From dissecting owl pellets to fifty mile backpacking treks, outdoor rock climbing, and mountain biking endeavors, I am always enthralled by the adventures nature presents me. So when I took a college Biology course and lab, I became obsessed with the mystery with which nature shrouds our knowledge. Intrigued by the zoology portion of the class, I became a volunteer at the local zoo, interacting with animals and children on a daily basis. Seeing the playful, behavioral similarities between the children and primates prompted my enrollment in an optional college Anthropology course that had an emphasis on human evolution. Discussing humans' newly radiated family tree, discoveries within DNA, and relations to modern primates presented an entirely new perspective on my previous knowledge of evolution. This course’s topic tied perfectly into my optional dual enrollment Biological Psychology (neuroscience) class. I originally enrolled because of my interest in cellular biology, previous psychology and genealogy electives, and a former biomedical class, but soon found the mysteries of these previous interests trumped. Because I was amongst the best in this course, Professor Chris Miller asked me to join his research on Clinical Disorders. I joined two projects: Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. In both projects, my partners and I screen published articles that match our criteria for data extraction. We then extract the data and statistically analyze it through Multilevel Kernel Density Analysis. This creates a map of the brain showing the hypo- and hyper-activated regions in those with clinical disorders. My ultimate goal is to create more effective cures for stigmatized patients with clinical disorders, such as depression. Beginning my journey this summer, I am going to begin a meta analysis on activation in the brian for patients with schizophrenia. By recognizing the affected areas of the brain, medicines can be developed to counteract the hyper- or hyper-activated regions. I hope my research will branch into other disorders so those suffering with mental illness can receive better treatments. While my personal journey through the STEM fields has led me to realize my passion in medicine, my first inspiration stems from my mother–a nurse practitioner– and my great-aunt–an ear, nose, and throat surgeon. These strong female figures, on top of my Neuroscience and Anthropology professors, have helped guide me towards public service through medicine. I am extremely grateful for being considered for this scholarship and I know I will make an impact with my future.

I have always loved the feeling of being a part of something larger than myself. With piano, I am expanding upon my great-grandmother's legacy. In Adaptive Sports and Elevaters, I am a part of a movement meant to uplift those with “disadvantages''. In Beautify Fresno, I am helping my community by cleaning it’s streets. However, my experience as a Junior Camp Counselor was when I truly felt the impact of my work. My first day, I noticed that one of my girl campers stood out. She would not play or run or walk up steps and often chose to sit alone at lunch. My attempts to involve her were met with self conscious remarks about her body. She was only eight. I can not and did not accept that such a young girl had taken the burden of self-consciousness so many adults struggle with. Throughout the week, when I was sure other volunteers were caring for the other children, I would stand by her side. I got her engaged in lunch time activities such as freeze tag and dance offs. Our connection grew stronger. By the end of the week, she and I danced on stage in front of 100 children. This was the first time I could process the difference I was making. She may still be self-conscious, but in that moment I knew that I had uplifted a girl who felt alone. The next week, a girl in my camp had a physical handicap and it was clear her confidence was affected by it. Like the previous week, I made sure to include her in all activities, changing non-accessible games to make sure she was involved. At the end of the week, she told me she loved me. Even though she was young, I could see the gravity of my impact. Since then, I have joined many school and community groups to help uplift children. I became a tutor at my school to help my peers through difficult subjects. I became a Direct of Tutor’s (and tutored) at Elevators to provide children with minimal resources the same opportunities as other childrens. I began to plant Valley Oaks (native trees in my area) for neighbors. Every experience brought me joy because I knew I was making an impact. I cannot wait to give back to the new communities I make in college and beyond. I am extremely grateful to be considered for this scholarship and I know I will bring the same love and kindness Janie Mae brought to this world.

