My name is Jada Hickerson. I am a rising college sophomore at Florida Institute of Technology. I am pursuing a Chemistry B.S. with a minor in Oceanography, holding a GPA of 4.0. After completing my undergraduate degree, I intend to complete a concurrent Ph.D in Chemistry and Master’s in Environmental Engineering or Oceanography. My Ph.D would focus on analytical and organic chemistry, with some pharmaceutical chemistry classes. The Master’s degree would (preferably) be coursework-based and involve courses from the Environmental Engineering and Oceanography departments. I am considering the University of Washington–Seattle, the University of California–San Diego, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology for this dual program. This scholarship would cover the costs of my chemistry textbooks, lab safety gear, and lab manuals, which are essential for my degree. Labs are important not only for graduation requirements but also for my academic and professional development. The skills I acquire in these labs are invaluable. This scholarship would alleviate the financial stress resulting from out-of-pocket fees associated with my courses. As I continue my degree, I will be taking more advanced chemistry courses and participating in more complex labs, making this support even more vital. One scholarship can be game-changing for me and impact my entire semester. I plan to become an environmental chemist, focusing on environmental remediation methods and green synthesis methods for various chemicals, such as pesticides, plastics, and pharmaceuticals. My ultimate career goal is employment at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in a senior chemist position. My goal is an internship at the EPA Region 10 Manchester Environmental Laboratory in Washington. The Manchester Environmental Laboratory is close to the University of Washington--Seattle, my first pick university for my Ph.D.. When I return to Texas for a permanent career, I will seek a chemist position at the EPA Region 6 Environmental Services Branch Laboratory. My education would be extremely well-suited to my career goals-- advanced analytical techniques acquired during a Ph.D. Chemistry program, such as spectroscopy, chromatography, and mass spectrometry, will be essential to precisely measuring pollutants in the environment. I will gain experience in designing and conducting experiments, analyzing data, and interpreting results. Graduate studies in environmental engineering and oceanography will broaden my understanding of environmental science and enhance my ability to design practical solutions for real-world problems, particularly in marine environments. Combining expertise in chemistry, environmental engineering, and oceanography will enable me to uniquely and comprehensively approach environmental problems. When I consider the accomplishments I want to make, I have two central goals: scientific achievement and community service. As an environmental chemist, I aim to contribute to environmental remediation by focusing on mitigating waste production. My work will involve improving waste management processes, refining industrial synthesis methods, and advancing production practices across various sectors, including agriculture, construction, and manufacturing. By designing and implementing strategies for waste reduction, I hope to contribute to the worldwide goal of significantly reducing environmental pollution. Community service is a more personal element of my professional aspirations. I will work to foster engagement and support for students passionate about environmental science. My goal is to facilitate internships and volunteer opportunities by connecting students with local programs, companies, and institutions. Workshops, Q&A sessions, and campus visits will engage students and emphasize the importance of environmental science. By providing mentorship and hands-on experiences, I aim to inspire the next generation of environmental scientists, ensuring they have the connections and knowledge to pursue their careers. Through scientific achievement and community service, I aspire to make a lasting impact in my professional field and within my community.

