teach some of my classmates biology a few times, I discovered that I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I could develop this skill. Eventually, I was recommended by one of the special education teachers to tutor one of her students and discovered that I was good at providing visual models and other resources for students with ADHD. I went on to tutor neurotypical and neurodivergent middle and high school students, in English and French. These new study/teaching methods aided in making a difference for my students. In the future, I plan to use my passion for human biology and math to go to medical school 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. Receiving this scholarship would help me immensely in helping me to finish my degree. I currently work, but laws as an international student limit what I can earn, so it would enable me to focus on my studies and devote more time 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, 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. It 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 in my career. I have a passion and flair for problem-solving and seek to contribute to resolving global issues. I grew up with 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. Last year I had the opportunity to intern at a research campus in The Gambia and study Immunology. I found a way to impact others: teaching the skill of academic writing, required for the internship, but which other interns had not been as exposed to. Thus, I found I had a skill that I could share with my community of interns. Eventually, a new tradition of gathering each afternoon to teach each other our specific and unique skills emerged, greatly enriching our time as interns. In the end, not only had I learned far more than I expected, but I had forged meaningful connections and made an impact. Being drawn to STEM, I’ve been surprised to see how many people are disinterested in math and science or consider themselves “bad” at math. After being asked by my teacher to teach some of my classmates biology a few times, I discovered that I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I could develop this skill. Eventually, I was recommended by one of the special education teachers to tutor one of her students and discovered that I was good at providing visual models and other resources for students with ADHD. I went on to tutor neurotypical and neurodivergent middle and high school students, in English and French. These new study/teaching methods aided in making a difference for my students. In the future, I plan to use my passion for human biology and math to go to medical school 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. Receiving this scholarship would help me immensely in helping me to finish my degree. I currently work, but laws as an international student limit what I can earn, so it would enable me to focus on my studies and devote more time 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, 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. It 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. 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. Last year I had the opportunity to intern at a research campus in The Gambia and study Immunology. I found a way to impact others: teaching the skill of academic writing, required for the internship, but which other interns had not been as exposed to. Thus, I found I had a skill that I could share with my community of interns. Eventually, a new tradition of gathering each afternoon to teach each other our specific and unique skills emerged, greatly enriching our time as interns. In the end, not only had I learned far more than I expected, but I had forged meaningful connections and made an impact. Being drawn to STEM, I’ve been surprised to see how many people are disinterested in math and science or consider themselves “bad” at math. After being asked by my teacher to teach some of my classmates biology a few times, I discovered that I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I could develop this skill. Eventually, I was recommended by one of the special education teachers to tutor one of her students and discovered that I was good at providing visual models and other resources for students with ADHD. I went on to tutor both neurotypical and neurodivergent middle and high school students, in English and French. These new study/teaching methods aided in making a difference for my students. In the future, 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. Receiving this scholarship would help me immensely in helping me to finish my degree. It would enable me to focus on my studies and devote more time 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, 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. It 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. 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.

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.

