My Physics teacher once said to me, right before the AP exam, "Leah, you are so much more intelligent than you sometimes realize.". That stuck with me going forward, and I think I owe a lot of my inspiration and love for science to my amazing teachers throughout my high school experience- my teachers have always been friendly and willing to work with me, which was a blessing as I didn't usually coast through my classes. Biology and Mathematics were always my greatest interests. Though I sometimes struggle to grasp mathematical concepts, I work hard and study until I can truthfully say I understand them. I place a lot of value in my education and take school very seriously. I can frequently be found visiting my teachers during office hours, asking questions both about the material we're covering in class and subjects I'm equally passionate about that transcend what we cover during our class time. I'm particularly interested in genetics and genetic disorders, as I had a cousin with Trisomy 18, who sadly passed away long before I was born. Even though I never met her, having such a close relation with her caused my interest in Genetics and Cellular Biology. When I discovered the field of Biostatistics/Data Science, it made me wonder how those processes could be applied to genetic and cellular research. I'm still deciding whether I want to become an Epidemiologist or a Biostatistician- the decision will ultimately come down to whether I find myself drawn more to Genetics/Biology or Data Science/Statistics during my time in college. After college, I'd like to get at least my Master's Degree and possibly my Doctorate in Biostatistics or a related field. This isn't just to make myself as marketable as possible to employers, but also because learning is one of the greatest joys in my life, no matter the subject. My goal is to contribute to research that can provide more insight into genetic disorders or the inner workings of cells all while applying mathematics to my area(s) of study. Statistics and research are the greatest asset to the biomedical field, and I aim to be a part of the betterment of available information and studies throughout my time both in school and after graduation. During school, I'm excited to further my education and understanding of the field of science, so that I can have a valuable impact within it.