Biotechnology Personal Statement

High school is a defining period in many people's lives. They might learn who they are, what they want to do for a career, or how they will carry themselves throughout life. I was able to discover my career area because of my time in high school. Through Biotechnology, I found I would like to pursue a career in the sciences. Through my trips with my dad, I found an interest in a field of science I had never considered before until my senior year in high school.

Biotechnology is a signature program of Shawnee Mission West High School. In this program, students will learn how it is working in a research lab environment. Students will learn everything from how to use pipets, how to practice aseptic technique, how to culture cells, and more. Students receive hands on practice throughout all of Biotechnology. In Biotechnology 2, students design and carry out their own research project with minimal limits. Students have worked at KU Medical Center researching cancer,

I studied the inhibitory effect of honey on the growth of bacteria. This entailed me researching honey, bacteria, and a process of measuring the inhibitory effect, then I designed the research project, next I did the research and wrote a paper detailing the results, and finally I presented the findings at the Junior Science and Humanity Symposium in Oklahoma. Having to present my findings in front of professors who have a Masters or a PhD stressed me out a lot and then having to present again in the final round to even more professors stressed me out even more. Having to speak in front of those professors really pushed me out of my comfort zone, but after having that experience public speaking seems easy. Hopefully if I continue with my education and go through a PhD program, defending my thesis will seem easier than it would before. This experience taught me about the