The work of scientists can change the world. Yet, I've never entirely grasped how they manage. When I was first offered a STEM program, I jumped at the chance to learn more. For our first assignment, I led my team through a project where we measured the variety of perennial plants in our boroughs. I started by cutting off a piece from each leaf, blending it with alcohol, and setting it over hot water. I subsequently sent it to the science lab, where we received our results. I wrote my first research article during this period. I had the impression that I was reliving the experiment with each sentence, and I was already considering conducting additional studies. I then organized my team to develop an electronic poster board that we presented to researchers and students during an online symposium. Throughout the entire process, I was constantly excited and realized that STEM research was a passion that I wanted to pursue further. Daily, I am developing and increasing my knowledge of science. I've got the chance to create and conduct a variety of experiments, deal with diverse materials, dissect brains, examine microorganisms under a microscope, and more. I have conducted experiments, including studying how the chemical compounds of alcohol and nicotine affect microorganisms such as daphnia and brine shrimp, and the effect of dehydration on the concentration of chlorophyll in different vegetables. I am constantly doing hands-on activities, writing research reports, presenting my work to scientists, and showing others how science affects the world. I've come to realize that without science, our society wouldn’t be as advanced as it is now. I aim to contribute to this growth in a meaningful way, so I am placing my attention where my passion is and pursuing a career as a medical science researcher. I want to broaden my knowledge of science from doing small experiments for projects to delving into research to help others. I want my research to make a difference. Being able to find a cure for a debilitating disease or further strengthen a vaccine is a dream for me. Seeing how many people struggle in our society and not being able to do anything about it saddens me. If I can make the smallest change and improve someone's life through medicine, I'll do anything needed. The feeling of having done everything in my power to help people whose bodies are suffering fulfills me.

Coming from a family of immigrants, and coming from a different country has changed my perspective on life. Seeing how many things are done differently and how different situations are handled has expanded my knowledge. For example in New York we have garbage trucks that pick up our trash, unlike in the Dominican Republic where the trash is simply burnt. This goes to show how many small things others are missing. Even the basic regulation of properly disposing of trash is not found everywhere. As a high schooler, there isn't much I can do. Yet, this hasn't stopped me from taking action. I would like to make basic human rights such as education, food, clothes, etc. more easily accessible to underserved populations. I took a small step into creating a bigger future by becoming vice president of my school's Smiles-For-All club. This is why I became vice president of the Smiles-For-All Club. Through this club, I accomplish what I have always aspired to do, help others in a deep and meaningful way. As not only are necessities taken from others across the world but even in America. It seems that as the rich become richer the poorer become poorer. We see this every day, prices rising more than paychecks. This makes it harder to live off the wages we are provided. If a worker isn’t paid enough to live decently, their situation is just getting worse, and their chance of getting out of those conditions decreases. The Smiles-For-All Club wants to help people who are struggling. By selling candy with inspirational quotes inserted, we make a difference. Using the money we collect, we donate to organizations that help people in need. I am the proud Vice President of the Smiles Club and have been instrumental in contributing to organizations such as the Malala Fund, UNICEF, and Onetreeplanted. We were able to provide teachers money for supplies, meals for those who are malnourished, and trees for areas of low green space. Lack of awareness leads to a lack of action taken. We all should concern ourselves with the global acquisition of basic human rights. I hope to continue helping organizations and creating spaces where I'm able to inspire others to take action on this problem. Participating in peaceful protests over this issue, and getting others to use their voice to spread awareness. Taking part in food donation programs, and putting in my time distributing essentials to those in need will help create change.

Donald Trump once stated that every choice made about trade, taxes, foreign affairs, and immigration will be in the interests of the United States. Although this approach will aid in economic expansion, immigrants may suffer as a result. “America first, but actually America alone,” as Joel Rubin once said. If only American interests are considered while making policies, we would find ourselves "alone," which might not be in our best interests. Additionally, there is the matter of climate change. There's the Paris Agreement which was made to support combating climate change. Yet, the U.S. made the mistake of reifying their cooperation for about 1 year. What progress could have happened in that time was taken, and we can't buy back time. Joining clean-up organizations to sweep parks, clean the plastic off beaches, and further initiate the 3 R's will help create change. As of now, I would also like to cover the topic of military policies. I think that policies such as the use of drones should be reviewed as well. Yes, we might be saving the lives of American soldiers, but at what cost? The lives of thousands of innocent people, the development of PTSD on drone operators, “collateral damage”. The use of this violence affects many people on both sides of the field. There are better ways of handling military situations where thousands of innocent people won’t die due to one bomb. Communication will take us further than these violent actions killing and scaring innocent civilians. We are not “collateral damage”. There are many malformed policies in place, but I would like to cover one thing that I find affects people in a very negative way, in America and the world. Inequalities in national income distribution. In the U.S. 10% of Americans held nearly 70% of U.S. wealth. Money put in place for police, fighter fighters, schools, etc. isn’t being broken up fairly. Schools in N.Y got millions taken from them about 1 year ago to put towards police forces. This isn't only seen in the U.S. though. In the Dominican Republic median household income decreased by -5.38%, and around 50% of national income was held by the richest 20% of the population, in Cuba, the national distribution is mishandled to the point where a driver might make $40 a week in tips but a doctor will make $40 a month, In Pakistan, the rich quintile makes 4.7 times more than the poorest quintile, and Spain is rated one of the 4 most unequal income countries in Europe. This issue has gone on for a long time. Yet, there have only been proposals made to fix this national issue such as raising wages and reviewing systematic spending. The most significant resolution proposed has been having a more progressive tax code where higher income gets higher. This idea is in huge debate, and as of 2022 binder proposed to have a tax on inherited wealth. There should be active policies in place to fix this issue. People are acting on their initiative because nothing is being done. Protests, marches, performative activism, etc. are all common. To positively impact American residents, these suggestions ought to be reevaluated, updated, and implemented. This and other significant issues might be discussed at a meeting. It is possible to develop and discuss solutions. I will take initiative and join others as they speak up. Joining organizations, and emailing higher representatives. The people are not currently in a stable situation, either monetarily or in other ways. I hope to help aid in the required action being taken, and help us not “stand-alone” in the future.

