Focusing on a Brighter Future by Kaitlyn

Focusing on a Brighter Future by Kaitlyn - April 2024 Scholarship Essay

I’ve always had a genuine love for learning, but it was the conversations with my parents that helped it flourish. Growing up as the daughter of two nurses, medical conversations at the dinner table were a frequent occurrence, but I loved them because I was fascinated with how the human body works. I have many fond memories of sitting at the kitchen table, filled with anticipation for the new knowledge I was about to learn. Often after such conversations, I would just stare at my hands, marveling with a newfound appreciation for the complex processes that allowed me to wiggle my fingers. The more I learned, the more questions I had, and it was this thirst for knowledge that drew me to science at such a young age. I can still remember after I received a microscope for my birthday, how looking through that eyepiece for the first time unlocked a whole new world of possibilities for me. As I got older, I realized that while I still loved learning, I also wanted to be able to do something with that information that would make a positive impact on others.

Alongside my scientific interests, I also developed a strong passion for the arts. I grew up dancing around the living room, listening to my dad play the piano until I was old enough to reach the keys. Over the years I’ve been a part of everything from piano, dance, choir, and theater, all of which have given me so much more than just performance skills. Those experiences helped me develop skills that I’ll be able to take with me into college and beyond. They gave me the opportunities and the confidence to step up as a leader and helped me develop vital time management skills to balance my busy schedule. The artistic nature of my activities also fostered my creativity, making me more detail-oriented and giving me an investigative spirit.

Many of these activities also provided me with opportunities to give back to the community. In addition to my volunteer hours in honors societies such as Tri-M and NHS, Spotlight (a performance group at my dance studio dedicated to community outreach) has allowed me to spread joy through dance. Every year during the winter, we visit and perform at local nursing homes, and recently we’ve also been offering free performances for children in our community. After we perform and we get to interact with the residents or play with the children, seeing the joy we bring to their faces fills my heart in a way that brings me back every year. It was these experiences that made me realize that I want to do something meaningful to help others. I didn’t just want to learn about scientific concepts; I wanted to learn about issues and topics that were directly applicable and relevant to the real world, drawing me toward medical research as it fulfills my thirst for knowledge and my desire to help people.

To pursue a career in medical research, I plan to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in biology. While in college I will engage in undergraduate research, working with professors to gain invaluable experience that will prepare me for graduate school where I will continue my education in a more specialized branch of biology.

Recently, we had an alumni and current Ph.D. candidate speak to my AP Biology class about her academic journey and her current research in cancer immunology. As she was describing her research, I found myself hanging onto every word. Not only was it incredibly fascinating, but as she spoke, I could envision myself in her shoes. I could see myself in the lab, working with a team to keep exploring those questions daily and pushing further until we find answers. This is the kind of research I aspire to be a part of, where the findings could get us a step closer to better treatments or even cures for diseases that affect so many. As I’ve gotten older and watched as conditions like Alzheimer's, X-linked genetic diseases, cancer, and food allergies affect my family or myself, it boggles my mind how even with our advanced current technology, we still don’t have cures for all of these conditions. I’m determined to find answers. I want to use my love of learning to make discoveries and develop new treatments that could potentially be life-changing for all who are impacted by these conditions. Seeing the real-life applications of this groundbreaking research has further affirmed my interest in pursuing medical research, inspiring and motivating me as I take my next steps toward making my dreams a reality.