Year in Review

Global Awareness:

At this point in my undergraduate studies, I have enriched my global awareness through diverse coursework. For instance, in the spring semester of 2017, I took History 3704 , which explored HIV’s history as a worldwide epidemic. This course made me consider how international reactions to this virus established the model of global medicine so heavily. This course made me open my eyes to the world around me and realize how people’s interactions shape our society, whether it be on an interpersonal or an international level. Additionally, as a Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies minor, I have taken courses that shift my view of society into one that is more understanding, thoughtful, and inclusive. With classes such as Women’s Health (WGSST 2325), Gender, Sexuality, and Race in Popular Culture (WGSST 2230), and Gender, Sexuality, and Power (WGSST 1110), I have developed an intersectional perspective that strengthens my feminism and activism as well as deepens my appreciation for the diversity of people. Going forward, I will continue to take classes that expand my global awareness. Next semester, I will be taking Health Disparities in Social Context (Sociology 5629) and Intersections: Approaches to Race, Gender, Class, and Sexuality (WGSST 4921), which will continue to help my global awareness grow. Furthermore, I am hoping that I will be able to go on a study/service abroad trip to Tanzania that accompanies History 3704 and will enable me to learn about global medicine even more. This trip would not only benefit me as a hopefully medical school student, but also as a citizen because it will introduce me to new cultures and open my mind to new experiences.

 

Original Inquiry:

Creating and formulating one’s own ideas is applicable throughout one’s whole life. In college, I generated original inquiry so far in several different ways. Through coursework, I have been able to lead a couple projects with peers on focused topics. For example, in Biology 1114H, I explored how endophytes in grass were affected by varying soil pHs. Moreover, in Chemistry 1920H, I investigated the semiconductive properties of halide perovskites and used them to attempt to create the most effective solar cells at the cheapest price point.  These guided research projects fostered a love for research in me. As a result, after taking both of these classes in the spring semester of 2017, I applied for and secured a volunteer researcher position at the Yoder Lab at OSU. In this position, I assist more experienced researchers in projects focused on retroviral integration, especially with the HIV virus. After working for several months in this lab, I obtained an Undergraduate Researcher Apprentice Program grant to stay at OSU to continue to research during the summer of 2018. This experience will be extremely special because the Yoder Lab is allowing me to have my own project exploring how drug resistance mutations in HIV integrase affect its ability to integrate when in the presence of antiretroviral drugs. I am dedicated to this topic because HIV is a huge issue in the LGBTQ+ community. From this experience, I hope to be able to present my findings and continue to work in the Yoder Lab for the rest of my undergraduate career. Overall, as a student who wants to continue onto medical school, these research opportunities have prepared me for a future in medicine by honing my problem solving skills and laboratory technique.

 

Academic Enrichment:

From a very young age, I was obsessed with school and learning. This trait lives today as I strive to challenge myself and still maintain academic excellence throughout college. I have kept myself academically enriched by making sure my course load is diverse and intellectually stimulating. For instance, as a Biochemistry major, I have taken a more difficult courses such as Honors General Chemistry 1 and 2, Honors Organic Chemistry 1 and 2, and Honors Physics 1 and 2. As I continue to take upper-level biochemistry courses that are pertinent to my major, I am also choosing courses that have a humanities focus, such as upper-level sociology and WGSST classes. I plan on continuing to take music classes in addition to these sociology and philosophy courses to round out my education. Overall, the contrast in my major and minor demonstrate my academic enrichment. Since I want to minor in Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies, I will be taking plenty of engaging courses that go beyond the simple requirements for my major. I am very excited to learn about diverse topics through these classes because they will make me a better doctor in the future. Ultimately, my academic excellence can be specifically seen in my current cumulative GPA of 3.981. In all, by becoming academically enriched, I can pursue excellence in and out of the classroom.

 

Leadership Development:

Involvement outside of the classroom is necessary to balance academic pursuits. Over time, this involvement can turn into opportunities to develop one’s leadership skills that help in one’s career. One leadership position that I have earned is being the Tenor 2 section leader in Men’s Glee Club for the 2017-18 school year. Through this, I have been able to work with students on improving their musicianship. Additionally, I assist with helping rehearsals run smoothly by taking attendance and running sectionals if our conductor, Dr. Ward, requests. I plan on campaigning for the position of Vice President of Musicianship for this upcoming 2018-2019 school year. With this step up in leadership, I will be able to do what I love more–helping others succeed–and further grow in being a leader. Another leadership opportunity that I will soon be fulfilling is being able to direct my own project in the Yoder research lab. This experience relates more closely to my future career in the medical field and is thus valuable for building my confidence. As I gain more experience through my co-curricular activities, I can obtain more leadership experience that will be useful in my career.