When I broke the news to my piano teacher that I had begun rock climbing, she was mortified. For over a decade, I dedicated my life to piano, becoming an accomplished and serious musician. Starting highschool, my school days, sometimes lasting from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., pressured my commitment to this instrument. Rock climbing would further strain my time and physical ability with calluses, cuts, and bruises. My hands are expected to be elegant. How could I be a pianist with callused hands? Ignoring my teacher’s concerns, I continued piano and began climbing at Metalmark, developing a love for the physical and mental puzzle the sport challenged me with. Climbing was an outlet for stress from school, extracurriculars, and family. It was a way I could create my own path, try my own ideas, fail and pick myself back up. Hoping to share my joy with others, I became a volunteer with Adaptive Sports, helping physically and mentally disabled children fall in love with climbing. In my Sophomore year, I joined my high school's rock climbing team. Branching outside of the gym, I tried climbing in Joshua Trees and Yosemite. Trying “Midnight Lightning”- the most famous climb in Yosemite valley- made me feel a part of something much larger than myself. It did not matter that my hands were a mosaic of calluses. Until the final of my sophomore and junior year, piano was not interrupted by my sport. I never stopped winning competitions, performing duets, or accompanying; but on these days, I had piano competitions scheduled immediately after the rock climbing finals. I did not compromise. I climbed crimps and sloppers, pushed and pulled, pinched and jumped. My fingers burned raw and yet I placed. When I sat at the piano bench, adrenaline coursing through my hands, black dress draped below my knees, and back poised, I did not compromise; I played with confidence. I played better and as beautifully as I had before my rock climbing endeavors, earning State Honors and a gold medal. My hands may be callused, but it will not hinder my elegance across the keys. My fingertips may be soft, but it will not hinder my performance on the wall. Rock climbing has taught me that I do not have to follow the stereotypes of any sport or activity. As I pursue my career as a neuroscientist, I will break the molds so that I can be me. In the future, I hope to develop better medications for those in our community struggling with clinical disorders such as depression. However, I cannot afford the undergraduate and postgraduate tuition required to pursue my dreams and better my community. With this scholarship, I will be able to achieve these dreams. I am extremely grateful to be considered this scholarship and I know I will bring honor to Kalia D. Davis's name.

In seventh grade, my parents decided to put me on birth control. No, I did not go on the pill to prevent pregnancy, or “God’s will”, or to give a metaphorical middle finger to the millions of strong women who chose to bear kids. I was trying to stop the suffering my period caused me: throwing up, headaches, immobilizing cramps. When I went to my doctor, she refused to provide me with the medication, blaming my pain on an imbalance of hormones. Even after the blood test confirmed my hormones were level, she used a future addiction and more potential suffering as a way to avoid giving me birth control. Desperate for relief, I went to my local Planned Parenthood; radicals screamed outside. Signs that read “Abortion is a Sin'' were handed to every car, every person, and posted on every tree. The audacity of these “pro-lifers'' stunned me. My problem was not with their opinion, but with their apathetic expression of their opinion. They did not care about my feelings, about my rights to control my body, about the pain I was suffering, or even the fact that I was not getting an abortion. These people only seemed to care that I, a seventh grade girl, was actively selling my soul to the devil. The ignorance appalled me. How could someone be so “pro-life” and then deny the basic freedoms of life? If your basic human rights are removed, are you even human? As time went on, the political stance to ban women's rights increased. Planned Parenthoods across the country were being shot up and shut down. Roe v Wade was overturned and began shifting the discussion towards contraception. Women already were being denied safe decisions about pregnancy, but now they were not allowed to choose when and where they wanted a child. I am not sexually active, but if and when I choose to be, I reserve the right to be able to choose what is best for both me, my partner, and my future children. The medical field needs strong, independent women who are willing to fight for their patients rights. By pursuing a career in medicine, I am providing a voice for all women who feel suppressed. I know that I will empower every patient I have by making them feel comfortable within their body and their decisions. Thank you for considering me for this scholarship and I know I will bring honor to Sloane and her family.

I have always known that my career would involve STEM. From dissecting owl pellets to fifty mile backpacking treks, outdoor rock climbing, and mountain biking endeavors, I was always enthralled by the adventures nature presents me. So when I took a college Biology course and lab, I became obsessed with the mystery with which nature shrouds our knowledge. Intrigued by the zoology portion of the class, I became a volunteer at the local zoo, interacting with animals and children on a daily basis. Seeing the playful, behavioral similarities between the children and primates prompted my enrollment in an optional college Anthropology course that had an emphasis on human evolution. Discussing humans' newly radiated family tree, discoveries within DNA, and relations to modern primates presented an entirely new perspective on my previous knowledge of evolution. This course’s topic tied perfectly into my optional dual enrollment Biological Psychology (neuroscience) class. I originally enrolled because of my interest in cellular biology, previous psychology and genealogy electives, and a former biomedical class, but soon found the mysteries of these previous interests trumped. Because I was amongst the best in this course, Professor Chris Miller asked me to join his research on Clinical Disorders. I joined two projects: Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. In both projects, my partners and I screen published articles that match our criteria for data extraction. We then extract the data and statistically analyze it through Multilevel Kernel Density Analysis. This creates a map of the brain showing the hypo- and hyper-activated regions in those with clinical disorders. My ultimate goal is to create more effective cures for stigmatized patients with clinical disorders. Beginning my journey this summer, I am going to begin a meta analysis on activation in the brian for patients with schizophrenia. By recognizing the affected areas of the brain, medicines can be developed to counteract the hyper- or hyper-activated regions. While my personal journey through the STEM fields has led me to realize my passion in neuroscience, my first inspiration stems from my mother–a nurse practitioner– and my great-aunt–an ear, nose, and throat surgeon. These strong female figures, on top of my Neuroscience and Anthropology professors have helped guide me towards public service through sciences. Although I do not have an exact title, I know that I want to pursue neuroscience. It combines every aspect of science I am interested in; it is where I feel I can make the biggest impact. I am extremely grateful for being considered for this scholarship and would love if you helped he achieve my goal of becoming a neuroscientist.