To secure a better future for myself, I will commit to focus, excellence, and passion. Focus is critical for achieving my current and future goals. Excellence ensures I accomplish these goals efficiently while creating the best outcomes for myself. Passion will fuel my focus and excellence, keeping me fulfilled throughout my academic, professional, and personal journeys, for which I have several goals. My academic goals revolve around my performance and the quality of my education. When considering transferring for financial reasons, I prioritized the chemistry class schedules and electives. Many less expensive colleges offered only evening classes and lacked a diverse pool of electives, failing to meet my goal of a rigorous, specialized, and practical curriculum. Another goal is to maintain an excellent GPA. Although a GPA is only one part of an application to graduate school, having an excellent GPA is a great way to show dedication and interest in my studies. A scholarship will benefit these goals by providing the financial support to remain at a university with an outstanding chemistry department I trust and respect. My employment goals include the industries I want to join and the contributions I want to make to my career field. I plan to become an environmental chemist, focusing on environmental remediation methods and green synthesis techniques for chemicals like pesticides, plastics, and pharmaceuticals. My ultimate goal is to become a senior environmental chemist at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), contributing to environmental remediation by mitigating waste production. My work will improve waste management, industrial synthesis methods, and production practices across sectors such as agriculture, construction, and manufacturing. By designing and implementing strategies for waste reduction, I will contribute to the national goal of significantly reducing environmental pollution. A scholarship will provide financial freedom by reducing my student loan debt. Less debt will allow me more freedom in selecting employment opportunities, while more debt might force me to prioritize a high salary, potentially affecting the nature of my work. Additionally, smaller minimum monthly student loan payments will result in more of my payments going toward the principal of the loan rather than interest, shortening the repayment period. My personal development goals concern how I will better myself professionally and internally outside of class. Professional development will include working in laboratories on campus, forming a rapport with my professors and peers, and attending seminars hosted by the chemistry department. My general goal is to improve my scientific capabilities and relationships through continuing my academic extracurricular activities. As for my internal development, my general goal is to partake in hobbies to remain personally fulfilled. I will read more news, scientific papers, and fiction. Additionally, I plan to have more time for my student clubs, such as Anime Club and Swing Dance Club. A scholarship will grant me the freedom to pursue lab involvement on campus and to participate in my interests, as opposed to spending more time working in jobs unrelated to my professional interests. By committing to focus, excellence, and passion, I will secure a better future for myself, supported by the financial freedom a scholarship provides.

My name is Jada Hickerson. I am a rising college sophomore at Florida Institute of Technology. I am pursuing a Chemistry B.S. with a minor in Oceanography, holding a GPA of 4.0. My fascination with science, specifically environmental science, began in the fifth grade. My teacher introduced me to the concepts of renewable energy, climate change, and deforestation. From that moment, I knew I wanted to dedicate my life to this field. Soon after discovering my interest, I took a career test that suggested I become an environmental engineer. The test results stated that to accomplish this, I would need at least a bachelor's degree, henceforth creating my determination to attend college. What draws me to environmental science is problem-solving, impact, and complexity. Unlike other scientific fields, environmental science is essential for our survival. Progress in this area is crucial for maintaining functional ecosystems and communities, especially as technological and infrastructural developments continue. The quality of our drinking water, soil, and air is vital for every living being. Additionally, environmental science is a practical field rather than a theoretical one. The challenges various ecosystems face in real-time are too urgent to spend resources on theoretical discussions. Most advancements are made with current or imminent problems in mind. Moreover, environmental science is interdisciplinary. Successful environmental scientists must understand how biology, geology, chemistry, ecology, oceanography, government, and many other subjects intersect to address issues like pollution, climate change, habitat destruction, and more. This interdisciplinary nature makes the field challenging and incredibly rewarding. Out of all of the angles to approach environmental science, chemistry is my absolute favorite. I discovered this when I took chemistry in the ninth grade. Chemistry is incredibly complex. The many moving parts of chemistry are difficult to grasp, but they are all equally important when attempting to solve any problem that involves a change in matter. A significant part of environmental science is the fate and transport of pollutants, which chemistry is uniquely equipped to assess. The mechanisms that facilitate these changes often occur down to the molecular level, ensuring that even the smallest amount of pollutant can make a difference. Understanding chemistry gives you the ability to understand microscopic changes, while other subjects such as ecology, geology, and oceanography can give an understanding of macroscopic processes. Combined, these subjects can provide a holistic perspective of environmental issues and lay a better foundation for a well-informed solution. I intend to complete a concurrent Ph.D in Chemistry and Master’s in Environmental Engineering or Oceanography. I plan to become an environmental chemist, focusing on environmental remediation methods and green synthesis techniques for various chemicals, such as pesticides, plastics, and pharmaceuticals. My ultimate career goal is employment at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a senior chemist. My goal is to intern at the EPA Manchester Environmental Laboratory in Washington. The Manchester Environmental Laboratory is close to the University of Washington--Seattle, my first pick university for my Ph.D.. When I move back to Texas for a permanent career, I will seek a chemist position at the Environmental Services Branch Laboratory. This scholarship would cover the costs of my chemistry textbooks, lab safety gear, and lab manuals, which are essential for my degree. Labs are important not only for graduation requirements but also for my academic and professional development. The skills I acquire in these labs are invaluable. This scholarship would alleviate the financial stress resulting from out-of-pocket fees associated with my courses. As I continue my degree, I will be taking more advanced chemistry courses and participating in more complex labs, making this support even more vital.

