(UN-)WITTINGLY DECIDED Growing up in Lagos, Nigeria, I was immersed in a vibrant tapestry of cultures, imbuing a deep respect for diversity and a commitment to equity and inclusion. This foundation has shaped my journey of giving back to my community and has influenced my aspirations for the future. Moving to the suburbs was a significant transition, but it offered new opportunities to contribute meaningfully. I ventured into the only teen-run liturgical body — altar servers — at my new community church. Accountable for my choices, I learned to run projects with minimal funding, recruit and train new members, teach catechism, and liaise with the clergy. These experiences honed my leadership, project management, and community-building skills. Developing skills in leadership, project management, and community building, I was appointed as the Pioneer Liturgical MC in my parochial high school, where I facilitated liturgical celebrations, ensuring they were more inclusive for non-Catholic students. In high school, my role as Head Boy on the Student Council allowed me to address the academic disparities faced by economically disadvantaged peers. I initiated a peer-tutoring program that tailored teaching methods to accommodate different learning needs and included broader study strategies. This initiative produced the best GCE results in the school's history and fostered a supportive community among students. I also founded the Friends of Nature Club in my senior year and volunteered at an ecological NGO — Eden — during my gap year. Through these, I pioneered community well-being projects, focusing on the 6th SDG: Clean Water and Sanitation. These efforts taught me the value of addressing systemic inequities through targeted, inclusive actions. Moving to New York City for college was another significant cultural shift. Within my first year at NYU, I joined the Tandon Taskforce, a group dedicated to positively impacting the campus environment through service projects. I participated in community outreach programs to raise awareness of available resources and accommodations for students. I also volunteered at food drives and bake sales, with proceeds donated to community charities. Doing these has allowed me to give back to my college community while honing skills in event planning, marketing, and fundraising, making me more effective in driving positive change. Additionally, I became involved with the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) at NYU, working on initiatives to support Black students in engineering through academic workshops, networking events, and professional development opportunities. One of our significant projects last spring involved weekend visits to middle schools, where we assisted with STEM projects and shared our experiences being underrepresented students in engineering. This mentorship project not only helped demystify STEM careers for these students but also highlighted the importance of diversity in these Looking to the future, I am committed to continuing my journey of giving back on a larger scale, especially efforts to promote sustainability, diversity, and equity in healthcare. As a future chemical and biomolecular engineer, I plan to integrate these principles into my career by developing sustainable medical engineering solutions that address the needs of underserved communities, particularly health disparities. This dream would be embodied in my biotech company, ODIAX — "Odia" is my family name, and "X" marks the problems we’d solve.

SATURDAY MORNINGS: WITH FOURS 20. Draw the blinds and set the timer; it's another Saturday morning. For my family, the last day of each week meant reviewing, tidying, and planning—consistently as a heartbeat. But, as soon as my mum's door opened that day, I amplified the ABBA Gold album with our SONY HT-S20R subwoofer. Jumping out from behind the parlor chairs with my siblings and dad to shout "Happy Birthday," my mum was genuinely taken aback. Mum had instilled in us the value of consistency, so few things surprised her. Even then, as we swayed to the pop-disco that animated every Saturday morning of our childhood, I counted the dessert trays on the walnut-brown center table—four. 16. 4±1-year-old, on a rainy Saturday morning, I laid out the sixteen chess pieces for each player, opening the game with my older sister. Losing all eight pawns halfway to the other side, I threw a tantrum, striking her with our wooden chess board. Moving to the suburbs four years later, I realized the chess board and 'tetchy-me' were misplaced in transit. My mum, acknowledging my temper and sweet tooth, had taken a four-month baking class and taught me to channel my energy into kneading dough and practical activities. From crafting recipes to martial arts, I understood my emotional patterns, reaching the other side: once a tetchy pawn, now a noble knight. Though neither clad in shiny armor nor legendary as Sir Galahad, I enlivened student council meetings and community get-togethers with homemade treats. 12. Four hours past noon [4:00 pm], my siblings and I began our 12-minute walk to the community church. Tending the barren fields in our new suburban residence had replaced board games on Saturday mornings; for the evenings, I learned catechism or trained altar servers. Interacting with ecosystems, natural or human, I became enthralled by the intricate balance and interdependence that governed both, eager to understand the underlying (neural) processes and be part of such stories. Armed with my mum's green fingers, I moved on from fertilizing our fields with guano and preparing herbal remedies to starting an ornamental garden at our community church and an eco-club in high school. 