From dissecting owl pellets to fifty mile backpacking treks, outdoor rock climbing, and mountain biking endeavors, I am always enthralled by the adventures nature presents me. So when I took a college Biology course and lab, I became obsessed with the mystery with which nature shrouds our knowledge. Intrigued by the zoology portion of the class, I became a volunteer at the local zoo, interacting with animals and children on a daily basis. Seeing the playful, behavioral similarities between the children and primates prompted my enrollment in an optional college Anthropology course that had an emphasis on human evolution. Discussing humans' newly radiated family tree, discoveries within DNA, and relations to modern primates presented an entirely new perspective on my previous knowledge of evolution. This course’s topic tied perfectly into my optional dual enrollment Biological Psychology (neuroscience) class. I originally enrolled because of my interest in cellular biology, previous psychology and genealogy electives, and a former biomedical class, but soon found the mysteries of these previous interests trumped. Martin Shapiro’s description of the cellular mechanics of the brain in Biopsychology enthralled me. The energy it takes to move an action potential through a neuron in order to move microscopic proteins to then endocytose into a postsynaptic neuron seems like an impossible task and yet our brain does this thousands of times every second. The balance between the known and unknown of the brain sparked my curiosity to discover its secrets. Because I was amongst the best in this course, Professor Chris Miller asked me to join his research on Clinical Disorders. I joined two projects: Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. In both projects, my partners and I screen published articles that match our criteria for data extraction. We then extract the data and statistically analyze it through Multilevel Kernel Density Analysis. This creates a map of the brain showing the hypo- and hyper-activated regions in those with clinical disorders. My ultimate goal is to create more effective cures for stigmatized patients with clinical disorders. Beginning my journey this summer, I am going to begin a meta analysis on activation in the brian for patients with schizophrenia. By recognizing the affected areas of the brain, medicines can be developed to counteract the hyper- or hyper-activated regions. While my personal journey through the STEM fields has led me to realize my passion in medicine, my first inspiration stems from my mother–a nurse practitioner– and my great-aunt–an ear, nose, and throat surgeon. They are the strongest female figures in my life and I want to follow in their footsteps. I am extremely grateful for being considered for this scholarship and I know I will bring honor to my family and every other woman's legacy in STEM.

I have always loved the feeling of being a part of something larger than myself. With piano, I am expanding upon my great-grandmother's legacy. In Adaptive Sports and Elevaters, I am a part of a movement meant to uplift those with “disadvantages''. In Beautify Fresno, I am helping my community by cleaning it’s streets. However, my experience as a Junior Camp Counselor was when I truly felt the impact of my leadership. My first day, I noticed that one of my girl campers stood out. She would not play or run or walk up steps and often chose to sit alone at lunch. My attempts to involve her were met with self conscious remarks about her body. She was only eight. I can not and did not accept that such a young girl had taken the burden of self-consciousness so many adults struggle with. Throughout the week, when I was sure other volunteers were caring for the other children, I would stand by her side. I got her engaged in lunch time activities such as freeze tag and dance offs. Our connection grew stronger. By the end of the week, she and I danced on stage in front of 100 children. This was the first time I could process the difference I was making. She may still be self-conscious, but in that moment I knew that I had uplifted a girl who felt alone. My next week, a girl in my camp had a physical handicap and it was clear her confidence was affected by it. Like the previous week, I made sure to include her in all activities, changing non-accessible games to make sure she was involved. At the end of the week, she told me she loved me. Even though she was young, I could see the gravity of my impact. This experience has helped me realized that the strength of my leadership is built on the connections I make with others. Moving forward with this juxtaposition, I joined many school and community groups to help uplift children. I became a tutor at my school to help my peers through difficult subjects. I became a Direct of Tutor’s (and tutored) at Elevators to provide children with minimal resources the same opportunities as other children. Being able to connect with these children increased my impact on their lives. In the future, I hope to use my research on clinical disorders (such as depression and anxiety) to better understand and uplift our youth. I firmly believe that everyone deserves equal opportunities in life and I will strive to make this idea a reality. I am extremely grateful to be considered for this scholarship and cannot wait to give back to the new communities I make in college and beyond.

