Marine Biology Personal Statement

When I first stepped into the Hall of Science many years ago, something within me clicked as I lay my eyes upon the vast central pavilion. The most vivid memories of my childhood include my experiences examining the strange specimens the museum through microscopes that had been put on display and gazing into the ecospheres that contained a variety of organisms from miniscule shrimp to large seaweeds. While the trips to the museum that defined my childhood have become rare, and the exhibits that caught my attention many years ago have long since been replaced, the passion that was formed through these experiences still remains. From the support of my teachers, my previous camp coordinators, and the mentorship of my mom who was a chemist, I

From streaking a bacteria culture to properly reading a spectrophotometer, the basics of lab technique were reviewed during that class. The final project of that class was to utilize the lab techniques taught to express GFP within E. Coli, which I managed to complete with success. Joining my schools Ocean Bowl Team has provided me with a background in Marine Biology as well. To learn about the dynamic relationships between animals present among the various ecosystems of the ocean brings me back to the times I observed the ecosphere set up at the Hall of Science. Learning of each new ecosystem was similar to the experience of discovering another ecosphere set up on the opposite side of the exhibit, when learning of complex relationships between animals of a new ecosystem once again fills me with wonder. Furthermore, studying for USABO has provided me with new knowledge on the details of cell biology, helping me understand the processes essential for the survival of all living organisms. I have been provided with a comprehensive biological experience that makes me fit for a life science track at the ARISE summer

During my final project of GFP expression I struggled to add the GFP gene to E. Coli. However, I was able to work with my advisors and peers without panicking to successfully express GFP on the second to last day that I had access to the lab. I am able to work calmly under-pressure, and also eager for collaboration. I worked with fellow students at hunter this year to start a USABO club, gathering enough interest to host the event at my school for the first time in several years. In my school ocean bowl team, I consistently come up with study resources to further our individual understanding and question sets so that we can test each other’s knowledge. I also consider myself an innovator that consistently offers important ideas. Such as the introduction of USABO back into my school, and when I brought up the idea of krispy kreme luncheons into term council, which have made hundreds of dollars for the student government since 8th grade. I see myself as an innovator, a collaborator, and able to work under pressure; Three important qualities which mark an competent