8. Multiplying by ten [80] equals the number of senior students enrolled in my high school pioneer peer-tutoring sessions, and by a hundred [800], estimates the number of students I represented as the Head Boy on the Student Council. As these journeys progressed to a close, I matched my interests with the next step: college and career. Doing this consistently, as with my Saturday morning chores, I realized that whatever I had embarked on, my mum had inspired me to see it through to completion. However, the end appeared elusive for higher education in my home country—Nigeria. Frequent academic strikes and political tensions had rendered the system inconsistent, spanning more than four years. Even then, pursuing a neuro-engineering career was not feasible—bioengineering was barely a nascent field. 4. Snapping back to the present as I review my course schedule on this fine Saturday morning, I dare to complete Ian Fleming's quote: "Once is a chance, twice is a coincidence, thrice is a pattern" with "quarce is a factor." Regarding higher education, four is one of the pinnacles of academic excellence [GPA] I aim for, besides being the typical span of years. Armed with the advanced resources and stable environment of a U.S. education, I aspire to combat neurodegeneration—increasing life expectancy—by my fourth year at college. Upon graduation, I would continue at medical school and launch my biotech company, ODIAX—"Odia" is my family name, and "X" marks the problems we'd solve.

“JUNK-AIDING” Nestled at the left end of my staircase library is my junk aid kit: a collection of spares and paperweights that, at first, merely pacified my tinkering nature and desire to restore. With old cartons, I designed dollhouses for my younger sisters while my older cousin got the empty spray bottles for her homemade hair conditioner. But before long, the plumber needed extra O-rings, for the electrician, extra wires. I soon began to do these home repairs, having seized opportunities to learn when offering spares. For instance, I went from short-circuiting plugs to building an extension box; thankfully, there were no hazards. Unwittingly, engineering designs became a focal point of my leisure since childhood, which I described as “junk-aiding.” From broken clocks' graduated displays serving as teaching aids for my younger cousins to salvaged polymeric foams dissolved in petrol for homemade Styrofoam shoe glue, repurposing bric-a-brac nurtured my desire to restore. I imbued a sense of spatial arrangement, purposeful design, and sustainability, kindling my interest in an engineering career path. Administering junk aid foreshadowed the recycling system I set up in high school as Pioneer President of the Friends of Nature Club, where we executed the 4Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Recover. Upon graduation, I volunteered at an ecological NGO — Eden — and focused on achieving our goals with an engineering perspective. For example, I learned web development to design the organization's website, addressing its publicity needs. Desiring to remain part of such stories, I was excited by NYU Tandon's sustainable engineering initiative, especially its AMRAd approach to avoiding, mitigating, and remediating emissions while adapting to environmental challenges. In my freshman Fall EG-1001: Engineering and Design Forum class, I explored user interface designs as the Chief Marketing & Research Officer for WI-SUB-SAFE. Our two-person team developed a laser-cut pre-totype device that addresses insecurity and limited network connectivity when transiting via NYC subways. Recently, in the Spring EG-1004: Introduction to Engineering and Design class, I expanded my technical and professional expertise as the Chief Operations & Finance Officer for SOS Inc. My team’s prototype of a ‘hilo-therapeutic’ biomedical wearable addressing mild to moderate ankle-related injuries got shortlisted for the “Top 6” finalists of 29 teams in the inaugural engineering showcase. Although I have not participated in the co-op engineering programs at NYU, I have actively sought research and other opportunities for practical experience. Within the finger sub-team of the Flexible AI-enabled Mechatronics Systems (FAMS) Lab, I gained my first engineering research experience, specifically in fabricating sustainable bio-inspired robots. Remodeling our soft-robot’s fingers using the phalangeal structure of mammalian hands, incorporating biomimicry, I helped our team achieve 2nd Place at the 2024 Tandon Research Excellence Exhibit. Though still interested in a career in medicine, my fascination with systems and processes led me to see engineering not just as a career path but as a way to solve real-world problems and improve lives. At thirteen, I stumbled on a WIRED article about Irish neurosurgeon Phil Kennedy, who, in an attempt to induce synthetic communication in ALS patients, hacked his brain and almost lost his mind. Despite the nearly tragic ending, I remained enthralled by the possibility of fusing a medical career with engineering. My experience with FAMS Lab has taught me to consider the human body as a machine, and I am excited to apply engineering principles in my medical career. And while I may yet be neither an engineer nor a physician, I am a junk aider.