My definition of college can be summed with one word: transformation. Transformation for myself, my community, and my country. A college education is a unique experience that can only be described as one of the highest privileges a person can receive. A college education can grant you many intangible rewards. It can give you belonging, purpose, hope, and a great depth of knowledge. These merits can result in a livelihood rich in personal connections and fulfillment.  My name is Jada Hickerson. I am a rising college sophomore at Florida Institute of Technology. I am pursuing a Chemistry B.S. with a minor in Oceanography. I have a GPA of 4.0. I intend to complete a concurrent Ph.D in Chemistry and Master’s in Environmental Engineering or Oceanography. My Ph.D would focus on analytical and organic chemistry, with some pharmaceutical chemistry classes. The Master’s degree would (preferably) be coursework-based and involve courses from the Environmental Engineering and Oceanography departments. I am considering the University of Washington–Seattle, the University of California–San Diego, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology for this dual program. I plan to become an environmental chemist, focusing on environmental remediation methods and green synthesis methods for various chemicals, such as pesticides, plastics, and pharmaceuticals. My ultimate career goal is employment at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in a senior chemist position. My goal is an internship at the EPA Region 10 (Pacific Northwest) regional laboratory, the Manchester Environmental Laboratory in Washington. The Manchester Environmental Laboratory is close to the University of Washington--Seattle, my first pick university for my Ph.D.. When I move back to Texas for a permanent career, I will seek a chemist position at the EPA Region 6 (South Central) regional laboratory, the Environmental Services Branch Laboratory.  My education would be extremely well-suited to my career goals. The advanced analytical techniques acquired during a Ph.D. Chemistry program, such as spectroscopy, chromatography, and mass spectrometry, will be essential to precisely measuring pollutants in the environment. I will gain experience in designing and conducting experiments, analyzing data, and interpreting results. Graduate studies in environmental engineering and oceanography will broaden my understanding of environmental science and enhance my ability to design practical solutions for real-world problems, particularly in marine environments. Combining expertise in chemistry, environmental engineering, and oceanography will enable me to uniquely and comprehensively approach environmental problems, an ability necessary to become a successful environmental chemist. When I consider the accomplishments I want to make, I have two central goals: scientific achievement and community service. As an environmental chemist, I aim to contribute to environmental remediation by focusing on mitigating waste production. My work will involve improving waste management processes, refining industrial synthesis methods, and advancing production practices across various sectors, including agriculture, construction, and manufacturing. By designing and implementing strategies for waste reduction, I hope to contribute to the national goal of significantly reducing environmental pollution. Community service is a more personal element of my professional aspirations. I will work to foster engagement and support for students passionate about environmental science. My goal is to facilitate internships and volunteer opportunities by connecting students with local programs, companies, and institutions. I plan to organize workshops, Q&A sessions, and campus visits to personally engage with students and emphasize the importance of environmental science. By providing mentorship and hands-on experiences, I aim to inspire the next generation of environmental scientists, ensuring they have the connections and knowledge to pursue careers that contribute to environmental science. Through scientific achievement and community service, I aspire to make a lasting impact in my professional field and within my community.