From dissecting owl pellets to fifty mile backpacking treks, outdoor rock climbing, and mountain biking endeavors, I am always enthralled by the adventures nature presents me. So when I took a college Biology course and lab, I became obsessed with the mystery with which nature shrouds our knowledge. Intrigued by the zoology portion of the class, I became a volunteer at the local zoo, interacting with animals and children on a daily basis. Seeing the playful, behavioral similarities between the children and primates prompted my enrollment in an optional college Anthropology course that had an emphasis on human evolution. Discussing humans' newly radiated family tree, discoveries within DNA, and relations to modern primates presented an entirely new perspective on my previous knowledge of evolution. This course’s topic tied perfectly into my optional dual enrollment Biological Psychology (neuroscience) class. I originally enrolled because of my interest in cellular biology, previous psychology and genealogy electives, and a former biomedical class, but soon found the mysteries of these previous interests trumped. Martin Shapiro’s description of the cellular mechanics of the brain in Biopsychology enthralled me. The energy it takes to move an action potential through a neuron in order to move microscopic proteins to then endocytose into a postsynaptic neuron seems like an impossible task and yet our brain does this thousands of times every second. The balance between the known and unknown of the brain sparked my curiosity to discover its secrets. Because I was amongst the best in this course, Professor Chris Miller asked me to join his research on Clinical Disorders. I joined two projects: Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. In both projects, my partners and I screen published articles that match our criteria for data extraction. We then extract the data and statistically analyze it through Multilevel Kernel Density Analysis. This creates a map of the brain showing the hypo- and hyper-activated regions in those with clinical disorders. My ultimate goal is to create more effective cures for stigmatized patients with clinical disorders. Beginning my journey this summer, I am going to begin a meta analysis on activation in the brian for patients with schizophrenia. By recognizing the affected areas of the brain, medicines can be developed to counteract the hyper- or hyper-activated regions. While my personal journey through the STEM fields has led me to realize my passion in neuroscience, my first inspiration stems from my mother–a nurse practitioner– and my great-aunt–an ear, nose, and throat surgeon. These strong female figures, on top of my Neuroscience and Anthropology professors have helped guide me towards public service through the sciences. I am extremely grateful for being considered for this scholarship and I know I will bring honor to William Griggs’s name.

From dissecting owl pellets to fifty mile backpacking treks, outdoor rock climbing, and mountain biking endeavors, I am always enthralled by the adventures nature presents me. So when I took a college Biology course and lab, I became obsessed with the mystery with which nature shrouds our knowledge. Intrigued by the zoology portion of the class, I became a volunteer at the local zoo, interacting with animals and children on a daily basis. Seeing the playful, behavioral similarities between the children and primates prompted my enrollment in an optional college Anthropology course that had an emphasis on human evolution. Discussing humans' newly radiated family tree, discoveries within DNA, and relations to modern primates presented an entirely new perspective on my previous knowledge of evolution. This course’s topic tied perfectly into my optional dual enrollment Biological Psychology (neuroscience) class. I originally enrolled because of my interest in cellular biology, previous psychology and genealogy electives, and a former biomedical class, but soon found the mysteries of these previous interests trumped. Martin Shapiro’s description of the cellular mechanics of the brain in Biopsychology enthralled me. The energy it takes to move an action potential through a neuron in order to move microscopic proteins to then endocytose into a postsynaptic neuron seems like an impossible task and yet our brain does this thousands of times every second. The balance between the known and unknown of the brain sparked my curiosity to discover its secrets. Because I was amongst the best in this course, Professor Chris Miller asked me to join his research on Clinical Disorders. I joined two projects: Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. In both projects, my partners and I screen published articles that match our criteria for data extraction. We then extract the data and statistically analyze it through Multilevel Kernel Density Analysis. This creates a map of the brain showing the hypo- and hyper-activated regions in those with clinical disorders. My ultimate goal is to create more effective cures for stigmatized patients with clinical disorders. Beginning my journey this summer, I am going to begin a meta analysis on activation in the brian for patients with schizophrenia. By recognizing the affected areas of the brain, medicines can be developed to counteract the hyper- or hyper-activated regions. While my personal journey through the STEM fields has led me to realize my passion in medicine, my first inspiration stems from my mother–a nurse practitioner– and my aunt–an ear, nose, and throat surgeon. My aunt was the only female surgeon in every hospital or health care provider she ever worked for. She and my mother are constantly encouraging me to empower other women by joining the medical field. I am excited to honor their legacies. Thank you for considering me for this scholarship; I know I will make an impact.