 

Service Engagement:

By servicing the community, students can build on their educational experiences and become a more well-rounded person. One example of service that I currently do is through Men’s Glee Club. Often, we serve the community by singing at various events. For instance, I sang with MGC at the James Cancer Hospital for veterans on Veterans’ Day–a great way to benefit the community. Additionally, I would like to become involved with volunteer service in the medical field. For example, since I am staying in Columbus over the summer of 2018, I hope to volunteer at Equitas Health. Equitas would be a great place for me to volunteer at because it greatly benefits the LGBTQ+ community. Moreover, it focuses on issues that I am passionate about such as HIV, which closely relates to my research. Not only will these experiences help me gain experience in the medical field, but they will also help me grow as an engaged citizen. Overall, since helping people is what I value most, I am truly excited to help my community in any way that I can.

 

G.O.A.L.S.

Global Awareness: Learning about the world around us is necessary to become a well-rounded person. To expand my global awareness, I plan on taking several measures. First, I would like to take courses that have a worldwide scope. For instance, classes such as the History of HIV in Africa, Health Disparities in Social Context, and Cultures of Medicine will help me to broaden my knowledge of the world in a topic that interests me. In addition, I will be minoring in Medical Humanities and Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies, which are heavily based in social issues. These academic focuses will add to my global awareness. Ultimately, after taking some of these classes, I would like to apply my knowledge by studying or volunteering abroad. Altogether, by cultivating a better sense of the world around me, I will be more open to diverse ideas and opinions, which is why global awareness is so important.

Original Inquiry: Creating and formulating one’s own ideas is applicable throughout one’s whole life. I would like to create original inquiry in college through several different ways. One example of original inquiry is research. As a student who wants to continue onto medical school, doing research in the medical field could not only boost my knowledge for a future in medicine, but also find new knowledge that enriches collective knowledge. I would like to assist in current research projects on HIV and how it affects the LGBTQ+ community. Once I have experience in researching with top researchers on campus, I can apply my knowledge to create research projects of my own. I would like to take an elective biochemistry research class as an upperclassman to continue my previous research. Overall, with original inquiry, one must be creative and curious, which are traits that drive people to success.

Academic Enrichment: Being challenged and still maintaining excellence is a character trait that all should strive to have. Thus, I plan on making sure I have a stimulating course load throughout my college years. I plan on taking courses that are diverse and truly enrich all sides of my knowledge. For instance, I look forward to taking upper-level biochemistry courses that are pertinent to my major, but I would also like to take courses that have a humanities focus. Thus, I will continue to take music classes as well as sociology and philosophy courses to round out my education. My minors will also demonstrate my academic enrichment. Since I want to minor in Medical Humanities and Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies, I will be taking plenty of engaging courses that go beyond the simple requirements for my major. I am very excited to learn about diverse topics through these classes because they will make me a better doctor in the future. In all, by becoming academically enriched, I can pursue excellence in and out of the classroom.

Leadership Development: Involvement outside of the classroom is necessary to balance academic pursuits. Over time, this involvement can turn into opportunities to demonstrate leadership skills which can help in one’s career. For me, I am heavily involved in Men’s Glee Club so far. Eventually, I would love to attend committee meetings for the club so that I can start to explore leadership within the organization. Additionally, as I become more involved with research in the medical field, I can demonstrate leadership through directing my own projects. Lastly, I would like to gain leadership through future internship opportunities at medical centers. As I gain more experience through my co-curricular activities, I can obtain more leadership experience that will be useful in my career.

Service Engagement: By servicing the community, students can build on their educational experiences and become a more well-rounded person. For me, I have several service opportunities that I am or hope to be involved with in the future. One example of service that I currently do is through Men’s Glee Club. Often, we serve the community by singing at various events. For instance, singing at the James Cancer Hospital for veterans on Veterans’ Day was a greatly way to benefit the community. Additionally, I would like to become involved with volunteer service in the medical field. For example, by volunteering at hospitals or at free clinics, I give back to the community. Also, I can gain experience in the medical field, which is beneficial in my pursuit to become a doctor. Overall, since helping people is what I value most, I am truly excited to help my community in any way that I can.

Career

[“Career” is where you can collect information about your experiences and skills that will apply to your future career.  Like your resume, this is information that will evolve over time and should be continually updated.   For more information, go to: http://honors-scholars.osu.edu/e-portfolio. Delete these instructions and add your own post.]

Artifacts

[Artifacts are the items you consider to be representative of your academic interests and achievements. For each entry, include both an artifact and a detailed annotation.  An annotation is a reflective description of the artifact that attempts to communicate its significance.  For more information, go to: http://honors-scholars.osu.edu/e-portfolio. Delete these instructions and add your own post.]

About Me

My name is Parker Kronen, and I am a first-year Honors student at The Ohio State University. I am studying biochemistry and pre-medicine, and I hope to continue my studies in medical school after my undergraduate years. I grew up in northeast Ohio in a town called Hudson. Throughout my schooling before college, I discovered that I really value helping other people. This belief is what drives me to want to become a doctor. I hope that during college and in my future job, I am able to explore this value in many different ways.