(UN-)WITTINGLY DECIDED Growing up in Lagos, Nigeria, the commercial hub of my country, rich in diverse cultures and traditions, I learned to appreciate diversity, and hailing from one of the minority tribes, I desired equity and inclusion. When my family moved to the suburbs, I ventured into the only teen-run liturgical body — altar servers — in our new community church. Accountable for my decision, I learned to run projects with little or no funding, recruit and train new members, teach catechism, and liaise with the clergy. Developing skills in leadership, project management, and community building, I was appointed as the Pioneer Liturgical MC in my parochial high school, where I facilitated liturgical celebrations to make them more inclusive for non-Catholic students. On the student council, I noticed that many of my peers from economically disadvantaged backgrounds struggled academically due to a lack of resources. Determined to bridge this gap, I initiated a peer tutoring program covering everything from specific concepts to study strategies like retrospective timetabling. To ensure inclusivity, our student volunteers' team tailored the teaching to accommodate different learning needs, emphasizing one-on-one sessions. This initiative led to the best GCE results in the school’s history and fostered a sense of community and mutual support among students. Moving to New York City for college was a significant cultural shift, but it also provided me with new opportunities to promote diversity and inclusion. Within my first year, I joined the Tandon Taskforce, focusing on positively impacting the campus environment through service projects. I participated in community outreach programs, creating awareness of available resources and student accommodations, and volunteered at food drives and bake sales, with the proceeds donated to community charities. Doing these has allowed me to give back to my college community while honing skills in event planning, marketing, and fundraising, making me more effective in driving positive change. Additionally, I became involved with the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) at NYU, working on initiatives to support Black students in engineering through academic workshops, networking events, and professional development opportunities. One of our significant projects last spring involved weekend visits to middle schools, where we assisted with STEM projects and shared our experiences being underrepresented students in engineering. This mentorship project not only helped demystify STEM careers for these students but also highlighted the importance of diversity in these fields. As I continue my journey, I aim to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in all my endeavors. I have learned the value of empathy and active listening in addressing the challenges faced by people from diverse backgrounds. I hope to apply these principles in my engineering career, developing innovative solutions tailored to the needs of diverse communities and contributing to a world where everyone can thrive, regardless of background or identity.

