Violin strings, costly but make a difference in performance, but I can't justify it since I'm not a music major.

“That's pretty cool,” my high school junior self thought after being exposed to bioprinting. My teacher mentioned the advancement of South Korea’s technology, as their devices would allow for the 3D printing of human organs. Their combination of prior technologies and research facilitates the creation of realistic organs, which made me question whether we can apply these technologies to clinical settings. Biomedical Engineering is the perfect fit for my fascination with bioprinting, as I wish to engineer solutions in a clinical environment. My interest in tissue engineering within Biomedical Engineering developed during my high school medical class. My teacher told us how patients wait for a compatible donor for years, depending on what organ they need. It was unjust how long these patients had to wait for a donation, and if a solution could be made to shorten these lengths, I wanted to contribute to providing these people an opportunity to live their lives sooner. This small spark would bring me down a rabbit hole in the research of making lab-grown organs to reduce the need for organ transplants. This directly aligns with one of the fields of bioprinting in Biomedical Engineering. This drive continues to grow in college, as I volunteer for the American Society for Molecular Biology and Biochemistry (ASBMB). Volunteering as a photographer for an undergraduate research symposium shows me the expansive progress being made by my peers. Since these discoveries are being made so close to home, I can contribute to the scientists who are looking to advance technology in patient treatment. The progression at UT’s research labs is astounding. For example, the Zoldan lab wants to utilize human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to alleviate the tissue shortage, which makes me know that engineering an organ is possible. Holding the position of Undergraduate Research Assistant for a lab, also exposes me to the overlooked parts in looking to develop technology. Here in the lab, I am tasked to create laboratory media which is used to upkeep specimens that the principal instructor uses, preparing various glassware for sterilization and storage, and other miscellaneous lab tasks. Ultimately these smaller parts in research impact the greater project by providing the much needed materials, ensuring that the product is good in accuracy and quality. Taking rigorous coursework simultaneously with volunteering prepares me for the challenges within the major. My engineering physics course has allowed my confidence to grow, while I experienced numerous failures and disappointments in my performance in the class. This challenge enabled me to persevere despite my lack of physics background and my first exposure to the subject being in college. Now majoring in Biomedical Engineering is the best fit, not only in research, but in the courses I will be studying. Having courses within the program, such as the Design of Artificial Organs and Engineering Biomaterials, continues to foster my knowledge in this field. My devotion to regenerative health will drive me to create tangible solutions for people who are desperate for an organ. I desire to be a part of those who are actively researching tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. By studying Biomedical Engineering, I will learn fundamental skills in tissue engineering. I aim to directly utilize these skills by planning to apply to UT’s integrated master's program in my junior year. Eventually, I will be able to achieve a PhD relating to tissue engineering or regenerative medicine. Just like my first spark inspired me, I, too, wish to engineer functioning cells and inspire prospective students and scientists alike.