From dissecting owl pellets to fifty mile backpacking treks, outdoor rock climbing, and mountain biking endeavors, I am always enthralled by the adventures nature presents me. So when I took a college Biology course and lab, I became obsessed with the mystery with which nature shrouds our knowledge. Intrigued by the zoology portion of the class, I became a volunteer at the local zoo, interacting with animals and children on a daily basis. Seeing the playful, behavioral similarities between the children and primates prompted my enrollment in an optional college Anthropology course that had an emphasis on human evolution. Discussing humans' newly radiated family tree, discoveries within DNA, and relations to modern primates presented an entirely new perspective on my previous knowledge of evolution. This course’s topic tied perfectly into my optional dual enrollment Biological Psychology (neuroscience) class. I originally enrolled because of my interest in cellular biology, previous psychology and genealogy electives, and a former biomedical class, but soon found the mysteries of these previous interests trumped. Martin Shapiro’s description of the cellular mechanics of the brain in Biopsychology enthralled me. The energy it takes to move an action potential through a neuron in order to move microscopic proteins to then endocytose into a postsynaptic neuron seems like an impossible task and yet our brain does this thousands of times every second. The balance between the known and unknown of the brain sparked my curiosity to discover its secrets. Since I was amongst the best in this course, Professor Chris Miller asked me to join his research on Clinical Disorders. I joined two projects: Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. In both projects, my partners and I screen published articles that match our criteria for data extraction. We then extract the data and statistically analyze it through Multilevel Kernel Density Analysis. This creates a map of the brain showing the hypo- and hyper-activated regions in those with clinical disorders. My ultimate goal is to create more effective cures for stigmatized patients with clinical disorders. Beginning my journey this summer, I am going to begin a meta analysis on activation in the brian for patients with schizophrenia. By recognizing the affected areas of the brain, medicines can be developed to counteract the hyper- or hyper-activated regions. While my personal journey through the STEM fields has led me to realize my passion in medicine, my first inspiration stems from my mother–a nurse practitioner– and my great-aunt–an ear, nose, and throat surgeon. These strong female figures, on top of my Neuroscience and Anthropology professors, have helped me see the power of public service through medicine. I am extremely grateful for being considered for this scholarship and I know I will bring honor to Maxwell Tuan Nguyen’s name.

I have always loved the feeling of being a part of something larger than myself. With piano, I am expanding upon my great-grandmother's legacy. In Adaptive Sports and Elevaters, I am a part of a movement meant to uplift those with “disadvantages''. In Beautify Fresno, I am helping my community by cleaning it’s streets. However, my experience as a Junior Camp Counselor was when I truly felt the impact of my work. My first day, I noticed that one of my girl campers stood out. She would not play or run or walk up steps and often chose to sit alone at lunch. My attempts to involve her were met with self conscious remarks about her body. She was only eight. I can not and did not accept that such a young girl had taken the burden of self-consciousness so many adults struggle with. Throughout the week, when I was sure other volunteers were caring for the other children, I would stand by her side. I got her engaged in lunch time activities such as freeze tag and dance offs. Our connection grew stronger. By the end of the week, she and I danced on stage in front of 100 children. This was the first time I could process the difference I was making. She may still be self-conscious, but in that moment I knew that I had uplifted a girl who felt alone. My next week, a girl in my camp had a physical handicap and it was clear her confidence was affected by it. Like the previous week, I made sure to include her in all activities, changing non-accessible games to make sure she was involved. At the end of the week, she told me she loved me. Even though she was young, I could see the gravity of my impact. Since then, I have joined many school and community groups to help uplift children. I became a tutor at my school to help my peers through difficult subjects. I became a Direct of Tutor’s (and tutored) at Elevators to provide children with minimal resources the same opportunities as other childrens. I began to plant Valley Oaks (native trees in my area) for neighbors. Every experience brought me joy because I knew I was making an impact. No matter where I go, I will continue to give back to my community by helping the environment, students, and the youth. I am extremely grateful to be considered for this scholarship and cannot wait to give back to the new communities I make in college and beyond.

