To understand the world we live in is to survive. We have made, arguably, many advances in society. Yet, not enough to outrun the consequences. We have built IT infrastructures that propelled education and therefore exponentially increased competition and preparedness to counteract malicious entities, which, in my examined cases, are the most deeply studied threats in medical science. I had to leave the country in which I hold citizenship due to harsh and life-threatening situations. In 2020, I got to the United States with $300. I am a first-generation, low-income college student, and my majors are Analytical Science and Mathematics with Computer Science and Information Systems. I ran out of financial aid in my final semester and therefore can’t pay my last semester’s tuition to officially graduate with my bachelor’s degree in Analytical Science and finish my Math major (I only have three classes left which I will test out of). I have completed my Analytical Science major, but can’t receive my diploma, nor my final transcript as proof of graduation. I am also not allowed to work during my study leave to cover the expenses, so I’m in REAL, ULTIMATE, desperate need of scholarships. I have applied and been admitted to one of the three Analytical Chemistry Master’s programs in the nation with a Graduate Assistantship. However, I have been forced to leave the university and its dorms due to not having the official diploma or another official proof. I’m living in pure limbo. My drive is to work on the understanding of the aging process, starting from the chemical and physical properties of the DNA. A simple Google search educated me on the RNA world of telomeres. My research will focus on telomeres, the end caps of chromosomes. They shrink every time DNA duplicates, protecting genetic information from being lost. It is such a new field that too little is known. My intent is to work alongside Dr. Nakamura at UIC or Dr. de Lange at Rockefeller University. The reason for pursuing an undergraduate degree in analytical science and math is to bring a wide variety of biology-specialized skills to the interests of researchers in this niche. My knowledge in programming and scripting, combined with mathematical and computing modeling preparation, and computer modeling visualization for molecular structures exposure, will introduce a further chain of connection between X-ray crystallography and 3D modeling. My interest in biochemistry originates from the unique progress of Dr. Feigon’s lab discoveries on the telomeres RNA. Among other university groups researching on telomeres-related issues, the Feigon lab is dedicated to the structure and architecture of the telomeres RNA and telomeres assembly and synthesis. The complete architecture of Tetrahymena holoenzyme was brought to light thanks to the recent advancements and applications of cryo-ET in order to visualize the dynamic processes of telomeres. To continue the work in determining the complete structure of the catalytic core of human telomeres RNA, my interest in crystallography will enhance the progress of the “resolution revolution”, and the revelation of the three-dimensional pseudo-atomic structure of the enzyme subunits involved in catalysis. The scopes of telomeres are numerous, even for just now. They are involved in Dyskeratosis, a genetic condition where young people die of age, in cancer, due to cells replicating uncontrollably, and aging, due to tissues dying for lack of telomeres therefore exposing critical DNA sequences. I started in Physics. I wanted to be a Physicist. I still want to, but a more focused research of my priorities led me to switch to biochemistry. I was set to delve into the studies of cosmic microwave background and optics. I am aware that natural and life Sciences are not the only important pillars for advancement and survival. I’ve worked in international relationships and technology during high school and college. I’ve had great collaborations with the Federal Reserve Bank to enhance their cyber security policy among districts and, about relations, I have explored the collaboration between embassies in European countries and their role and impacts on the country. I think that one single discovery or engineering development has a much bigger impact on society, and, of course, the understanding of nature. Even a new simple plant breeding procedure or a new gene-editing technique has an immense impact on people’s lives on a greater scale. So, without even considering the academic gratifications of learning, knowing that there are potentials for what our job could do is a determinative drive to reach that goal. I have, indeed, found my job and my drive; and to reach this goal I need help in the form of financial aid. I currently owe $5,500 to Dakota State University and this scholarship will help me access the next step towards my career. Without it, I don’t have any single means to stand up from the current situation. I am thankful for being one of the finalists in last year’s submissions. I hope that I can academically continue on a better track next semester.

