I entered college quite unaware that the General Chemistry class I was required to take for my biology major would spark in me a strong interest in chemistry. A first-generation college student, I was a bit afraid and unsure of what to expect from this college-level science course in chemistry. Consequently, I devoted a great deal of time to studying and reading for this class, and began to realize how fascinating the science of chemistry is. I was intrigued by the way that the laws of nature are tied so closely with mathematics, and how chemistry is a fundamental science upon which the other sciences are built. While my General Chemistry class sparked my interest in chemistry, my Organic Chemistry class confirmed my love for the science. …show more content…
Accordingly, toward the end of my sophomore year I decided to double major in Chemistry and Biology. As I began thinking about careers in chemistry that would be of interest to me, I realized that research might be a career that I would find fulfilling and meaningful. Over the past semester I have been reading the book Brainstorming by Solomon Snyder, and the book’s description of the scientific studies conducted on opium receptors in the brain has piqued my interest in research. I have also recently visited the Charles River Laboratory in Ashland, Ohio. Observing the day-to-day activities of the chemists in this laboratory helped me to understand the critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills necessary for a successful career in research. Through reading journals and descriptions of the vast range of opportunities for research in chemistry, I have become interested in the research areas of Organic Chemistry and Organic Synthesis, Organometallic Chemistry, and Biochemistry. Although I aspire to attend optometry school and become a practicing optometrist, I am interested in having a career in which I could also actively participate in optometric research. My current plan is to obtain an O.D./Ph.D. degree, ideally focusing my research on the biochemical aspects of the eye. My dream is to ultimately become a university