Year in Review

Reflecting on this past year, I am proud of how I have grown as a professional and as a student. However, I know there is still much I need to accomplish during the rest of my time at OSU in order to achieve my goals, as outlined in this post.

What have you done so far to develop your Global Awareness? How do you plan to continue to work toward this goal? (For example, consider course work, study abroad, involvement in cultural organizations or activities, etc.)

Developing my Global Awareness has been an important part of my time at OSU. I enjoy learning about different cultures, and this year I have made efforts to take advantage of events offered at OSU that enhance my exposure to global diversity. For example, this year I attended the Korean Culture Show and Buckeye Mela (a South Asian dance competition), which were both enriching experiences that exposed me to the different styles of music across different cultures. Additionally, I have developed my global awareness through my coursework, especially my classes for my Spanish minor and Classics 1101H, which taught me about ancient Greek and Roman literature, as well as some modern Greek literature. I plan to continue developing my global awareness through the classes I will take in the future for my Spanish minor, which will help me to learn more about the language and culture of Spain and Spanish-speaking countries. I also am hoping to study abroad next summer in Spain to further my education and immersion in the culture and language.

What experiences have you had so far that have helped you to understand the research or creative process? How do you plan to continue to work toward this goal? (For example, consider research, creative productions or performances, advanced course work, etc.)

Last summer, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to participate in research in Dr. Hund’s biomedical research lab in the Davis Heart and Lung Institute at the Wexner Medical Center. I was able to learn about the research process from the graduate students and post-docs conducting research in that lab. I was able to see the logical processes by which a research question is chosen, and what strategies are used to select the ways of testing the research hypothesis. I also have had exposure to the creative process from my freshman year, which I spent as an engineering student. The fundamentals of engineering classes challenged me to think creatively to work with a group to develop our own codes and games in MATLAB and to develop our own design for an AEV (a small motor vehicle controlled via our own Arduino code). Though I did not decide to stay in engineering, I am grateful for what I learned in my time as an engineering student. In the future, I plan to continue working toward understanding the research and creative process by resuming work in Dr. Hund’s lab starting this summer. I also plan to join University Chorus, an a cappella group, next fall.

How does your Honors Contract demonstrate a commitment to the goal of Academic Enrichment? How does your planned curriculum relate to your future aspirations? (Consider, for example, the following questions: Why did you choose the major(s) (and minor(s), if any) you chose? Why did you select the GE courses you have chosen? How do your selections demonstrate a commitment to excellence?)

My Honors Contract outlines the courses I have taken and plan to take. Many of these classes are challenging and will enhance my understanding of the world. For example, my biochemistry major will enrich my understanding of how the world works on the small-scale level of chemistry, and how it affects living organisms, including the human body. My Spanish minor will enrich my knowledge in Spanish culture and language, as well as the cultures of other Spanish-speaking countries. My planned curriculum will assist in my future aspirations to become a medical doctor. My biochemistry major will give me an understanding of how drugs and changes in environment can affect the important small-scale chemical interactions in the human body that contribute to health and to disease. My Spanish minor will help me to communicate effectively with patients of various backgrounds, especially with the increasing Spanish-speaking population in the United States today.

With which activities are you involved? How does your involvement contribute to your development as a leader? How does your involvement relate to your personal and/or career goals?

I am involved in Project Sunshine OSU and Health Points. I also devote a lot of time to my job as a teaching assistant for General Chemistry lab. I have developed as a leader through Project Sunshine by helping lead fun activities for children at the Ronald McDonald House. Being a TA for general chemistry lab has helped me develop as a leader as I have had the opportunity to teach my own labs of about 20 students for two semesters. I have had to learn to lead my labs effectively and have learned to facilitate productive discussion about chemistry among diverse groups of students. My involvement in these activities will help me achieve my goal of attending medical school and becoming a doctor. Project Sunshine gives me volunteer experience working with hospital patients and family members of hospital patients. Health Points prepares me for medical school by providing me with shadowing and volunteering opportunities, as well as other advice on how to prepare for a medical career. Being a TA has helped me develop as a professional and has enriched my chemistry knowledge, which will be helpful to me as a future medical student and doctor.

List the service-oriented activities with which you have been involved (both ongoing and short-term commitments). How do you plan to continue to engage with the community?

I have been involved with volunteering at Ronald McDonald House with Project Sunshine OSU, and I have done service by participating in BuckeyeThon’s Dance Marathon this year, in which I helped raise money for pediatric cancer research. I plan to continue engaging with the community by continuing to volunteer with Project Sunshine at Ronald McDonald House to provide fun activities for sick children and children with family in the hospital. I will also begin volunteering at Mount Carmel East hospital this summer, where I will be able to assist patients, families, and staff.