28th November, 2033 Dear 2023 Osemudiame, Yesterday, I received my 4th patent on nano-biopolymers designed to optimize genomes, negating hereditary neurological disorders from the embryo. Yes! Using natural polymers turned out fine, as did your other breakthroughs in sustainable nano-neuro-medicine: you "increased life expectancy in Nigeria!" At present, you are probably seeking silver linings in the cloud of financial burdens on your family of eight (8). How will you survive through college now that Dad’s lost his job and the exchange rate has become more unfavorable? You may have begun underestimating yourself, which, though seemingly humble, is entirely unnecessary as soon, you will win the Hyacinth Malcolm Memorial Scholarship. Indeed, you are relatively inert, but like Argon, when put in an incandescent bulb, you sustain a positive ambiance, seeking similarities among differences. Upon stumbling on a WIRED article on Irish neurosurgeon Phil Kennedy, who — in an attempt to induce synthetic communication in ALS patients — hacked his brain and almost lost his mind, [y]our interest in neuro-engineering was catalyzed. I still laugh at the memory of dragging [y]our thirteen-year-old self out of bed the following day — having stayed up late — enthralled by the possibility of fusing Engineering with Medicine. Debating the ethical concerns with [y]our eighth-grade class, you discovered somewhat the focal point of [y]our diverging interests — restoration. From broken clocks' graduated displays serving as teaching aids on telling time for [y]our younger siblings and salvaged polymeric foams from appliances' packaging dissolved in petrol for homemade styrofoam shoe glue to boiling homegrown acalypha wilkesiana for [y]our cousin's dermatitis and nursing ailing Marcus with fresh guinea corn soaked in oral rehydration salts, [y]our "restorative" instincts spurred [y]our "junk aid" and "first aid" escapades. Perhaps doing these foreshadowed the recycling system you set up in high school as the Co-founder and Pioneer President of the Friends of Nature Club. Concurrently, you also started ornamental gardens in your community church as you desired to learn from nature's balancing acts: the nuances of ecosystems. You studied junior year Geography during the summer holiday and scored perfectly in the Geography GCSE the following spring. These, you at first considered divergence from your educational goals, but ultimately, 'earthcare' became pivotal in your career. Privileged to continue studying at NYU through the Hyacinth Malcolm Memorial Scholarship, you embraced ethical approaches and infused sustainable engineering initiatives in reverse engineering proteomes and genomes to combat Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and other related neurodegenerative diseases. You kept your promise to [y]our grand-uncle who was afflicted with Parkinson's throughout the lifetime you shared with him. There are many more breakthroughs you have yet to make, and you can't do them if you do not continue schooling. Now is the time to keep holding on and tinkering with your junk-aid kit in your cabin as you sail these seas of financial burdens. With support from the Hyacinth Malcolm Memorial Scholarship, you pulled through your yet most challenging phase — you did not submit that withdrawal request. Seeking similarities among differences, you have and will get by as a junk optimizer: first as a Biomedical Engineer, now as a Geriatric Neurosurgeon. You won't believe the ethical possibilities of your maverick neuro-engineering ideas in the future — yet many incandescent light bulbs are awaiting you. Keep holding on! Sincerely, 2033 Osemudiame.

"CHECK THE DICTIONARY" Staring at me unapologetically while I doodled with my little orange pencil in my notebook, my father reiterated, "Check the dictionary." The clock chimed two hours to midnight, yet all attempts for him to define the dozen-and-one words in my fourth-grade vocabulary assignment proved futile. Dad believed they were mere combinations of alphabets, so I needed to roll up my sleeves. Now and then, when Dad insisted that my siblings and I peruse the dictionary for such answers, we always found them in there. I became accustomed and then looked forward to playing Scrabble on Saturday mornings and receiving encyclopedias and puzzles, not video games, as presents. Indifferently, then eagerly perusing these, I gradually understood that no solution was elusive. There is always an answer. But how do I find it? Growing up with my paternal family of philosophers, I learned to seek the rationale behind concepts. Playing ball games demanded spatial awareness and proprioception; drawing, my favorite pastime, insisted on continuing a dot across a blank paper. To even exist within my comfort zone, I desired to understand the underlying principles, as everything seemed to have one — its algorithm. If every seemingly new idea were a slight modification or yet-predictable application of a basic concept, wouldn't every