At 12 years old, my parents sat me down and explained that I was a carrier of the gene for sickle cell anemia, and gave me a simple description of how it might hurt any future children if I had a partner with the trait as well. Being fascinated by all things medical, all this did was spark my interest in sickle cell and other genetic conditions. I wanted to know all I could about sickle cell, so I learned to experiment with punnett squares for different hemoglobin genotypes, examined pictures and videos of sickle cell anemia blood cells on the internet, and learned the specific missense genetic mutation that caused a hemoglobin gene to code for valine instead of glutamine. Soon after this happened, however, I moved schools and became close to a friend who had sickle cell anemia. We both had the dream of being doctors and thus spent hours excitedly chattering about all things biology and the human body. I understood the theory of her struggles and did my best to support her when she had to miss school due to pain crises. However, we rarely discussed how it affected her day-to-day and I realize that I could not have come close to understanding what it was really like managing her condition. As I was about to graduate high school, My friend was in her first year of college on the pre-med track when she had a particularly bad crisis. Incredibly sadly, she went into organ failure and passed away. It was only at this time that all the facts I had learned about sickle cell as a biology-passionate 12 year old became my reality, in particular, how short life expectancy is. It did not feel fair at all that she should have to go so early, not getting to fulfill her dream of being a doctor while I still had the chance to. I vowed to turn our interest in medicine and helping others into reality, as well as going into medical research. During my junior year, I had the opportunity to attend an online course run by the Boston Leadership Institute on biotechnology research, in particular how biotechnology is being used to revolutionize disease treatment. I was fascinated when I attended a lecture during the course on how gene therapy was being used to transform sickle cell treatment. Growing up in The Gambia, and seeing how little research goes into genetic diseases affecting the African population as opposed to tropical diseases for example, I plan to focus my research on sickle cell anemia and other genetic diseases that are under-researched in my community. My degree and this scholarship will not only give me the skills and support I need to pursue this dream, but further aid me in sharing knowledge with others. As someone who excitedly absorbs the concepts I learn like a sponge, I’m eager to share them. I aim to be a part of the solution to increasing the percentage of people in West Africa who have more than lower secondary education from a mere 23% (Statista, 2023). There are significantly fewer opportunities on my continent (Africa) and I’d love to be a part of bridging this gap and expanding the opportunities available to these students.

At 12 years old, my parents sat me down and explained that I was a carrier of the gene for sickle cell anemia, and gave me a simple description of how it might hurt any future children if I had a partner with the trait as well. Being fascinated by all things medical, all this did was spark my interest in sickle cell and other genetic conditions. I wanted to know all I could about sickle cell, so I learned to experiment with punnett squares for different hemoglobin genotypes, examined pictures and videos of sickle cell anemia blood cells on the internet, and learned the specific missense genetic mutation which caused a hemoglobin gene to code for valine instead of glutamine. Soon after this happened however, I moved school and became close to a friend that had sickle cell anemia. We both had the dream of being doctors, and thus spent hours excitedly chattering about all things biology and the human body. I understood the theory of her struggles, and did my best to support her when she had to miss school due to pain crises. However, we rarely discussed how it affected her day to day and I realize that I could not have come close to understanding what it was really like managing her condition. As I was about to graduate high school, My friend was in her first year of college on the pre-med track when she had a particularly bad crisis. Incredibly sadly, she went into organ failure and passed away. It was only at this time that all the facts I had learned about sickle cell as a biology-passionate 12 year old became my reality, in particular how short life expectancy is. It did not feel fair at all that she should have to go so early, not getting to fulfill her dream of being a doctor while I still had the chance to. I vowed to turn our interest in medicine and helping others into reality, as well as going into medical research. During my junior year, I had the opportunity to attend an online course run by the Boston Leadership Institute on biotechnology research, in particular how biotechnology is being used to revolutionize disease treatment. I was fascinated when I attended a lecture during the course on how gene therapy was being used to transform sickle cell treatment. Growing up in The Gambia, and seeing how little research goes into genetic diseases affecting the African population as opposed to tropical diseases for example, I plan to focus my research on sickle cell anemia and other genetic diseases that are under-researched in my community. My degree and this scholarship will not only give me the skills and support I need to pursue this dream, but further aid me in sharing knowledge with others. As someone who excitedly absorbs the concepts I learn like a sponge, I’m eager to share them. I aim to be a part of the solution to increasing the percentage of people in West Africa who have more than lower secondary education from a mere 23% (Statista, 2023). There are significantly fewer opportunities on my continent (Africa) and I’d love to be a part of bridging this gap and expanding the opportunities available to these students.