My name is Jada Hickerson. I am a rising college sophomore at Florida Institute of Technology. I am pursuing a Chemistry B.S. with a minor in Oceanography. I have a GPA of 4.0. I intend to complete a concurrent Ph.D in Chemistry and Master’s in Environmental Engineering or Oceanography. My Ph.D would focus on analytical and organic chemistry, with some introductory pharmaceutical chemistry classes. The Master’s degree would (preferably) be coursework-based and involve courses from the Environmental Engineering and Oceanography departments. Of course, I would have to attend a school that supports this coursework combination. My top choice is the University of Washington--Seattle. My second choice is the University of California--San Diego. My third choice is Massachusetts Institute of Technology. I plan to become an environmental chemist. In general, my career aspirations entail researching and implementing environmental remediation methods and studying, testing, and developing green synthesis methods for various chemicals, such as pesticides, plastics, and pharmaceuticals. I plan to focus on organic analytical chemistry, working to characterize and understand various organic pollutants’ fate and transport in the environment. My ultimate career goal is to be employed at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in a senior chemist position. I would love to do an internship at the EPA Region 10 (Pacific Northwest) regional laboratory, the Manchester Environmental Laboratory in Washington. The Manchester Environmental Laboratory is close to the University of Washington--Seattle, my first pick university for my Ph.D.. Since I will move back to Texas for a permanent career, I will seek a chemist position at the EPA Region 6 (South Central) regional laboratory, the Environmental Services Branch Laboratory. My education would be extremely well-suited to my career goals. My undergraduate and graduate studies will grant me numerous relevant skills and experience. The advanced analytical techniques acquired during a Ph.D. Chemistry program, such as spectroscopy, chromatography, and mass spectrometry, are essential for environmental chemistry. These techniques enable precise measurement of pollutants within air, water, and soil. I will gain proficiency in these techniques, allowing me to accurately evaluate environmental quality, identify sources of contamination, and assess the effectiveness of remediation methods. Generally, I will gain experience in designing and conducting experiments, analyzing data, and interpreting results. Additionally, understanding how various contaminants interact with the environment is accomplished through the lens of chemistry by understanding mechanisms that facilitate pollutants’ effects on ecosystems. Such mechanisms include pH, solubility, oxidation-reduction, inorganic-organic complexation, and adsorption-desorption reactions. Studying environmental engineering and oceanography at the graduate level will provide a broadened understanding of environmental science applications, solutions, and technologies, which are fundamentally interdisciplinary subjects. Engineering coursework offers a practical perspective on how to apply chemical knowledge to real-world environmental issues. I will gain knowledge and project experience in system design, pollution control, and environmental impact assessment. Specifically, I will focus on technologies in wastewater treatment, air quality management, and waste management. Oceanography coursework will add another dimension to my expertise, incorporating a thorough understanding of the various components of ocean systems, including the physical, chemical, biological, and geological aspects. An oceanography background will supplement a comprehensive chemistry foundation, allowing me to better examine marine chemical processes, analyze marine contaminants, and develop restoration strategies for marine environments. The advanced chemical knowledge and research skills I will gain through a Ph.D. will be complemented by the practical, systems-oriented perspective of environmental engineering at the graduate level. An on-par oceanography knowledge base will further grant me a more specialized skill set specific to marine environments. Combining expertise in chemistry, environmental engineering, and oceanography will enable me to uniquely and comprehensively approach environmental problems, an ability necessary to become a successful environmental chemist. When I consider the impact I want to make on my community, I have two central goals: scientific achievement and community service. As an environmental chemist, I aim to contribute to environmental remediation by focusing on mitigating waste production. My work will involve improving waste management processes, refining industrial synthesis methods, and advancing production practices across various sectors, including agriculture, construction, and manufacturing. By designing and implementing strategies for waste reduction, I hope to contribute to the national goal of significantly reducing environmental pollution. Community service is a more personal aspect of my professional aspirations. I will work to foster engagement and support for students passionate about environmental science. My goal is to facilitate internships and volunteer opportunities by connecting students with local programs, companies, and institutions. I plan to organize workshops, Q&A sessions, and campus visits to personally engage with students and emphasize the importance of environmental science. By providing mentorship and hands-on experiences, I aim to inspire the next generation of environmental scientists, ensuring they have the connections and knowledge to pursue careers that contribute to environmental science. Through scientific achievement and community service, I aspire to make a lasting impact in my professional field and within my community.

