My interest in science and health developed relatively late in my life; I can still envision the exact moment that this interest in science began and my life completely changed. Sitting in my freshman biology class, I stared wide-eyed at my teacher as she introduced to me a whole realm of mysteries: genetic mutations, disease pathways, virology – and with each new topic, my interest peaked higher and higher. When we finally reached cell replication and cancer research studies, I remember sitting back and thinking: I want to change the medical world. This ambition drove me forward all throughout high school. As I learned more about the never-ending unanswered questions that researchers inquire about, I began to broaden my interests, moving into cell biology, genetics, and a variety of health inquiries. As a rising senior in high school, I participated in a joint Biogen-MIT program focusing on their approaches to Alzheimer’s disease. In this program, I networked with professionals at both organizations, gained in-field knowledge about different career pathways in the biotechnology realm, and got to conduct experiments and design an independent research project. This experience truly solidified my desire to pursue a degree in a natural science field and work in a laboratory or biotechnology setting. Since my original proclamation in my high school biology class, I have learned much about the reality of research: it is slow-moving, meticulous, and often draining. However, the possibility of advancing human health triumphs over these difficulties. Exploring the unexplored and pushing the boundaries of human discoveries excites me, and this will always be a driving force in my ambition for pursuing higher education in the scientific realm. Currently, as a freshman at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, I have been introduced to more research than I ever knew existed. This past semester I participated in a course titled Research Beyond Academia, a class where professionals from all different backgrounds discussed with us their experience in research. This course has inspired me to explore both my own scientific interests and the projects being conducted on campus. After weeks of reading about discoveries happening just a few feet from my dorm, I started noticing trends: I was most drawn to projects dealing with molecular biology, proteinopathy, and genetics. This interest has brought me to the discovery of the Axtman lab, a team that I am constantly impressed by and so happy to be a part of. In this lab, Dr. Axtman studies kinases implicated in neurodegeneration by testing chemical assays that selectively modulate proteins. This team is searching for ways to alter kinases with the hopes of improving Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and other neurodegenerative diseases through their innovative methods. As my first laboratory experience, I am excited to start contributing to the advancement of knowledge and learning from the people I one day hope to become. I love to discover: I want to learn why things work, and if there isn’t an answer, I yearn to find one. In my future studies, I hope to pursue a higher degree through a Ph.D. or PharmD program and apply this to medical science or a related field. Becoming a principal investigator and conducting my own research project is my dream – and I am very excited to experience each step in my path that will take me there.

It is difficult for me to understand the genuinely infinite knowledge that humanity has not yet discovered. In school, we are taught facts: For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Living beings will do everything in their power to attain homeostasis. An object in motion will remain in motion. However, before these facts were established, scientists spent their entire lifetimes attempting to explain the unexplainable. In schools, we are not taught the implications that these discoveries had for the world at that time; we are simply taught that this is how it is. We become comfortable with our knowledge and fail to recognize the power that these discoveries hold. I want to continue creating these discoveries. I do not want to be comfortable in my knowledge; I yearn to seek out new answers and create innovative solutions to the questions scientists have spent generations trying to solve. This fall, I am beginning my freshman year as an incoming biology major at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. I am beyond ecstatic to start this adventure and learn everything I can about the most fascinating science field of them all: biology. Biology’s vastness truly captures my complete attention. Everywhere we turn, life exists there, even if we can not see it. Without biology, humanity would not exist – nothing would exist. Biology gives me a much larger appreciation for the life that I have. Out of all of the life on Earth, I was fortunate to end up as a human, a species that makes up 0.01% of life. I am lucky enough to have this gift, so I might as well do something with it! Biology is everywhere, yet we know so little about it. Specifically, something that particularly intrigues me in this vast field is human health. The human body is extremely complex, and so are the health problems that come along with it. There are thousands of diseases that remain insufficiently researched, and people suffer because of this lack of knowledge. Although these problems will never fully stop, I want to contribute in whatever way I can to help others maintain a healthy life, free from disease and other health problems out of their control. Biology has taught me to appreciate the life that I have, and fuel my passions into helping better the lives of others. Researching new medications and treatments for diseases is something I could see myself doing my entire life. I am thankful for the discoveries that came before me, and I hope that I can contribute to this pool of knowledge and advance any health field because improving even one person's life makes it all worth it.