At 12 years old, my parents sat me down and explained that I was a carrier of the gene for sickle cell anemia, and gave me a simple description of how it might hurt any future children if I had a partner with the trait as well. Being fascinated by all things medical, all this did was spark my interest in sickle cell and other genetic conditions. I wanted to know all I could about sickle cell, so I learned to experiment with punnett squares for different hemoglobin genotypes, examined pictures and videos of sickle cell anemia blood cells on the internet, and learned the specific missense genetic mutation which caused a hemoglobin gene to code for valine instead of glutamine. Soon after this happened however, I moved school and became close to a friend that had sickle cell anemia. We both had the dream of being doctors, and thus spent hours excitedly chattering about all things biology and the human body. I understood the theory of her struggles, and did my best to support her when she had to miss school due to pain crises. However, we rarely discussed how it affected her day to day and I realize that I could not have come close to understanding what it was really like managing her condition. As I was about to graduate high school, My friend was in her first year of college on the pre-med track when she had a particularly bad crisis. Incredibly sadly, she went into organ failure and passed away. It was only at this time that all the facts I had learned about sickle cell as a biology-passionate 12 year old became my reality, in particular how short life expectancy is. It did not feel fair at all that she should have to go so early, not getting to fulfill her dream of being a doctor while I still had the chance to. I vowed to turn our interest in medicine and helping others into reality, as well as going into medical research. During my junior year, I had the opportunity to attend an online course run by the Boston Leadership Institute on biotechnology research, in particular how biotechnology is being used to revolutionize disease treatment. I was fascinated when I attended a lecture during the course on how gene therapy was being used to transform sickle cell treatment. Growing up in The Gambia, and seeing how little research goes into genetic diseases affecting the African population as opposed to tropical diseases for example, I plan to focus my research on sickle cell anemia and other genetic diseases that are under-researched in my community. My degree and this scholarship will not only give me the skills and support I need to pursue this dream, but further aid me in sharing knowledge with others. As someone who excitedly absorbs the concepts I learn like a sponge, I’m eager to share them. I aim to be a part of the solution to increasing the percentage of people in West Africa who have more than lower secondary education from a mere 23% (Statista, 2023). There are significantly fewer opportunities on my continent (Africa) and I’d love to be a part of bridging this gap and expanding the opportunities available to these students.

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. Last year I had the opportunity to intern at a research campus in The Gambia and study Immunology. I found a way to impact others: teaching the skill of academic writing, required for the internship, but which other interns had not been as exposed to. Thus, I found I had a skill that I could share with my community of interns. Eventually, a new tradition of gathering each afternoon to teach each other our specific and unique skills emerged, greatly enriching our time as interns. In the end, not only had I learned far more than I expected to, but I had forged meaningful connections and made an impact. Being drawn to STEM, I’ve been surprised to see how many people are disinterested in math and science or consider themselves “bad” at math. After being asked by my teacher to teach some of my classmates biology a few times, I discovered that I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I could develop this skill. Eventually, I was recommended by one of the special education teachers to tutor one of her students and discovered that I was good at providing visual models and other resources for students with ADHD. I went on to tutor both neurotypical and neurodivergent middle and high school students, in English and French. These new study/teaching methods aided in making a difference for my students. My Human Biology and Maths degree will not only give me the skills I need to pursue the STEM-based career I desire, but further aid me in sharing knowledge with others. As someone who excitedly absorbs the concepts I learn like a sponge, I’m eager to share them. I aim to be a part of the solution to increasing the percentage of people in West Africa who have more than lower secondary education from a mere 23% (Statista, 2023). There are significantly fewer opportunities on my continent (Africa) and I’d love to be a part of bridging this gap and expanding the opportunities available to these students. During the next few years, I aim to spend summers volunteering to teach at schools or camps and starting an online STEM club. Eventually, my long-term goal is to research diseases such as sickle cell anemia, a disease very prominent and fatal in my continent, and work towards finding therapies and cures for them. I also want to open a school catered to people with a wide spectrum of learning styles.