“That's pretty cool,” my high school junior self thought after being exposed to bioprinting. My teacher mentioned the advancement of South Korea’s technology, as their devices would allow for the 3D printing of human organs. Their combination of prior technologies and research facilitates the creation of realistic organs, which made me question whether we can apply these technologies to clinical settings. Biomedical Engineering is the perfect fit for my fascination with bioprinting, as I wish to engineer solutions in a clinical environment. My interest in tissue engineering within Biomedical Engineering developed during my high school medical class. My teacher told us how patients wait for a compatible donor for years, depending on what organ they need. It was unjust how long these patients had to wait for a donation, and if a solution could be made to shorten these lengths, I wanted to contribute to providing these people an opportunity to live their lives sooner. This small spark would bring me down a rabbit hole in the research of making lab-grown organs to reduce the need for organ transplants. This directly aligns with one of the fields of bioprinting in Biomedical Engineering. This drive continues to grow in college, as I volunteer for the American Society for Molecular Biology and Biochemistry (ASBMB). Volunteering as a photographer for an undergraduate research symposium shows me the expansive progress being made by my peers. Since these discoveries are being made so close to home, I can contribute to the scientists who are looking to advance technology in patient treatment. The progression at UT’s research labs is astounding. For example, the Zoldan lab wants to utilize human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to alleviate the tissue shortage, which makes me know that engineering an organ is possible. Holding the position of Undergraduate Research Assistant for a lab, also exposes me to the overlooked parts in looking to develop technology. Here in the lab, I am tasked to create laboratory media which is used to upkeep specimens that the principal instructor uses, preparing various glassware for sterilization and storage, and other miscellaneous lab tasks. Ultimately these smaller parts in research impact the greater project by providing the much needed materials, ensuring that the product is good in accuracy and quality. Taking rigorous coursework simultaneously with volunteering prepares me for the challenges within the major. My engineering physics course has allowed my confidence to grow, while I experienced numerous failures and disappointments in my performance in the class. This challenge enabled me to persevere despite my lack of physics background and my first exposure to the subject being in college. Now majoring in Biomedical Engineering is the best fit, not only in research, but in the courses I will be studying. Having courses within the program, such as the Design of Artificial Organs and Engineering Biomaterials, continues to foster my knowledge in this field. My devotion to regenerative health will drive me to create tangible solutions for people who are desperate for an organ. I desire to be a part of those who are actively researching tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. By studying Biomedical Engineering, I will learn fundamental skills in tissue engineering. I aim to directly utilize these skills by planning to apply to UT’s integrated master's program in my junior year. Eventually, I will be able to achieve a PhD relating to tissue engineering or regenerative medicine. Just like my first spark inspired me, I, too, wish to engineer functioning cells and inspire prospective students and scientists alike.

Sacrificing his dreams for his family; depriving his dreams of building his own house; and destroying his aspirations for his future self just so he could allow his brothers to go to college. My father was forced to slash his desires at a young age, leaving his home in the Philippines to seek employment in another country. Consequently, he would leave my eldest brother in the Philippines to be able to have income to foster my brother's education. At the same time, my mother worked in a well-established company to provide for her family of 12. By fate, my parents would meet one another, as they both struggled to make ends meet. My father was out of a divorce and cared for my older brother. They soon would get married and my mother would live with my father in Saudi Arabia. Estranged from the Philippines and dwelling in Saudi Arabia, my father would attain a contract in the United States. My parents decided to live their lives, knowing they would never see their family in the years of sacrifice that came with the Filipino tradition of putting family first. My parents would be happy knowing that they were working for their children to have a better chance in life and providing for their family back home. Now, they continue to work at the ages of 59 and 58 for lengthy hours and endure their professions, just so our family can make an income while providing the opportunity of college for my siblings. With their sacrifices to come to the United States, they strived to support both their families back in the Philippines while cultivating the home they made in America. I admire this sacrifice that my parents made for my family. Even though my father is emotionally absent, and does not have the best father-daughter dynamic, I owe it to him and my mother who continuously support my ambitions to succeed. My parents pushed my siblings and me to accomplish, regardless of its outcome. They were happy with the fact that we were trying our hardest. With their bountiful amount of support, my parents would give my family as countless possibilities as they can even with a limited amount of money. My parents wanted their children to have access to possibilities to reach their dreams and beyond since they sacrificed their own. They were never able to reach their dreams but I hope to show them all their effort by providing that it was worth it by having one of their children go beyond the horizons of Texas and conquer their goals. My current goal of going beyond Texas for education was to continually achieve high marks in my education. My high grades never felt fulfilling in showing how much I am grateful for what they had to offer, so I set my eyes on selective colleges. The possibility of stepping into an elite college is my ultimate goal of financially supporting them, their families, and the dreams that still remain. After that college, while majoring in chemistry, I want pursue a career of being a chemical research engineer. Having the chances of pursing that career, I’ll be able to provide my parents finance in the dreams that are remaining for them. That they can rest easy without stressing on another on of their kids and their own lives. As I reflect upon my parent's journey, their excruciating efforts, and the long sleepless nights. I strive to rise to my best and achieve my own dreams. After all, I owe it all to them.