Year in Review

[ “Year in Review”  is where you should reflect on the past year and show how you have evolved as a person and as a student.  You may want to focus on your growth in a particular area (as a leader, scholar, researcher, etc.) or you may want to talk about your overall experience over the past year.  For more information, go to: http://honors-scholars.osu.edu/e-portfolio. Delete these instructions and add your own post.]

G.O.A.L.S.

Beliefs don’t make a better person; actions do. This is a statement that I hold dear to myself and I believe it pertains to the purpose of the humanitarian engineering scholars. As a young inquirer myself, engaging in research endeavors has been a top ambition of mine. I have been part of the rigorous Science Research course at my high school since 9th grade. With this course, I was inspired to conduct my own research in tissue engineering, specifically on the repair/regrowth of cartilage using nanocomposite scaffolds. Being part of humanitarian engineering scholars allows me to expand my knowledge on the research process through creative inquiry projects with top researchers who work with me towards a similar goal to better the world. Since my experiences in the lab and in school, researching and analysis has become a passion of mine and I intend on increasing my knowledge of the field of research as it pertains to my interests in engineering.

I am also interested in the leadership, as I feel that I have excessive experience in this field. As the founder and president of my own club and as a babysitter of two young children for 3 years, I feel that my range in leadership is broad, which will be helpful in the classroom, the community, co-curricular activities, and my future roles in society. I hope to apply this talent and opportunity to my interest in research by being the head of a lab. The opportunities that the scholars provides will endow the proper education and experience for my future ventures.

Service engagement also interests me immensely because of my experience as the founder and president of the Women Warriors Club at my high school. This club focuses on the inequality of women to men and helping underprivileged women around the world. Thus, partaking in service opportunities provided by scholars will allow me to learn tremendously about and tackle more social issues prevalent in society. We may make a living on what we get, but we make a life on what we give. Thus, I believe the prospects that the scholars program has to offer me will benefit me not only in my future career, but also my life as a whole- changing me for the better from the inside out.

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

stack-of-paper

Research papers- Research is something that I never thought I would be interested in but am now pursuing as a career. It’s my favorite thing about college so far, even if the stack of papers on my desk might be intimidating. I joined a class called Science Research in high school thinking it would look good when I applied for college, but I didn’t know that this 4 year commitment would be my most defining high school experience. By working in a biomedical/material science engineering lab for two summers, I knew what I wanted to do in the future. I knew that this was the place for me, so when college started, I immediately tried to immerse myself in the research again. It’s not an easy process; for every lab I interviewed for, I read up on past research, and for the labs that you are chosen for, you are expected to read stacks of papers so that you know the goals and background for the research being conducted. It seems like busy work, but it is necessary to be a functional member of the research team. My stack of papers might be a little scary but everyday it’s a reminder of how far I’ve come as well as a reminder of where I want to go.

figure skating

Figure skates- Figure skating is something I started when I was younger but really was a test of endurance and strength for me in high school. I first begged my parents to let me try figure skating when I was 8 years old. By the time I was 10, I was signed under US Figure Skating, but developed an idiopathic disease later that year. Basically, I was not allowed to continue with skating as it was a threat to my health. Over the next 5 years, I kept trying to get back into skating, but it never lasted long until I got sick again. While my health has been better in the past 3 years, getting back into skating was hard while in high school and working. Regardless, I made it a point to go skating during breaks and in the summer. I’ve had the skates I skate in now since I was in 6th grade; they are two sizes too small but are so broken in that I refuse to break in a new pair. As smelly, beaten up, and ratty as they are, every time I lace up my skates I remember how hard I worked to be as good as I used to be and I try to channel that motivation to become strong again.

About Me

I was born in New York, just outside of the city. I’m studying to be a biomedical engineer on a pre-med track and am in HES. I want to be a pediatric oncologist one day to help children with cancer. When I was a kid I spent a lot of time in the oncology ward, which made me want to help the kids who were worse off than I was. I used to tutor and babysit a lot, which also fostered my love for little children but I also love medicine and building things, hence my major. I love exploring new places and eating new food. My motto is to try everything at least once, so I’m always one to go on an adventure!

Top Five Strengths

Focus

Futuristic

Achiever

Learner

Communication