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. Last year I had the opportunity to intern at a research campus in The Gambia and study Immunology. I found a way to impact others: teaching the skill of academic writing, required for the internship, but which other interns had not been as exposed to. Thus, I found I had a skill that I could share with my community of interns. Eventually, a new tradition of gathering each afternoon to teach each other our specific and unique skills emerged, greatly enriching our time as interns. In the end, not only had I learned far more than I expected to, but I had forged meaningful connections and made an impact. Being drawn to STEM, I’ve been surprised to see how many people are disinterested in math and science or consider themselves “bad” at math. After being asked by my teacher to teach some of my classmates biology a few times, I discovered that I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I could develop this skill. Eventually, I was recommended by one of the special education teachers to tutor one of her students and discovered that I was good at providing visual models and other resources for students with ADHD. I went on to tutor both neurotypical and neurodivergent middle and high school students, in English and French. These new study/teaching methods aided in making a difference for my students. My degree will not only give me the skills I need to pursue the STEM-based career I desire, but further aid me in sharing knowledge with others. As someone who excitedly absorbs the concepts I learn like a sponge, I’m eager to share them. I aim to be a part of the solution to increasing the percentage of people in West Africa who have more than lower secondary education from a mere 23% (Statista, 2023). There are significantly fewer opportunities on my continent (Africa) and I’d love to be a part of bridging this gap and expanding the opportunities available to these students. During the next few years, I aim to spend summers volunteering to teach at schools or camps and starting an online STEM club. Eventually, my long-term goal is to research diseases such as sickle cell anemia, a disease very prominent and fatal in my continent, and work towards finding therapies and cures for them. I also want to open a school catered to people with a wide spectrum of learning styles.

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. Last year I had the opportunity to intern at a research campus in The Gambia and study Immunology. I found a way to impact others: teaching the skill of academic writing, required for the internship, but which other interns had not been as exposed to. Thus, I found I had a skill that I could share with my community of interns. Eventually, a new tradition of gathering each afternoon to teach each other our specific and unique skills emerged, greatly enriching our time as interns. In the end, not only had I learned far more than I expected to, but I had forged meaningful connections and made an impact. Being drawn to STEM, I’ve been surprised to see how many people are disinterested in math and science or consider themselves “bad” at math. After being asked by my teacher to teach some of my classmates biology a few times, I discovered that I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I could develop this skill. Eventually, I was recommended by one of the special education teachers to tutor one of her students and discovered that I was good at providing visual models and other resources for students with ADHD. I went on to tutor both neurotypical and neurodivergent middle and high school students, in English and French. These new study/teaching methods aided in making a difference for my students. My STEM degree will not only give me the skills I need to pursue the STEM-based career I desire, but further aid me in sharing knowledge with others. As someone who excitedly absorbs the concepts I learn like a sponge, I’m eager to share them. I aim to be a part of the solution to increasing the percentage of people in West Africa who have more than lower secondary education from a mere 23% (Statista, 2023). There are significantly fewer opportunities on my continent (Africa) and I’d love to be a part of bridging this gap and expanding the opportunities available to these students. During the next few years, I aim to spend summers volunteering to teach at schools or camps and starting an online STEM club. Eventually, my long-term goal is to research diseases such as sickle cell anemia, a disease very prominent and fatal in my continent, and work towards finding therapies and cures for them. I also want to open a school catered to people with a wide spectrum of learning styles.

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. Last year I had the opportunity to intern at a research campus in The Gambia and study Immunology. I found a way to impact others: teaching the skill of academic writing, required for the internship, but which other interns had not been as exposed to. Thus, I found I had a skill that I could share with my community of interns. Eventually, a new tradition of gathering each afternoon to teach each other our specific and unique skills emerged, greatly enriching our time as interns. In the end, not only had I learned far more than I expected to, but I had forged meaningful connections and made an impact. Being drawn to STEM, I’ve been surprised to see how many people are disinterested in math and science or consider themselves “bad” at math. After being asked by my teacher to teach some of my classmates biology a few times, I discovered that I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I could develop this skill. Eventually, I was recommended by one of the special education teachers to tutor one of her students and discovered that I was good at providing visual models and other resources for students with ADHD. I went on to tutor both neurotypical and neurodivergent middle and high school students, in English and French. These new study/teaching methods aided in making a difference for my students. My STEM degree will not only give me the skills I need to pursue the STEM-based career I desire, but further aid me in sharing knowledge with others. As someone who excitedly absorbs the concepts I learn like a sponge, I’m eager to share them. I aim to be a part of the solution to increasing the percentage of people in West Africa who have more than lower secondary education from a mere 23% (Statista, 2023). There are significantly fewer opportunities on my continent (Africa) and I’d love to be a part of bridging this gap and expanding the opportunities available to these students. During the next few years, I aim to spend summers volunteering to teach at schools or camps and starting an online STEM club. Eventually, my long-term goal is to research diseases such as sickle cell anemia, a disease very prominent and fatal in my continent, and work towards finding therapies and cures for them. I also want to open a school catered to people with a wide spectrum of learning styles.

