Growing up, I never imagined that my first lesson in medicine would come from watching my grandfather slowly forget the people he loved. As his dementia progressed, I struggled to understand how someone who had once been so vibrant could gradually lose his memories, personality, and independence. I searched for answers, wondering what was happening inside his brain and why medicine could do so little to stop it. What began as grief soon became curiosity, and that curiosity has grown into a lifelong commitment to medicine and neuroscience. Rather than accepting that these diseases were simply part of aging, I wanted to understand the biology behind them. Through Seattle Science Lab's Secondary Research Opportunities Program, I conducted research investigating neuronal gene regulation using Xenopus tropicalis. Studying HuC promoters and gene expression introduced me to the complexity of the nervous system and showed me how discoveries at the molecular level can shape future therapies. Research taught me that every breakthrough begins with asking difficult questions, and it inspired me to pursue a career where I can contribute to advancing medical knowledge. While research deepened my scientific curiosity, volunteering reminded me why that work matters. In an Adolescent Behavioral Health Unit, I met patients navigating mental illness during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. As a side-walker at Sundance Hippotherapy, I worked alongside children with neurological and developmental disabilities, celebrating milestones that others might overlook but represented tremendous progress for the families involved. These experiences taught me that medicine is not only about diagnosing disease or developing treatments, it is about listening, building trust, and helping people find hope even in difficult circumstances. My commitment to medicine also extends beyond individual patients. As Co-Director of Seattle Science Lab, a youth-led nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to STEM education, I have helped organize research programs, secure over $18,000 in grant funding, and connect students with mentors and laboratory experiences they otherwise might never have had. I have seen firsthand how mentorship can transform a student's confidence and future aspirations. Whether mentoring young researchers or caring for future patients, I hope to empower others through education, compassion, and opportunity. This fall, I will study Molecular and Cellular Biology at Vanderbilt University as I prepare for medical school. I hope to become a physician-scientist focused on neurodegenerative diseases, combining patient care with research to improve treatments for conditions like dementia. I want to bridge the gap between discoveries in the laboratory and the people waiting for better therapies, ensuring that scientific innovation reaches those who need it most. My grandfather's illness first inspired me to ask "why." Medicine has inspired me to ask an even more important question: "How can I help?" Throughout my career, I hope to answer that question through compassionate patient care, meaningful research, and a commitment to improving the lives of individuals and families facing neurological disease.

Growing up, science was never abstract to me, it was personal. When my grandfather developed dementia, I watched the person I loved slowly fade as his body failed him. What unsettled me most was how quickly everything changed. That experience sparked my curiosity about what happens beneath the surface: how cells malfunction, how neurons deteriorate, and how molecular changes become human suffering. Instead of turning away from those difficult questions, I leaned into them by exploring science through research. I pursued that curiosity through Seattle Science Lab's Secondary Research Opportunities Program, where I studied neuronal gene regulation using Xenopus tropicalis. Investigating HuC promoters and gene expression showed me how small molecular changes can influence cell identity and regenerative potential. Research transformed my curiosity into purpose by giving me the tools to ask meaningful questions and work toward solutions. Outside the lab, I enjoy mentoring students and creating opportunities for others to discover the excitement of science. As Co-Director of Seattle Science Lab, a youth-led nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to STEM, I have helped secure over $18,000 in grant funding, organize research programs, and connect high school students with mentors and laboratories they otherwise may never have experienced. Many young women hesitate to pursue STEM because they don't see themselves represented or don't believe they belong. By helping make research more accessible, I hope to show them that they do. My passion for science is also grounded in service. Volunteering in an adolescent behavioral health unit and as a side-walker at a hippotherapy center introduced me to individuals living with neurological conditions and reinforced that scientific discovery is most meaningful when paired with compassion. These experiences taught me that empathy is just as essential to innovation as technical skill. This fall, I will study Molecular and Cellular Biology at Vanderbilt University with the goal of researching treatments for neurodegenerative diseases. As a woman entering STEM, I hope to contribute not only through scientific discovery but also by mentoring future generations of young women who share the same curiosity I once had. Receiving the Otto Bear Memorial Scholarship would allow me to continue that mission while honoring Otto's legacy of kindness, generosity, and investing in others. Throughout my career, I hope to mentor aspiring scientists, advocate for greater opportunities for women in STEM, and use scientific discovery to improve patients' lives while building a more inclusive research community for future generations.

Growing up, science was never abstract to me, it was personal. When my grandfather developed dementia, I watched the person I loved slowly fade as his body failed him. What unsettled me most was how quickly everything changed. That experience sparked my curiosity about what happens beneath the surface: how cells malfunction, how neurons deteriorate, and how molecular breakdowns manifest as human suffering. Instead of turning away from that discomfort, I leaned into it. I pursued this curiosity through hands-on research with Seattle Science Lab’s Secondary Research Opportunities Program, where I studied neuronal gene regulation using Xenopus tropicalis. Investigating HuC promoters and gene expression taught me how small molecular changes can determine cell identity and regenerative capacity. Research gave me language for loss and a framework to imagine solutions. At the same time, I worked to expand access to STEM by co-leading Seattle Science Lab, a youth-led nonprofit dedicated to breaking barriers to research opportunities. Through outreach, mentorship, and partnerships, we have impacted hundreds of students across Washington, many of whom had never stepped into a lab before. My commitment to science is deeply tied to service. Volunteering in the Adolescent Behavioral Health Unit showed me how neurological conditions shape daily life, while working as a side-walker at Sundance Hippotherapy revealed the power of rehabilitation and neuroplasticity. These experiences reinforced my belief that scientific progress is most meaningful when rooted in community care and equity. I plan to study Molecular and Cellular Biology at Vanderbilt University and pursue a career focused on understanding and treating neurodegenerative disease. This scholarship would ease the financial burden of higher education, allowing me to dedicate more time to research, service, and mentorship rather than financial stress. More importantly, it would affirm the values that Susan Grant embodied—compassion, education, and community growth—and help me continue building a future where science serves people, not just progress.