English Writer 13 | - Freelance Writer
Feb 10, 2018 | #1
It started, as many things do - the curiosity of a child fed and nurtured by his indulgent father. As a biological scientist, my father's lab had much to offer his wide-eyed son. Beakers and tubes tinkled when touched, amidst the warnings to keep little hands to themselves. Safety goggles were eagerly put on, as were the smallest sized lab coats that would swim on me. Why does water change at different temperatures? How does the brain work? What do all these complicated formulas do? Looking back, those early days were integral to shaping my interest for the sciences. Without even realizing, the basics of chemistry and biology were learnt happily, while the safety and operating procedures in the lab were second nature by the time I started elementary school.
Interest gave way to passion in elementary, and I found myself begging to be allowed to attend chemistry camps and young scientist workshops. Math now fascinated me as I spent many a disbelieving hour wondering how anything and everything could be equated with a calculation and dispersed into numbers. Weekends were spent preparing for math competitions such as the ASCI (Association of Christian Schools) Math Competition I participated in during 8th grade, and research documentaries became my entertainment of choice. I am proud today to say that on my wall, was a blown up poster of the periodic table, despite the new teenager in me lamenting social suicide. By high school, this self study paid off when I was allowed as a freshman, to enter the honors algebra 2 with trigonometry class, with the junior high class.
The day all this learning became real to me; when I made the conscious decision to channel my efforts into wanting to study the brain, was the day when my grandma had a stroke. After that incident, it occurred to me that nothing was going to help her get better. This was an alien concept, of sorts. I knew about strokes from my readings, of course, but surely people heal eventually? Sadly, my final memories of her are tinged with a feeling of helpless desperation. Being unable to do anything but watch as simple everyday actions such as feeding herself, eating, getting changed, and even walking, became painful chores. When she died, I remember wishing I was older, smarter, and full of answers. She would have told me to stop wishing, and start doing. So I did.
Today, my own research is concentrated in studying how the brain functions in stroke patients. To gain experience in this field, I spent a year as a volunteer in a nursing home where I could help, interact with, and observe the elderly - some of whom had suffered from stroke. I found that constant, and regular routines helped bring back some movement and semblance of muscle memory. Full of questions, I sought out and watched a documentary on how living brain cells might be rewired to work for dead brain cells through non-surgical means such as routines like physical therapy. Gene therapy in animal trials also showed promise in replacing dead brain cells. From my time in the home, I noticed how some of the elderly were abandoned by their families, and when incapacitated with stroke, would lack any quality of life on their own like this. My mission to advance the human condition was clear. I want to eventually study neuroscience and understand how the brain can be altered in stroke patients to give them back independence, empowerment, and quality of life.
Today, in applying to the Boston Math and Science Academy high school. I truly believe this is a first step in a lifelong dream. With the correct tools and nurturing faculty, I hope one day I will be able to open up new areas to develop and progress in as regards the neurology of stroke patients.
Thank You,
Student
Interest gave way to passion in elementary, and I found myself begging to be allowed to attend chemistry camps and young scientist workshops. Math now fascinated me as I spent many a disbelieving hour wondering how anything and everything could be equated with a calculation and dispersed into numbers. Weekends were spent preparing for math competitions such as the ASCI (Association of Christian Schools) Math Competition I participated in during 8th grade, and research documentaries became my entertainment of choice. I am proud today to say that on my wall, was a blown up poster of the periodic table, despite the new teenager in me lamenting social suicide. By high school, this self study paid off when I was allowed as a freshman, to enter the honors algebra 2 with trigonometry class, with the junior high class.The day all this learning became real to me; when I made the conscious decision to channel my efforts into wanting to study the brain, was the day when my grandma had a stroke. After that incident, it occurred to me that nothing was going to help her get better. This was an alien concept, of sorts. I knew about strokes from my readings, of course, but surely people heal eventually? Sadly, my final memories of her are tinged with a feeling of helpless desperation. Being unable to do anything but watch as simple everyday actions such as feeding herself, eating, getting changed, and even walking, became painful chores. When she died, I remember wishing I was older, smarter, and full of answers. She would have told me to stop wishing, and start doing. So I did.
Today, my own research is concentrated in studying how the brain functions in stroke patients. To gain experience in this field, I spent a year as a volunteer in a nursing home where I could help, interact with, and observe the elderly - some of whom had suffered from stroke. I found that constant, and regular routines helped bring back some movement and semblance of muscle memory. Full of questions, I sought out and watched a documentary on how living brain cells might be rewired to work for dead brain cells through non-surgical means such as routines like physical therapy. Gene therapy in animal trials also showed promise in replacing dead brain cells. From my time in the home, I noticed how some of the elderly were abandoned by their families, and when incapacitated with stroke, would lack any quality of life on their own like this. My mission to advance the human condition was clear. I want to eventually study neuroscience and understand how the brain can be altered in stroke patients to give them back independence, empowerment, and quality of life.
Today, in applying to the Boston Math and Science Academy high school. I truly believe this is a first step in a lifelong dream. With the correct tools and nurturing faculty, I hope one day I will be able to open up new areas to develop and progress in as regards the neurology of stroke patients.
Thank You,
Student