challenge be surmountable once I grasped the algorithm? Was I running on an algorithm? Bird-watching or Rubix-cubing, I considered such possibilities, taking my brain on a wild joyride while appreciating [cyclical] problem-solving patterns. Developing an interest in neural processes, I stumbled upon a WIRED article on Irish neurosurgeon Phil Kennedy, who — in an attempt to induce synthetic communication in ALS patients — hacked his brain and almost lost his mind. Enthralled by the possibility of fusing a career in medicine with engineering, I recall dragging my thirteen-year-old self out of bed the following day, having stayed up late, eager to debate the ethical concerns with my eighth-grade class. Leading such conversations in my high school community catalyzed my interest in neuro-engineering. Still, as this field is yet nascent in my home country — Nigeria — I feared these ideas would only go as far as insightful break-time conversations, and once again, seeking my father's counsel to surmount this, I learned to "step back." I embraced 'earthcare,' starting with dissolving non-biodegradable polymeric foams (salvaged from appliances' packaging) in petrol to produce homemade styrofoam glue for leather shoes and boiling homegrown 'acalypha wilkesiana' as an herbal remedy for my younger cousin's dermatitis then moving on to synchronously pioneering an ornamental garden in my community church and the Friends of Nature Club in high school. Opening myself to the joys of ambiguity, I revitalized my curiosity through the nuances of ecosystems [nature's balancing act] and insightful interactions in the communities I created. By stepping back, I gained two significant insights. The first was the focal point of my diverging interests — restoration. My "restorative" instincts had kicked in to combat challenges in my family and communities and now, ultimately influence my post-graduate plans — designing sustainable nano-biopolymers to reduce amyloid build-up accounting for most neurodegenerative diseases, ultimately increasing life expectancy, perhaps right from the embryo. The second was that I could get closer to these dreams by stepping farther from my comfort zone, perhaps as far as 30.57˚N and 92.33˚W from my home country — the United States. Through higher education in the United States, I aim to continue my quest in its diverse and innovative communities, where each mild gesture or grand measure refines the quality of knowledge and broadens my horizon, tapering my fears.

(UN-)WITTINGLY DECIDED Unfolding my 60x35cm desk calendar, an annual gift from my former parish, fourteen-year-old me rescheduled each week to account for the extra 14km I now traveled to church. Fortunately, when my family relocated to the suburbs, I did not change schools. However, I remained devoted to my former parish, where I learned daily prayers and public speaking until my father, with the intolerable traffic, encouraged me to acclimatize. Open-minded, I enrolled in catechism classes and unwittingly volunteered as an altar server. I was a chorister in our previous parish and a lay reader at school, yet, failing to strike a balance between adventure and caution, I ventured into the only liturgical body run by teenagers — we were almost always at sixes and sevens. Accountable for my choices, I learned to run projects with little or no funding, train new members, teach catechism, and liaise with the clergy, unwittingly foreshadowing my pioneering Liturgical MC activities in my high school community two years later. As these filled up my desk calendar, I explored innovative modes of enlivening my community — the essence of community engagement to me. Harnessing my flair for baking and gardening, I found myself enlivening Altar Servers' meetings with homemade pastries and spreading manure on the flower beds of our pioneering ornamental garden in late 2021. Grandma shops for flowers, Mum originates floral designs for the sanctuary, while my siblings and I tend the garden — together, three generations adorn the church premises. Spending the eve of festivities designing floral patterns for the sanctuary, I could unwittingly swap a rose for a peony, aiming for a balanced design while developing a more profound respect for nature and her ability to maintain balance. Inspired to promote 'Earthcare,' I co-founded my high school's Friends of Nature Club. Here, we set up a recycling system by incorporating 'Laudato Si' initiatives, focal points of a sustainable communal lifestyle. On a recent visit to my alma mater, I helped design a memorial wreath for the convent adjacent to my high school, faithfully applying Mum's techniques. Equitably contributing to my new community as I did in the former, I serve at daily masses, grow exotic flowers, and bake for birthdays. There's still much to do, but I live by Maurice Chevalier's words: "If you wait for the perfect moment when all is safe and assured, it may never arrive..." 'De novo,' my triangle life — home, school, church — is whole.