I went on a vacation in Honolulu, Hawaii in late 2022. On this vacation, I went snorkeling. That experience was the highlight of my year, if not life. There is something beautiful and mystifying about swimming in the blue open water, with the ocean floor barely visible beneath you. It felt like I was floating, not swimming. When I jumped into the water, I was met with the sight of a swarm of fish circling me. The view was enchanting: heart-stopping and breathtaking in a way that not even Shakespeare could articulate. That moment was not when I decided I was dedicated to ocean conservation. I decided I cared about the oceans when I decided I cared about climate change, which was when I was in 5th grade. At the time, I was convinced I was going to be an environmental engineer, helping to solve the climate crisis one engineering task at a time. Now, as a senior in high school, I am not so gung-ho about focusing on the climate crisis, nor do I plan on being an engineer of any title, but I am still devoted to ocean health. Most of my devotion is not derived from a humanitarian spirit. The truth is that I simply find ocean science fascinating. Several of my different interests intersect in the subject, creating an enticing opportunity. My Hawaii experience was helpful too. It taught me I would love to spend my life in the ocean's beautiful blue waters. It would be a personal disservice to not dedicate my life to such an intense passion. I believe this makes me an ideal candidate for this scholarship. I became more ocean-focused as I learned more about how oceans are impacted by climate change. Marine heatwaves causing coral reef bleaching and extinction became a key point of interest to me. The topic of coral bleaching then led me to another one of its causes, ocean acidification. Ocean acidification was like climate change in that they both result from carbon-dioxide pollution in the atmosphere. With more research, I grew more interested in the ocean's pollution and climate than the atmosphere's pollution and climate. Additionally, since learning about particle physics, nanochemistry, and chemical physics, I have been anxious to enter those fields of research with the goal of application to ocean science. My 11th-grade AP Environmental Science class changed a lot for me too. My interest in pollution grew exponentially. I learned that I loved to discuss carbon tetrachloride, septic zones, and landfill-born leachate. All of these different discoveries founded my current education and career aspirations. Now, my dream career is a Ph.D. research scientist. I plan to specialize in chemical oceanography and environmental restoration from toxic pollutants, such as persistent organic pollutants, hazardous waste, and microplastics. All of my intended majors are oceanography or chemistry. I plan to obtain a Ph.D. in chemical oceanography. I am an ideal candidate for this scholarship because I am intensely, profoundly, and endlessly devoted to ocean science. I want nothing more than to study and work to ultimately improve the health of oceanic ecosystems. This scholarship could help me cut down on the cost of student loans. Furthermore, the more money I receive in scholarships, the more time I can spend researching. Hours possibly dedicated to work-study can be applied to undergraduate research. When it is time for me to enter a career, I can potentially settle for a smaller paycheck because I won't have to worry as much about avoiding interest accumulation. Overall, this scholarship could make a world of a difference in my education and career experience.

I went on a vacation in Honolulu, Hawaii in late 2022. On this vacation, I went snorkeling. That experience was the highlight of my year, if not life. There is something beautiful and mystifying about swimming in the blue open water, with the ocean floor barely visible beneath you. It felt like I was floating, not swimming. When I jumped into the water, I was met with the sight of a swarm of fish circling me. The view was enchanting: heart-stopping and breathtaking in a way that not even Shakespeare could articulate. That moment was not when I decided I was dedicated to ocean conservation. I decided I cared about the oceans when I decided I cared about climate change, which was when I was in 5th grade. At the time, I was convinced I was going to be an environmental engineer, helping to solve the climate crisis one engineering task at a time. Now, as a senior in high school, I am not so gung-ho about focusing on the climate crisis, nor do I plan on being an engineer of any title, but I am still devoted to ocean restoration, conservation, and research. Most of my devotion is not derived from a humanitarian spirit. The truth is that I simply find ocean science fascinating. Several of my different interests intersect in the subject, creating an enticing opportunity. My Hawaii experience was helpful too. It taught me I would love to spend my life in the ocean's beautiful blue waters. It would be a disservice to not dedicate my life to such an intense passion of mine. I became more ocean-focused as I learned more about how oceans are impacted by climate change. Marine heatwaves causing coral reef bleaching and extinction became a key point of interest to me. The topic of coral