I have always loved the feeling of being a part of something larger than myself. With piano, I am expanding upon my great-grandmother's legacy. In Adaptive Sports and Elevaters, I am a part of a movement meant to uplift those with “disadvantages''. In Beautify Fresno, I am helping my community by cleaning it’s streets. However, my experience as a Junior Camp Counselor was when I truly felt the impact of my work. My first day, I noticed that one of my girl campers stood out. She would not play or run or walk up steps and often chose to sit alone at lunch. My attempts to involve her were met with self conscious remarks about her body. She was only eight. I can not and did not accept that such a young girl had taken the burden of self-consciousness so many adults struggle with. Throughout the week, when I was sure other volunteers were caring for the other children, I would stand by her side. I got her engaged in lunch time activities such as freeze tag and dance offs. Our connection grew stronger. By the end of the week, she and I danced on stage in front of 100 children. This was the first time I could process the difference I was making. She may still be self-conscious, but in that moment I knew that I had uplifted a girl who felt alone. My next week, a girl in my camp had a physical handicap and it was clear her confidence was affected by it. Like the previous week, I made sure to include her in all activities, changing non-accessible games to make sure she was involved. At the end of the week, she told me she loved me. Even though she was young, I could see the gravity of my impact. Since then, I have joined many school and community groups to help uplift children. I became a tutor at my school to help my peers through difficult subjects. I became a Direct of Tutor’s (and tutored) at Elevators to provide children with minimal resources the same opportunities as other childrens. I began to plant Valley Oaks (native trees in my area) for neighbors. Every experience brought me joy because I knew I was making an impact. I am extremely grateful to be considered for this scholarship and cannot wait to give back to the new communities I make in college and beyond.

From dissecting owl pellets to fifty mile backpacking treks, outdoor rock climbing, and mountain biking endeavors, I am always enthralled by the adventures nature presents me. So when I took a college Biology course and lab, I became obsessed with the mystery with which nature shrouds our knowledge. Intrigued by the zoology portion of the class, I became a volunteer at the local zoo, interacting with animals and children on a daily basis. Seeing the playful, behavioral similarities between the children and primates prompted my enrollment in an optional college Anthropology course that had an emphasis on human evolution. Discussing humans' newly radiated family tree, discoveries within DNA, and relations to modern primates presented an entirely new perspective on my previous knowledge of evolution. This course’s topic tied perfectly into my optional dual enrollment Biological Psychology (neuroscience) class. I originally enrolled because of my interest in cellular biology, previous psychology and genealogy electives, and a former biomedical class, but soon found the mysteries of these previous interests trumped. Martin Shapiro’s description of the cellular mechanics of the brain in Biopsychology enthralled me. The energy it takes to move an action potential through a neuron in order to move microscopic proteins to then endocytose into a postsynaptic neuron seems like an impossible task and yet our brain does this thousands of times every second. The balance between the known and unknown of the brain sparked my curiosity to discover its secrets. Because I was amongst the best in this course, Professor Chris Miller asked me to join his research on Clinical Disorders. I joined two projects: Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. In both projects, my partners and I screen published articles that match our criteria for data extraction. We then extract the data and statistically analyze it through Multilevel Kernel Density Analysis. This creates a map of the brain showing the hypo- and hyper-activated regions in those with clinical disorders. Over the summer, I hope to continue my research and begin a project analyzing brain activation in those with Schizophrenia. During these courses, my mother-a nurse-and my aunt-a surgeon- began to enlighten me on their experiences in the STEM/medical field. From my aunt's stories of discrimination to both my Anthropology and Biological Psychology professors stressing the need of curious women in the fields, I became convinced me of the importance of women in the STEM world. I will pursue higher level education to not only to pursue my passion but to add to the expansion of these fields. I am excited to add to the expansion of the neuroscience field with programs and research at any college and post-college program I attended. I am extremely grateful for being considered for this scholarship.