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. Last year I had the opportunity to intern at a research campus in The Gambia and study Immunology. I found a way to impact others: teaching the skill of academic writing, required for the internship, but which other interns had not been as exposed to. Thus, I found I had a skill that I could share with my community of interns. Eventually, a new tradition of gathering each afternoon to teach each other our specific and unique skills emerged, greatly enriching our time as interns. In the end, not only had I learned far more than I expected to, but I had forged meaningful connections and made an impact. Being drawn to STEM, I’ve been surprised to see how many people are disinterested in math and science or consider themselves “bad” at math. After being asked by my teacher to teach some of my classmates biology a few times, I discovered that I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I could develop this skill. Eventually, I was recommended by one of the special education teachers to tutor one of her students and discovered that I was good at providing visual models and other resources for students with ADHD. I went on to tutor both neurotypical and neurodivergent middle and high school students, in English and French. These new study/teaching methods aided in making a difference for my students. My STEM degree will not only give me the skills I need to pursue the STEM-based career I desire, but further aid me in sharing knowledge with others. As someone who excitedly absorbs the concepts I learn like a sponge, I’m eager to share them. I aim to be a part of the solution to increasing the percentage of people in West Africa who have more than lower secondary education from a mere 23% (Statista, 2023). There are significantly fewer opportunities on my continent (Africa) and I’d love to be a part of bridging this gap and expanding the opportunities available to these students. During the next few years, I aim to spend summers volunteering to teach at schools or camps and starting an online STEM club. Eventually, my long-term goal is to research diseases such as sickle cell anemia, a disease very prominent and fatal in my continent, and work towards finding therapies and cures for them. I also want to open a school catered to people with a wide spectrum of learning styles.

“Life’s experiences can shine a light on unexplored areas, unleashing hidden capabilities and bringing impact”. This thought has resonated with me since I had the opportunity to attend an online biotechnology course organized by the Boston Leadership Institute. I found myself immersed in a “melting pot” of diverse skills and knowledge. Particularly impactful was being able to participate in a challenging research project with a small group. Through this experience, I learned to adapt to a new way of thinking and gained qualities that I will carry into my next phase. While preparing for this project I needed to take on a difficult leadership role, as my group was not communicating well. Somewhat adverse to leadership, I found this terrifying but enjoyed the process, provided structure for the team, and unlocked masked skills including communication and my ability to take charge. I further applied these skills when I had the opportunity to intern at a research campus in The Gambia and study Immunology. I found a way to impact others: teaching the skill of academic writing, required for the internship, but which other interns had not been as exposed to. Thus, I found I had a skill that I could share with my community of interns. Eventually, a new tradition of gathering each afternoon to teach each other our specific and unique skills emerged, greatly enriching our time as interns. In the end, not only had I learned far more than I expected to, I had forged meaningful connections and made an impact. Being drawn to STEM, I’ve been surprised to see how many people are disinterested in math and science or consider themselves “bad” at math. After being asked by my teacher to teach some of my classmates biology a few times, I discovered that I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I could develop this skill. Eventually, I was recommended by one of the special education teachers to tutor one of her students and discovered that I was good at providing visual models and other resources for students with ADHD. I went on to tutor both neurotypical and neurodivergent middle and high school students, in English and French. These new study/teaching methods aided in making a difference for my students. As someone who excitedly absorbs the concepts I learn like a sponge, I’m eager to share them. I aim to be a part of the solution to increasing the percentage of people in West Africa who have more than lower secondary education from a mere 23% (Statista, 2023). There are significantly fewer opportunities on my continent (Africa) and I’d love to be a part of bridging this gap and expanding the opportunities available to these students. During the next few years, I aim to spend summers volunteering to teach at schools or camps. During the school year, I will continue to find ways to serve others through volunteering in special needs classrooms.

