To get started on the discussion of advancing the field of science, we shall first connect the concept of insulating privacy to the studies of science. According to a wired article in 2007, DNA scientist James Watson was the first ever to have his entire genome sequenced (which includes > 5 billion base pairs) except one spot. This spot was on his arm of chromosome 19 where a rare gene exists; APOE. Changes in APOE increase the chances of developing Alzheimer’s Disease (6 million cases in US), and James wanted to keep that information private. But unfortunately, he couldn’t keep it away from publicity. Researches could easily figure out the APOE variant by looking at the surrounding DNA. Instantly, they were able to sequence the remaining base pairs on that gene. This is the predicament of medicine: It demands us to surrender some of our privacy in service of ‘the greater scientific good’. To annihilate the imperil of exposing someone based on their DNA records, you will have to despoil it of the same identifying details that makes it scientifically convenient. As of the latest news, computer scientists are operating toward another route or alternative solution. Consequently, the moral we learn here is to ‘protect genetic privacy, we encrypt our DNA’.
Similarly, this is what has driven me to enter the field of science. DNA, a molecule made up of several nucleotides with a sugar, phosphate, and a base group, is much more than its name. When we think of the word DNA, several conclusions pop up: It is the alphabet of life, our own fingerprint, what we represent, the genetic material, represents the past and so on. But, there is so much more than what we think. DNA has a purpose to it, it has a job that needs to be completed, it has several functions inside the human body, it can detect the past, present, and the future and we can go on and on. Therefore, I chose Biochemistry major for my bachelor’s degree because it compiles Biology and Chemistry together in one view. Not only you get to see and observe the study of living organisms, but also the chemistry behind it. You get to study the matter/molecule in a living organism and how it interacts.
For all my life, I had to work twice as hard for half the recognition and with a B.S in Biochemistry degree, I like to apply to medical school. Another reason I chose Biochemistry is because there is a higher rate of acceptance for Biochemistry majors. It’s a long process and numerous obstacles will come on my way, but I am ready to overcome those obstacles. 10 years from now, I’d see myself becoming either a biochemist, doctor, or scientist. After college is four years of medical school with residency. With this degree, I’d like to develop new medicines to cure diseases that are incurable, especially HIV. It’s been decades and we still don’t have a cure for HIV. I’d like to work on this project someday and establish a drug that can block the CCR5 and CD4 receptors which causes the infection of a cell when HIV binds to it. To conclude, I would like to create something that my name would be remembered forever.
Time management/debt are the biggest hurdles for students infiltrating to the field of medicine. After being a doctor or a scientist, there is an extreme debt to be payed-off which is an issue and time management can result in no sleep. This may be one of the reasons why the field of medicine is probably the toughest to get through. I am very fortunate to be the first one in my family going to college as well as starting college when I will still be 16. Most high school seniors start college at the age of 18 but I was lucky enough to have a chance to skip a grade in my foreign country.
Everyone is a worthy recipient for this scholarship, but the courage to grow represents only me. With blossoms of smoldering waves, I cherish to seek the brightest future possible. Being raised in an impoverished village of India was an interesting experience though, it’s nothing like here. My boarding school experience in India was painful but interesting. But, I won’t complain about my credentials that will bluster away the rivalry. Although, I have done several extracurricular activities, volunteer work, raising money for patients in the LLS society and much more. I feel all of this makes me a worthy recipient for this scholarship as I got the courage to keep exploring and not stepping back. This has truly developed me as a lusty work ethic, the ability to be able to prioritize, and superintend the time. We’re making progress, slowly but surely.
I deserve this scholarship because my accomplishments, perseverance, and hard work to my area of study has gotten me to reach new heights and will continue in the upcoming years. I now enter the next chapter in my life. New obstacles will arise but if I am not ready now, I am not sure if I ever will be. It’s a tough road ahead to say the least, but you just got to put your mind into it and hope that things go your way. Now, I enter the next chapter in my life. Needing financial assistance is a hardship. You can imagine only my dad working in my family and how hard he’s trying to put food on the table and he is still sending me to a private university. It’s hard to afford the cost of tuition and other expenses. But, that’s what I am here for.