I am a first-generation, low-income (no income and don’t have relatives or family) college student and my majors are Analytical Science and Mathematics with Computer Science and Information Systems. I ran out of financial aid in my final semester and therefore can’t pay my last semester’s tuition to officially graduate with my bachelor’s degree in Analytical Science and finish my Math major (I only have three classes left and will test out of two). I have completed my Analytical Science major, but can’t receive my diploma nor my final transcript as proof of graduation. I’m in REAL, ULTIMATE, desperate need of scholarships. I have applied and been admitted to one of the three Analytical Chemistry Master’s programs in the nation with Graduate Assistantship. My drive is to work on the understanding of the cancer process, starting from the chemical and physical properties of the DNA. A simple Google search educated me on the RNA world of telomeres. My research will focus on telomeres, the end caps of chromosomes. They shrink every time DNA duplicates, protecting genetic information from being lost. It is such a new field that too little is known. My intent is to work alongside Dr. Nakamura at UIC or Dr. de Lange at Rockefeller University. The reason for pursuing an undergraduate degree in analytical science and math is to bring a wide variety of biology-specialized skills to the interests of researchers in this niche. My knowledge in programming and scripting, combined with mathematical and computing modeling preparation, and computer modeling visualization for molecular structures exposure, will introduce a further chain of connection between X-ray crystallography and 3D modeling. My interest in biochemistry originates from the unique progress of Dr. Feigon’s lab discoveries on the telomeres RNA. Among other university groups researching on telomeres-related issues, the Feigon lab is dedicated to the structure and architecture of the telomeres RNA and telomeres assembly and synthesis. The complete architecture of Tetrahymena holoenzyme was brought to light thanks to the recent advancements and applications of cryo-ET in order to visualize the dynamic processes of telomeres. To continue the work in determining the complete structure of the catalytic core of human telomeres RNA, my interest in crystallography will enhance the progress of the “resolution revolution”, and the revelation of the three-dimensional pseudo-atomic structure of the enzyme subunits involved in catalysis. Although I can stay in the country under international student leave due to medical issues, I would like to be eligible again for international health insurance as a student. It’s been more than a year that I’ve had continuous indigestions. At least once a month, there’s a week when I can’t eat anything (or drink regularly). I have gastroesophageal reflux disease and have gone on hospital trips twice during the last two years. This past two months it has worsen: I had to stop my medications (which I’m not supposed to) for another unrelated health issues and I’m suspecting a stomach ulcer. If I’m eligible for the insurance, I can finally get a check up. I currently owe $5,500 to Dakota State University and with $800 in my account, this scholarship can save the situation.

Too many studies to be done that are crucial to humans' health. I will contribute to genetics-related research. My research will focus on telomeres, the end caps of chromosomes. They shrink every time DNA duplicates, protecting genetic information from being lost. They hugely impact cancer growth, dyskeratosis, and cell senescence (aging). It is such a new field that too little is known. According to the engineering publications by Alan Merk et al. in 2018, it is possible to bring the cryo-EM resolution to 1.8 Å. At this resolution, the near-atomic structure of molecules should be revealed, in comparison to 3.3 Å, where protein folding is fairly clear using protein binding. My goal during the five years of PhD research is to uncover the most comprehensive molecular structure of telomerase, and understand the dynamics of the p75–p19–p45 group. To continue the Feigon lab’s work in determining the complete structure of the catalytic core of human telomerase RNA and telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT), my dual interest in crystallography and telomerase will enhance the progress of the “resolution revolution”, and the revelation of the three-dimensional pseudo-atomic structure of the enzyme subunits involved in catalysis. The reason I chose to pursue an undergraduate degree in analytical science and math was to acquire a wide variety of biology-specialized skills I could employ to conduct research in this niche. My very interdisciplinary academic experiences with applications in chemistry will well serve my graduate studies in biochemistry. My knowledge in programming and scripting, combined with mathematical and computer modeling visualization for molecular structures exposure, will introduce a further chain of connection between 3D modeling and cryo-EM and telomerase research. I’m currently working on a collaborative publication with the USDA where I’m performing a functional analysis of differentially expressed genes in alfalfa inoculated with Aphanomyces euteiches, which is the most economically important alfalfa pathogen. My analysis should help untangle the complex molecular plant microbe interactions in this system and guide plant breeders towards generate disease resistant alfalfa. This manuscript will highlight my abilities in data visualization and should be submitted for publication in a high impact journal by early 2023. After being awarded with the Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellowship (BFTF), a prestigious international fellowship and summer institute at Wake Forest University, my unique involvement with the BFTF is to bring the scientific society to participate in global matter decisions and place science to the focus of the international relations and affairs of the US Department of State’s Education and Cultural Affairs (ECA). My ambassador leadership role at the ECA is related to the necessity to bring diversity among the scientific community, which can be accomplished with the recruitment of international scientists. This ECA goal will speed up the competitive scientific discovery that is typically left to individual research institutions and satisfy the need for international exceptionally-skilled individuals. Diversity in science is relatively critical to maintain a speedy progress in scientific advancements. I plan on remaining involved in this mission during my graduate years. My passion for optics and aging naturally translates into focus on biophysical and biochemical processes through structural determination of macromolecules. My pledge is to work on the understanding of the telomeres process, starting from the chemical and physical properties of telomerase. I plan on working in academia as a researcher.

