If you wish to make apple pie from scratch, you must first create the universe.

This statement,
from Carl Sagan in PBSs Cosmos, shook me to my core and subsequently threw me for a loop
as I contemplated the vastness and complexity of our universe. I selfishly wanted to learn more
about the world, whether it was liberal arts or science, I wanted to know more. My passion for
knowledge has driven me my entire life; it gave me an aspiration for dedicating my professional
and personal life to the pursuit and distribution of knowledge. Subsequently, this passion
shepherded me into university laboratories and industry workspaces where I had the opportunity
to contribute to our collective knowledge. My experiences at these different research labs have
not only confirmed that I am capable, creative, and talented at research but that I need to keep on
growing by pursuing a PhD.
My first significant experience in research was during my freshman year in the Applied Research
Lab at Penn State University (PSU). At PSU, I along with a small group of undergraduates had
the opportunity to develop strategies for exploiting Blue Force Tracking systems; it required me
to apply mechanical engineering and electrical engineering skills to discover weaknesses of this
critical ally tracking technology. As a freshman, I was elated about this research which pushed
me to take a leadership role by organizing meetings and co-presenting our phase one
research. While I did enjoy the experience, the research was not what I felt passionate for, so I
decided to explore other fields.
That summer, I interned at Boeings Defense, Space, and Security division in Houston. This was
my opportunity for me to explore industry as a career path, and a chance to prepare for the
Astronaut Program, which is one of my dreams. I had the unique opportunity to work two
projects: optimizing verification process for International Space Station payloads and developing
spacewalk safety procedure. Furthermore, due to my enthusiasm for space research and
exploration, I received a part-time internship at the Lunar and Planetary Institute. This
experience taught me how to work in large groups, coordinate in collaborative multidisciplinary
assignments, and juggle various projects. I even honed my presentation skills through an hour-
long closing talk, which was also my first professional presentation. However, neither the
industry setting nor aerospace engineering appealed to me, so I continued to explore.
Ultimately, my yearning for a different research led me to Dr. Tak-Sing Wong my sophomore
year at PSU. College of Engineering Research Initiative funded my research in his Dr. Wongs
lab where I was exposed to biomimetically inspired nanotechnology. I chose to work on
optimizing the use of triboelectrically charged surfaces to electrically separate oil-water
mixtures. My objective with the project was to show a proof of concept for how to effectively
deal with ocean oil spills. After designing the proof of concept, I also proposed simple ways of
applying the fundamental science on an industrial scale. I believe the independent environment I
experienced, due to having my own funding, helped me learn how to handle the freedom and
burden of designing and troubleshooting my own experiments.
Following that experience, I applied and was accepted to the National Nanotechnology
Infrastructure Network. While at the University of Minnesota, in Dr. Tianhong Cuis lab, I
researched a graphene-biosensor alternative to ELISA, a chemical assay, which would screen for
cancer biomarkers with lower costs, a higher sensitivity, and ease of use. Despite my lack of
background on nanofabrication and 2D materials, I completed the project and collected sufficient
data to demonstrate that our biosensor met ELISA standards for sensitivity and exceeded
standards for speed and ease of use, while remaining scalable. However, I wanted push the
project further, thus I planned experiments to demonstrate that my own sensor array design
showed an improved signal-to-noise ratio and sensitivity. This independence tested my
creativity, ingenuity, and passion for pursuing research. Ultimately, this fortified my
commitment to a PhD and a career in biomedical research.
During my junior year I began my Thesis under the continued guidance of Dr. Tak-Sing Wong.
With my newfound interests in mind, I requested to work on the batch fabrication of nano-
triangle SERS biosensors using nanosphere lithography. This project would demonstrate a
technique for fabricating high sensitivity biosensors at realistic and scalable costs. Once more,
this lab provided the opportunity to both design and adjust my own experiments, and with some
guidance, I could steer my project in the direction I wanted. I also created an alternative sensor
design that employed nano-honeycombs, thus adding a new element to my thesis project. Still,
this background in nanoelectronics and biosensor research would not prepare me for the most
interesting dot on my timeline i.e. my internship at Stanford University.
When I applied to Stanfords Amgen Scholars program I wanted to engage in nanoscale
biomedical engineering. Thus, I was excited when chosen to work with Dr. Bianxiao Cui and
was eagerly waiting to start my project. Yet, much to my surprise, I was assigned to an
optogenetics project. My job was to modulate the homo-oligomerization of light-sensitive CRY2
by using different fusion proteins. Of course, asking for help and not being deterred despite my
clueless had to become routine. I invested myself greatly as I worked to learn new techniques,
theories, and approaches. Additionally, with the help of my lab and peers, I refined my ability to
communicate my research and even went on to win a best oral presentation award at Stanfords
research symposium. This experience reassured me that I can succeed within varied spheres of
research and opened my eyes to life sciences research in an awesome way.
The Biophysics Program at Stanford, which celebrates interdisciplinary and collaborative
research, is my ideal graduate program. At Stanford, I became fascinated by research conducted
in Dr. Bianxiao Cuis and Dr. Sindy Tangs labs. I was keen on Dr. Tangs varied microfluidic
work, such as fundamental droplet research and single cell tissue healing. During our meeting, I
was elucidated on the labs diagnostic tool research and was excited by the potential applications
in disadvantaged locations. I was also interested in Dr. Cuis neuron nano-probe research,
especially since it will be intertwining with the labs optogenetic research. This summer, I was
explored her labs projects and shadowed graduate students, thus confirming my interest for the
labs research and the environment. Lastly, Stanford also appealed to me by having a strong
entrepreneurship culture and an on-campus hospital enabling easy research collaboration. After
earning my PhD, I want to pursue a career in academia, so that I can have the opportunity to
mentor and teach. While research will be my careers focus, I also want to pursue science policy
and advising, because I believe that there is a deficit of good science driven legislation.
Ultimately, these experiences ranging from industry to academia, aerospace engineering to
optogenetics, and macroscale engineering to nanoscale engineering, shaped me into confident
and skilled researcher. Thus, due to my diverse academic and personal backgrounds, I am
confident that there is no better second step in my career than becoming a Biophysics graduate
student at Stanford University. With that I look forward fostering my growth into an exquisite
researcher within the growing field of Biophysics while under the Stanford banner.