At the University of Pennsylvania’s College of Arts and Sciences, I plan to pursue my academic interests by majoring in Biology. I first discovered my interest in the subject last semester and found that learning a science that was applicable to the very basis of life was intriguing. I enjoyed the course so much that I decided to take Biology II and Microbiology for the current semester. I would like to explore my new academic interest by working with Penn faculty and researchers, such as Dr. Paul Bates. Dr.Bates is currently researching viral glycoproteins and host cell factors that allow infection. His lab at Penn works with several different viruses and is now researching whether or not Tetherin is a new innate immune recognition receptor. As a possible future medical professional, the idea of studying factors that affect infections in patients is extremely exciting. Being able to work and research with Dr.Bates on a project such as this is the type of opportunity that I hope to have while attending the University of Pennsylvania. …show more content…
Due to my upbringing, I have always had a deep interest in East Asian countries, particularly Japan. I would love the opportunity to study in Japan and learn about different cultures. It is my belief that studying abroad changes a person in a way that allows them to think and see the world in a different light. Studying abroad with Penn will allow me to experience a different culture. Those experiences will change me in a way that will one day make me an excellent physician by changing the way I approach issues and giving me valuable insight to a culture different from my own.