We cannot expect to be omniscient without science. We cannot do science without other brains. We need collaboration, objectivity, and willingness to leave everything we knew when it doesn’t match reality. In high school, my interest and passion for physics increased exponentially. My brain would not focus on anything else other than the scientific aspect of things. My drive, at that point, was to work on the understanding of the aging process, starting from the chemical and physical properties of the DNA. My pledge and life revolve around the obsession of using every tool I know and love, and anything else I will learn, toward the understanding of this biomolecular daunting process. A simple Google search finally educated me on the RNA world of telomerase. We need more scientists. In 2017, I was awarded with the Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellowship (BFTF), a prestigious international fellowship and summer institute. My ongoing unique involvement with the BFTF is to bring the scientific society to participate in global matter decisions and place science to the focus of the international relations and affairs of the US Department of State’s Education and Cultural Affairs (ECA). My ambassador leadership role at the ECA is related to the necessity to bring diversity among the scientific community, which can be accomplished with the recruitment of international scientists. This ECA goal will speed up the competitive scientific discovery that is typically left to individual research institutions, and satisfy the need for international exceptionally-skilled individuals. We need diversity in science, to progress faster. Before college, I spent my exciting weekends at the FermiLab. I followed their Saturday lectures and their events, and participated in their exclusive facilities tours, as well as dedicating my time in recruiting young future scientists from underrepresented groups like women and non-binary individuals. This same mission continues through my participation in the Women in Cybersecurity (WiCyS) data science affiliation group. We also must prepare future interested scientists, especially those who have some ideas for their studies like I had, and provide them with opportunities. I will be completely in charge of the South Dakota Physics and Chemistry Intensive Summer Camp hosted at DSU in 2023. I am the founder, project manager, and academic professor. This intensive in-person institute is tailored toward 30 exceptional high school juniors with a plan to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in physics or chemistry. 3 spots are reserved for South Dakota Native Americans, and 3 spots for LGBTQ+ individuals. I will create the syllabi, lecture the college-level classes, and plan activities aimed at understanding and exploring post-secondary academic life. This state-wide camp will be funded by my BFTF grant, state fundings, and business sponsorships. My research will focus on telomeres, the end caps of chromosomes. They shrink every time DNA duplicates, protecting genetic information from being lost. It is such a new field that too little is known. My intent is to work alongside Dr. Feigon at UCLA, Dr. Nakamura at UIC, or Dr. de Lange at Rockefeller University. They all work on the biochemical structure of telomerase and replication mechanism involving telomeres. Working with Dr. Juli Feigon on the telomerase quest to progress with the scientific knowledge of this specific enzyme is the matrix of my interests in telomeres. The reason for pursuing an undergraduate degree in analytical science and math is to bring a wide variety of biology-specialized skills to the interests of researchers in this niche. My very interdisciplinary academic experiences with applications in chemistry will well serve my graduate studies in biochemistry. My knowledge in programming and scripting, combined with mathematical and computing modeling preparation, and computer modeling visualization for molecular structures exposure, will introduce a further chain of connection between Dr. Feng Qiao’s lab specialty in X-ray crystallography, Dr. Hong Zhou's lab in 3D modeling and cryo-EM, and Dr. Feigon’s telomerase research. My interest in biochemistry originates from the unique progress of Dr. Feigon’s lab discoveries on the telomerase RNA. Among other university groups researching on telomerase-related issues, the Feigon lab is dedicated to the structure and architecture of the telomerase RNA and its role on telomeres assembly and synthesis. Following the recent publications by the Feigon lab, the complete architecture of Tetrahymena telomerase holoenzyme was brought to light thanks to the recent advancements and applications of Dr. Hong Zhou’s lab in cryo-ET in order to visualize the dynamic processes of telomerase. The close interaction of different STEM disciplines is proof of the advantage of education in interconnected, specialized subfields. Because protein functions and folding are determined by their shapes, I took the advantage of the felt presence of mathematicians at Dakota State University and created individualized studies in applied math for biochemistry. For instance, protein