Statement Of Purpose For A Career In Ecology And Evolutionary Biology

Haritha Shanker D

My desire to learn and passion to progress have fuelled me to pursue higher studies in sciences and follow my aspirations. I was, at a very young age, acquainted with the theory of evolution in the form of the Indian mythological narratives of the “Dashavatars” (ten incarnations of God); I was fascinated with the gradual transformation of the ten incarnations from Matsya (fish) to Vamana (humanoid form) and later to Kalki (the extant Human). Though I did not relate this to evolution at that age, reading ‘Deception Point’ by Dan Brown in my 8th grade got me home to the world of Evolution and Astrobiology and have been enchanted since. The theories of Darwinism, Panspermia learnt in high school have intrigued me and still continue to do so. Having secured the second highest mark in Biology among students throughout India, in the Final Board Examinations, I confidently chose the field of Biotechnology as my Undergraduate Program in the Sri Venkateswara College of Engineering, affiliated to the Anna University (Chennai). This choice enabled me to learn the major techniques, study the variety of course offerings in the Biology concentration and use them for research that would help me in my career in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology & in my Masters.

Being resolute, industrious, my organized commitment towards studies helped me perform well and be among the top 10 students of my department. For me, studying courses like Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Micro and cell Biology, the diverse cycles and cellular processes, the interconnections and interdependence, the radiated heterogeneity of the systems in different species appeared natural and inspiring. To my mind the jigsaw of all these differences could be woven to...

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...gree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from your esteemed university will empower me with a background that can facilitate me to work in the NASA Astrobiology Institute, going forward.

Academic work interspersed with Research in Ecology gives me an opportunity to study the interactions between different organisms, their diverse behavioural mechanisms whereas with evolutionary biology, the unfolding and genealogy of such interaction and variety can be elucidated. This field is an amalgamation of a study that has the scope to both prognosticate and also dwell on the history of emergence of the new species. I am confident that I can prove my passion for research in the evolutionary sciences and look forward to studying at your university. An opportunity to pursue my passion at your University will be greatly appreciated and I will give my best in achieving my goals.