My fascination with Biology began to develop at a young age. Having a large number of family members in the field of medicine meant I was constantly surrounded and inspired by doctors, research, encyclopedias, and fancy equipment. In school I was captivated by biology and the concept of exploring the natural world. By high school I felt certain that I wanted to focus my academics on biology and so I took advanced level physics, science, chemistry, and biology. I also joined the sciences club so to prepare me for competitions that required reading beyond the curriculum’s requirements. I managed to win the 2nd and 3rd place in Panhellenic competitions in Physics and Math and the 14th place in National Chemistry tournament. Yet, my in-school involvement did not satiate my thirst for learning, so I decided to spend hours in our library, researching various topics. I also interned as a research assistant at the factory labs of Thrace Plastics Pack SA, where I learned more on waste-management and how human biology is influenced by chemicals. My experience solidified my interest in acquiring hands-on skills and doing lab work in the field of bioengineering. Passionate as I was to enhance my real-life education, I also took part in a recycling volunteer initiative. Thus, I became more familiar with waste composting, while I also interacted with many environmentalists, which strengthened my strengthened my desire to study bio-engineering. At the end of my undergraduate studies at the VIPER program of UPenn, I will be equipped with the tools necessary for innovative research and industry work. UPenn’s interdisciplinary curriculum, with classes such as Cell Engineering, Biomaterials, and Biomechanics, is in sync with my desire to learn and create. Through combining engineering with the Senior Design I and II courses, I will be able to cultivate both quantitative reasoning and problem-solving skills. As a rising sophomore in the VIPER program, my double major in bioengineering and in biology will offer me much more specialized knowledge that will enable me to enhance my intellectual abilities. By this combination, I will be much better equipped to follow my long-term goal; to contribute in society’s development by doing research and reduce human’s suffering that is caused by diseases. The recent COVID-19 pandemic is one of the many examples demonstrating the immense human suffering by diseases and it has amplified my interest and my passion to learn as much as possible as an undergraduate but also during my whole life, and later implement this knowledge in my career as a researcher. By combining knowledge from the engineering and the science perspective, I will be much better prepared and much more capable to face any challenge. Furthermore, I will have the chance to meet and interact with professors and students from different fields, learn from them, and enhance my experience.Even though during my freshman year the pandemic conditions obliged me to study remotely, I did my best to participate in many different clubs, find a mentor and start working as a research assistant in CHOP, continue volunteering and have an excellent GPA of 4.0/4.0. By pushing myself to improve, I will eventually realize my dream; expand my knowledge and experience, sharpen my mind and become the woman researcher in STEM that I always imagined myself to be. Another unique opportunity for me is to continue my community service through Learning Sustainability and Conserving Energy. As a volunteer for the Recycling Park NGO I have seen how beneficial environmental actions are for a community’s sustainable development. I also look forward to study abroad in Guatemela, while enhancing my outreach experiences with EWB.