matching and interactions can be modeled by the sub-discipline of Chemical Graph Theory, while protein structure can be determined through Combinatorial Chemistry. For these reasons, I enrolled in two courses of independent studies in “Graph Theory and Combinatorics” and “Algebraic Combinatorics”. To continue Feigon lab’s work in determining the complete structure of the catalytic core of human telomerase RNA and telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT), my dual interest in crystallography and telomerase will enhance the progress of the “resolution revolution”, and the revelation of the three-dimensional pseudo-atomic structure of the enzyme subunits involved in catalysis. According to the engineering publications by Alan Merk et al. in 2018, it is possible to bring the cryo-EM resolution to 1.8 Å. At this resolution, the near-atomic structure of molecules should be revealed (in comparison to 3.3 Å, where protein folding is fairly clear using protein binding). My goal during the five years of PhD research is to uncover the most comprehensive molecular structure of telomerase, and understand the dynamics of the p75–p19–p45 group. Publication including my work on functional analysis of differentially expressed genes in alfalfa (Medicago sativa) inoculated with Aphanomyces euteiches, requested by the USDA head P.I. for alfalfa, Dr. Deborah Samac, is set for early next year on the PLoS ONE Journal. The paper will be comprehensive of my sections on data visualization, methods, and summary. Thanks to my relevant research experience, I am ready to undertake graduate studies and research in biochemistry and structural biology, while taking advantage of the Institute for Genomics and Proteomics facilities, such as the NMR core. My whole life was affected by the major lack of basic reach for opportunities and necessities that are given for granted by those who never experienced low-income obstacles. Emancipation led to extreme financial circumstances. I will use the scholarship to fund my final term to obtain my Bachelor’s degree. If awarded, I will enroll in graduate courses that will serve as preparation for my PhD research in Biochemistry: • Structural Determination of Organic Compounds • Biochemistry II • Chemical Thermodynamics • Electromagnetism This scholarship would help me cover expenses to finish my degree. I have one more term to complete and $900 in my bank account, and no other form of income because of emancipation and my immigration status in the U.S.; therefore, I’m not eligible for the standard college federal grants and scholarships, nor reduced tuition.

What specifically draws me to Math in the first place is the creativity and abstraction. Math comes from the principles of nature, what we see around us. Our models of the world represent the creative side of our brains to find a way to abstract quantities (numbers, constants) and qualities (letters, variables, units) involved in predictions. These Math models are anywhere we want them to be - again creativity and abstraction. As long as we define what the qualities are, we can establish the interactions between them. Creativity and abstraction go even beyond; we can connect Math itself: Graph Theory modeled by Linear Algebra and Probability, Combinatorics modeled by Linear Algebra and Graph Theory, Probability modeled by Graph Theory, and vice versa. It’s either the same concept, or it’s all connected. The answer is, we make it that way! We use creativity to make use of preexisting tools. No cheating here. In high school, my interest and passion for physics increased exponentially. My brain would not focus on anything else other than the scientific aspect of things. My drive, at that point, was to work on the understanding of the aging process, starting from the chemical and physical properties of the DNA. My pledge and life revolve around the obsession of using every tool I know and love, and anything else I will learn, toward the understanding of this biomolecular daunting process. A simple Google search finally educated me on the RNA world of telomerase. The close interaction of different STEM disciplines is proof of the advantage of education in interconnected, specialized subfields. Because protein functions and folding are determined by their shapes, I took the advantage of the felt presence of mathematicians at Dakota State University and created individualized studies in applied math for biochemistry. For instance, protein matching and interactions can be modeled by the sub-discipline of Chemical Graph Theory, while protein structure can be determined with the help of Combinatorial Chemistry. For these reasons, I enrolled in two courses of independent studies in Graph Theory and Combinatorics and Algebraic Combinatorics. The reason for pursuing an undergraduate degree in analytical science and math is to bring a wide variety of biology-specialized skills to the interests of researchers in this niche. My very interdisciplinary academic experiences with applications in chemistry will well serve my graduate studies in biochemistry, connecting X-ray crystallography, 3D modeling, cryo-EM, and telomerase research.