“Life’s experience can shine a light on unexplored areas, unleashing hidden capabilities and bringing impact”. This thought has resonated with me since I had the opportunity to attend an online biotechnology course organized by the Boston Leadership Institute. I found myself immersed in a “melting pot” of diverse skills and knowledge. Particularly impactful was being able to participate in a challenging research project with a small group. Through this experience, I learned to adapt to a new way of thinking and gained qualities that I will carry into my next phase. While preparing for this project I needed to take on a difficult leadership role, as my group was not communicating well. Somewhat adverse to leadership, I found this terrifying but enjoyed the process, provided structure for the team, and unlocked masked skills including communication and my ability to take charge. I further applied these skills when I had the opportunity to intern at a research campus in The Gambia and study Immunology. I found a way to impact others: teaching the skill of academic writing, required for the internship, but which other interns had not been as exposed to. Thus, I found I had a skill that I could share with my community of interns. Eventually, a new tradition of gathering each afternoon to teach each other our specific and unique skills emerged, greatly enriching our time as interns. In the end, not only had I learned far more than I expected to, I had forged meaningful connections and made an impact. Being drawn to STEM, I’ve been surprised to see how many people are disinterested in math and science or consider themselves “bad” at math. After being asked by my teacher to teach some of my classmates biology a few times, I discovered that I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I could develop this skill. Eventually, I was recommended by one of the special education teachers to tutor one of her students and discovered that I was good at providing visual models and other resources for students with ADHD. I went on to tutor both neurotypical and neurodivergent middle and high school students, in English and French. These new study/teaching methods aided in making a difference for my students. My education will not only give me the skills I need to pursue the STEM-based career I desire, but further aid me in sharing knowledge with others. As someone who excitedly absorbs the concepts I learn like a sponge, I’m eager to share them. I aim to be a part of the solution to increasing the percentage of people in West Africa who have more than lower secondary education from a mere 23% (Statista, 2023). There are significantly fewer opportunities on my continent (Africa) and I’d love to be a part of bridging this gap and expanding the opportunities available to these students. During the next few years, I see myself spending summers volunteering to teach at schools or camps, and starting an online STEM club.

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. Growing up in The Gambia, the common presupposition is that if you're good at science, you should become a doctor, and I had somewhat accepted medicine as my career path, because I was not aware that there were so many options. After moving to France 2 1⁄2 years ago and becoming exposed to different courses that involve biology, I became awed and inspired to further pursue STEM. In 2021, I attended a course run by the Boston Leadership Institute on biotech research, in particular how biotechnology is being used to revolutionize disease treatment. Genetic diseases have always been on my radar and interested me. Being a carrier of the sickle cell anemia gene and having friends with sickle cell anemia, I was fascinated when I saw a video during the course on how gene therapy was being used to transform sickle cell treatment. I thoroughly enjoyed the lectures and hands-on labs, but particularly enjoyed being able to lead a group project where a group of five individuals researched and took on the role of a pharmaceutical company. My passion would only continue to grow after that experience, especially when given the opportunity to intern at a research campus in The Gambia and study Immunology earlier this year. I learned so many valuable laboratory skills and attended insightful lectures. However, the most rewarding aspect was finding a way to impact others: teaching the skill of academic writing, which was required for the internship, but the majority of the other interns had not been as exposed to. In the end, not only had I learned far more than I expected to, I had forged meaningful connections and made an impact. My education will give me the skills I need to pursue the STEM-based career I desire, and also aid me in sharing my knowledge. Always excitedly absorbing concepts like a sponge, I’m eager to share them and be a part of the solution to increasing the percentage of people in West Africa who have more than lower secondary education from a mere 23%. There are fewer opportunities on the continent and I’d love to be a part of bridging this gap and expanding the opportunities available. Over the next few years, I plan to spend time volunteering to teach at schools/camps and start an online STEM club.

Confident, collected, empathetic, and influential; my future self appears like an image before my shut eyes.