When reading about Dr. Rosalind Franklin and her crucial role in the discovery of the double helix of DNA, I realized that biochemistry is my calling. Working with Jacques Mering at the Laboratoire Central des Services Chimiques de l'État, she began learning about x-ray diffraction and molecule studies. This is what sparked her obsession with capturing increasingly clear pictures of DNA molecules. She would later discover the density of DNA and the helical conformation. Her clear x-rays of DNA molecules established a foundation for others, such as James Watson. If not for her work, we wouldn’t know what a double helix polymer is, much less the structure of a DNA molecule. Whether it be creating vaccines or genetically modifying debilitating diseases, studying biochemistry will give me a lens into understanding the interaction between biology and chemistry. Dr. Rosalind’s work, like many others, was proof of how scientists can change the world. Although I've always understood the concept behind science, I've never entirely grasped how they manage. When I was first offered a STEM program, I jumped at the chance to learn more. For our first assignment, I led my team through a project where we measured the variety of perennial plants in our boroughs. I started by cutting off a piece from each leaf, blending it with alcohol, and setting it over hot water. I subsequently sent it to the science lab, where we received our results. I wrote my first research article during this period. I had the impression that I was reliving the experiment with each sentence, and I was already considering conducting additional studies. I then organized my team to develop an electronic poster board that we presented to researchers and students during an online symposium. Throughout the entire process, I was constantly excited and realized that STEM research was a passion that I wanted to pursue further. Over the years I have conducted experiments, including studying how the chemical compounds of alcohol and nicotine affect microorganisms such as daphnia and brine shrimp and the effect of dehydration on the concentration of chlorophyll in different vegetables. I've got the chance to create and conduct a variety of experiments, deal with diverse materials, dissect brains, examine microorganisms under a microscope, and more. I want to broaden my knowledge of science from doing small experiments for projects to delving into research to help others. I want my research to make a difference. Being able to find a cure for a debilitating disease or further strengthen a vaccine is a dream for me. On a daily basis, I am developing and increasing my knowledge of science. I am constantly doing hands-on activities, writing research reports, presenting my work to scientists, and showing others how science affects the world. Without science, our society wouldn’t be as advanced as it is now. I would like to contribute to this growth in a meaningful way, so I am placing my attention where my passion is and pursuing a career as a medical science researcher. This scholarship will help aid me in reaching my goals, not only benefitting me, but future scientific progress. Allowing me to further my education and fully utilize my resources, I will be able to help others around me, and this scholarship will help add on to the strong base I have created.

When reading about Dr. Rosalind Franklin and her crucial role in the discovery of the double helix of DNA, I realized that biochemistry is my calling. Working with Jacques Mering at the Laboratoire Central des Services Chimiques de l'État, she began learning about x-ray diffraction and molecule studies. This is what sparked her obsession with capturing increasingly clear pictures of DNA molecules. She would later discover the density of DNA and the helical conformation. Her clear x-rays of DNA molecules established a foundation for others, such as James Watson. If not for her work, we wouldn’t know what a double helix polymer is, much less the structure of a DNA molecule. Whether it be creating vaccines or genetically modifying debilitating diseases, studying biochemistry will give me a lens into understanding the interaction between biology and chemistry. Dr. Rosalind’s work, like many others, was proof of how scientists can change the world. Although I've always understood the concept behind science, I've never entirely grasped how they manage. When I was first offered a STEM program, I jumped at the chance to learn more. For our first assignment, I led my team through a project where we measured the variety of perennial plants in our boroughs. I started by cutting off a piece from each leaf, blending it with alcohol, and setting it over hot water. I subsequently sent it to the science lab, where we received our results. I wrote my first research article during this period. I had the impression that I was reliving the experiment with each sentence, and I was already considering conducting additional studies. I then organized my team to develop an electronic poster board that we presented to researchers and students during an online symposium. Throughout the entire process, I was constantly excited and realized that STEM research was a passion that I wanted to pursue further. Over the years I have conducted experiments, including studying how the chemical compounds of alcohol and nicotine affect microorganisms such as daphnia and brine shrimp and the effect of dehydration on the concentration of chlorophyll in different vegetables. I've got the chance to create and conduct a variety of experiments, deal with diverse materials, dissect brains, examine microorganisms under a microscope, and more. I want to broaden my knowledge of science from doing small experiments for projects to delving into research to help others. I want my research to make a difference. Being able to find a cure for a debilitating disease or further strengthen a vaccine is a dream for me. On a daily basis, I am developing and increasing my knowledge of science. I am constantly doing hands-on activities, writing research reports, presenting my work to scientists, and showing others how science affects the world. Without science, our society wouldn’t be as advanced as it is now. I would like to contribute to this growth in a meaningful way, so I am placing my attention where my passion is and pursuing a career as a medical science researcher.