bleaching then led me to another one of its causes, ocean acidification. Ocean acidification was like climate change in that they both result from carbon-dioxide pollution in the atmosphere. With more research, I grew more interested in the ocean's pollution and climate than the atmosphere's pollution and climate. Additionally, since learning about particle physics, nanochemistry, and chemical physics, I have been anxious to enter those fields of research with the goal of application to ocean science. My 11th-grade AP Environmental Science class changed a lot for me too. My interest in pollution grew exponentially. I learned that I loved to discuss carbon tetrachloride, septic zones, and landfill-born leachate. All of these different discoveries founded my current education and career aspirations. Now, my dream career is a Ph.D. research scientist. I plan to specialize in chemical oceanography environmental restoration from toxic pollutants, such as persistent organic pollutants, hazardous waste, and microplastics. I want a B.S. in oceanography or chemistry and a Ph.D. in chemical oceanography. My future degrees will be used in the most direct way they can. Upon my final graduation, I will enter academia again, but as an employed researcher. I will use all of my knowledge and education to research, study, and experiment. I hope that my publications will be catalysts for change. Facilitating and inspiring direct or indirect action, personal change, political advocacy, legislative change, and education is my ultimate goal. By focusing on chemical oceanography and environmental toxicology, I will discover how people are negatively impacting our oceans, but I will also research how these problems can be mitigated, solved, or prevented. It is a lofty, probably impossible dream, but I would love to make the same impact as Rachel Carson did when she published "Silent Spring" in 1962.

My dream specialization is a combination of chemical oceanography and environmental toxicology. My dream career is a Ph.D. research scientist. My dream study concentrations are computational geophysics, chemistry, and environmental restoration from toxic pollutants, such as persistent organic pollutants and hazardous waste. I recently moved to Arlington, but my heart still belongs to my old city. A suburban neighborhood: it was usually quiet and calm. However, it had its fair share of issues. In my eyes, prominent littering was one of those issues. Now, political advocacy is important, but as someone ineligible to vote, there is little direct action I can take. Not being a part of a voter base means there is little reason to incentivize my political participation. Compared to adult voters, appealing to my demographic is practically worthless. However, I did not need to advocate for anything. Any action, no matter how big or small, has an impact on our lives and the lives around us. Picking up trash prevents microplastics from further instilling themselves into the soil and waterways through runoff. Not using chemical fertilizers prevents excess nitrogen and other nutrients from traveling to bodies of water where they can destabilize habitats through algae blooms and low dissolved oxygen availability. Keeping cats indoors and rescuing feral cats protects native bird species. Though political action is key in environmental issues too, being an agent of change is not dependent on influencing others. This was a partial inspiration to pursue a career in environmental research. It also inspired me to start a clean-up club at Cedar Hill High School, my previous school. The club focused on the school's exterior, particularly the grassy areas: parts that were most vulnerable to littering. The biggest cleaning challenge was the outside cafeteria seating. It had enormous amounts of trash that would migrate to the surrounding natural landscape. It was the standard to see several plastic bottles and wrappers embedded, sometimes buried, in the dirt. Rarely did the club's weekly meetings get all of the trash we saw, but we could get most of it. Sometimes, it was disheartening to see new trash accumulate in place of the removed trash, but we never gave up. To us, it was easy to see the impact we were making. Caring for our school and our community was enough satisfaction. On that strength alone, the club continued to work. As a research scientist, I hope to care for Cedar Hill, Arlington, and communities around the world, regardless of species. I hope to positively impact people, microorganisms, fish, terrestrial animals, and anything else. I will still reduce, reuse, and recycle. I will still compost and avoid chemical fertilizers. But in addition to personal action, I will work to influence others too. I want my studies, experiments, and publications to be catalysts for all types of change. Facilitating and inspiring direct or indirect action, personal change, political advocacy, legislative change, and education is my life's goal. By focusing on chemical oceanography and environmental toxicology, I will discover ways humans are not positive agents of change, but I will also discover how we can become that. To be better for ourselves and others is what I believe humanity should strive for. I can support that belief by becoming a research scientist.