From dissecting owl pellets to fifty mile backpacking treks, outdoor rock climbing, and mountain biking endeavors, I am always enthralled by the adventures nature presents me. So when I took a college Biology course and lab, I became obsessed with the mystery with which nature shrouds our knowledge. Intrigued by the zoology portion of the class, I became a volunteer at the local zoo, interacting with animals and children on a daily basis. Seeing the playful, behavioral similarities between the children and primates prompted my enrollment in an optional college Anthropology course that had an emphasis on human evolution. Discussing humans' newly radiated family tree, discoveries within DNA, and relations to modern primates presented an entirely new perspective on my previous knowledge of evolution. This course’s topic tied perfectly into my optional dual enrollment Biological Psychology (neuroscience) class. I originally enrolled because of my interest in cellular biology, previous psychology and genealogy electives, and a former biomedical class, but soon found the mysteries of these previous interests trumped. Martin Shapiro’s description of the cellular mechanics of the brain in Biopsychology enthralled me. The energy it takes to move an action potential through a neuron in order to move microscopic proteins to then endocytose into a postsynaptic neuron seems like an impossible task and yet our brain does this thousands of times every second. The balance between the known and unknown of the brain sparked my curiosity to discover its secrets. Because I was amongst the best in this course, Professor Chris Miller asked me to join his research on Clinical Disorders. I joined two projects: Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. In both projects, my partners and I screen published articles that match our criteria for data extraction. We then extract the data and statistically analyze it through Multilevel Kernel Density Analysis. This creates a map of the brain showing the hypo- and hyper-activated regions in those with clinical disorders. Over the summer, I hope to continue my research and begin a project analyzing brain activation in those with Schizophrenia. During these courses, my mother-a nurse-and my aunt-a surgeon- began to enlighten me on their experiences in the STEM/medical field. From my aunt's stories of discrimination to both my Anthropology and Biological Psychology professors stressing the need of curious women in the fields, these conversations convinced me of the importance of women in the medical and STEM world. As it stands, I am continuing to grow my passion in neuroscience, specifically on clinical disorders. I am excited to add to the expansion of the neuroscience medical field with programs and research at any college I attended. I am extremely grateful for being considered for this scholarship and I know I will bring honor to Norman C. Nelson IV's name.

When I broke the news to my piano teacher that I had begun rock climbing, she was mortified. For over a decade, I dedicated my life to piano, becoming an accomplished and serious musician. Starting highschool, my school days, sometimes lasting from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., pressured my commitment to this instrument. I had begun graduate research at Fresno State with Professor Chris Miller of Stanford, began taking optional college STEM courses, and was exploring the world of classics. Rock climbing would further strain my time and physical ability with calluses, cuts, and bruises. My hands are expected to be elegant. How could I be a pianist with callused hands? Ignoring my teacher’s concerns, I continued piano and began climbing at Metalmark, developing a love for the physical and mental puzzle the sport challenged me with. Climbing was an outlet for stress from school, extracurriculars, and family. It was a way I could create my own path, try my own ideas, fail and pick myself back up. Hoping to share my joy with others, I joined Adaptive Sports, helping physically and mentally disabled children fall in love with climbing. In my Sophomore year, I joined my high school's rock climbing team. Branching outside of the gym, I tried climbing in Joshua Trees and Yosemite. Trying “Midnight Lightning”- the most famous climb in Yosemite valley- made me feel a part of something much larger than myself. It did not matter that my hands were a mosaic of calluses. Until the final of my sophomore and junior year, piano was not interrupted by my sport. I never stopped winning competitions, performing duets, or accompanying; but on these days, I had piano competitions scheduled immediately after the rock climbing finals. I did not compromise. I climbed crimps and sloppers, pushed and pulled, pinched and jumped. My fingers burned raw and yet I placed. When I sat at the piano bench, adrenaline coursing through my hands, black dress draped below my knees, and back poised, I did not compromise; I played with confidence. I played better and as beautifully as I had before my rock climbing endeavors, earning State Honors and a gold medal. My hands may be callused, but it will not hinder my elegance across the keys. My fingertips may be soft, but it will not hinder my performance on the wall. Rock climbing has taught me that I do not have to follow the stereotypes of any sport, activity, career. As I become a woman in the STEM field, I will break the molds so that I can be true to me.

My great-grandmother, Louise, was an outstanding pianist. Her fingers could make the keys sing and bring tears to anyone’s eyes. After selflessly declining an acceptance at The Juilliard School to care for her dying mother, Eli, her husband, bought her a baby-grand Steinway. Up until her multiple years of confinement in the infirmary and eventual death at forty, Louise blessed the keys of that piano. When I was four, my parents hoped to instill Louise’s love for piano in me. After five years of playing for two teachers, countless concerts, and the occasional accompaniment of a band, I was done. My fingers made a cacophony of noise that could make even the most obnoxious animal cringe. Louise–my great-grandmother's namesake piano–became a burden on my everyday routine. In a desperate attempt to revive Louise’s spirit, my parents auditioned me for the most decorated teacher in Fresno: Carol Oaks. From that day forward, I was immersed in all things piano: history of composers, scales and technique, musicianship, everything. As time went on, my resistance lessened and my love for the instrument grew. Mornings were dedicated to practice; Tuesdays, private lessons; Wednesdays once a month, group. After a year of practice, I began to enter competitions. At Piano Celebration, I was awarded countless “superior” ratings and a gold cup representing the accumulation of my achievements. In the Baroque Festival, I graduated from recital, in which I earned honors every year, to competition level where I earned two gold medals. And for my most challenging competition of the year, Certificate of Merit, I worked tirelessly on my theory, sight reading, technique, performance, and memorization skills to earn State Honors and a Senior Award. Even in non-competition settings, I aspired to make music an integral part of my life. I accompanied my school choir and played duets and quartets with my peers. As I turn to the next chapter of my life, I will make sure to never lose Louise. As she played through every bump or curve in her path, I will play through mine. The piano – my greatest interest – will always be a part of me.

Growing up with a mother, grandmother, and aunt in STEM fields, I was encouraged to pursue math and sciences. From dissecting owl pellets to fifty mile backpacking treks, outdoor rock climbing, and mountain biking endeavors, I have always been enthralled with the curisoities of nature. When I took a college Biology course and lab, my obsession with the STEM field grew tremendously. Intrigued by the zoology portion of the class, I became a volunteer at the local zoo, interacting with animals and children on a daily basis. Seeing the playful, behavioral similarities between the children and primates prompted my enrollment in an optional college Anthropology course that had an emphasis on human evolution. Discussing humans' newly radiated family tree, discoveries within DNA, and relations to modern primates presented an entirely new perspective on my previous knowledge of evolution. This course’s topic tied perfectly into my optional dual enrollment Biological Psychology (neuroscience) class. I originally enrolled because of my interest in cellular biology, previous psychology and genealogy electives, and a former biomedical class, but soon found the mysteries of these previous interests trumped. Martin Shapiro’s description of the cellular mechanics of the brain in Biopsychology enthralled me. The energy it takes to move an action potential through a neuron in order to move microscopic proteins to then endocytose into a postsynaptic neuron seems like an impossible task and yet our brain does this thousands of times every second. The balance between the known and unknown of the brain sparked my curiosity to discover its secrets. Because I was amongst the best in this course, Professor Chris Miller asked me to join his research on Clinical Disorders. I joined two projects: Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. In both projects, my partners and I screen published articles that match our criteria for data extraction. We then extract the data and statistically analyze it through Multilevel Kernel Density Analysis. This creates a map of the brain showing the hypo- and hyper-activated regions in those with clinical disorders. Over the summer, I hope to continue my research and begin a project analyzing brain activation in those with Schizophrenia. Ontop of my mother's encouragment, my Anthropology and Biological Psychology professors stressed how these are budding fields in need of curious individuals. I am excited to add to the expansion of women in S.T.E.M. with programs and research at any college I attended. I am extremely grateful for being considered for this scholarship and I know I will bring honor to all women in STEM.

From dissecting owl pellets to fifty mile backpacking treks, outdoor rock climbing, and mountain biking endeavors, I am always enthralled by the adventures nature presents me. So when I took a college Biology course and lab, I became obsessed with the mystery with which nature shrouds our knowledge. Intrigued by the zoology portion of the class, I became a volunteer at the local zoo, interacting with animals and children on a daily basis. Seeing the playful, behavioral similarities between the children and primates prompted my enrollment in an optional college Anthropology course that had an emphasis on human evolution. Discussing humans' newly radiated family tree, discoveries within DNA, and relations to modern primates presented an entirely new perspective on my previous knowledge of evolution. This course’s topic tied perfectly into my optional dual enrollment Biological Psychology (neuroscience) class. I originally enrolled because of my interest in cellular biology, previous psychology and genealogy electives, and a former biomedical class, but soon found the mysteries of these previous interests trumped. Martin Shapiro’s description of the cellular mechanics of the brain in Biopsychology enthralled me. The energy it takes to move an action potential through a neuron in order to move microscopic proteins to then endocytose into a postsynaptic neuron seems like an impossible task and yet our brain does this thousands of times every second. The balance between the known and unknown of the brain sparked my curiosity to discover its secrets. Because I was amongst the best in this course, Professor Chris Miller asked me to join his research on Clinical Disorders. I joined two projects: Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. In both projects, my partners and I screen published articles that match our criteria for data extraction. We then extract the data and statistically analyze it through Multilevel Kernel Density Analysis. This creates a map of the brain showing the hypo- and hyper-activated regions in those with clinical disorders. Over the summer, I hope to continue my research and begin a project analyzing brain activation in those with Schizophrenia. Both my Anthropology and Biological Psychology professors stressed how these are budding fields in need of curious individuals. I am excited to add to the expansion of S.T.E.M. fields with programs and research at any college I attended. I am extremely grateful for being considered for this scholarship and I know I will bring honor to Jacob Daniel Dumas’s name.