SURE Personal Statement

Participating in the SURE program is an excellent foundation for me to expand my experiences, build knowledge, and create networks with other researchers in a variety of fields. As an undergraduate researcher, I appreciate how researching provides context and application of the concepts I learn in my science courses. My learning in and out of the classroom is enriched by my ability to apply knowledge and make connections in a hands-on manner. Every time in the lab, I gain more knowledge, run experiments, come up with designs, and make connections between the data. Therefore, it would be a wonderful opportunity to spend my summer continuing my research. The SURE program will allow me to do just this while strengthening me as a researcher and

equipping me with skills to carry into the future as a medical neurologist.
Moreover, the relationship and the role of research in medicine is important as society progresses and diversifies.

The need for updated information about the issues affecting our communities or diseases impacting our health is critical. My research consists of analyzing the functionality, components, and mechanism of the N- Methyl- D- Aspartate receptor (NMDAR), an ionotropic glutamate receptor on nerve cells. Information about the NMDAR is important for understanding the mechanism behind many neurological disorders like epilepsy and developmental delay. Any meaningful research, information, and data gathered about the NMDAR can aid in the discovery of new drugs to better treat these neurological disorders and diseases. In the future, my work along with many others will contribute to the discovery of new drugs that doctors may prescribe to patients with epilepsy. This, in turn, coincides with my vision to be a neurologist so I can serve patients with epilepsy and other neurological disorders. As an undergraduate, I am fortunate to work in a lab that focuses on an interest of mine. Every day I learn more about the brain and an aspect of some neurological disorders as I study mutations of the NMDAR. Also, it is interesting that the recombinant human DNA I experiment with were initially derived from a patient with epilepsy somewhere in the

nation.
The activities, workshops, and intensive research experience the SURE program provides will propel me into my studies, my interests, my research, and my future career goals. I am a dedicated, motivated, and innovative learner so I look forward to the completing all tasks delineated, networking with other researchers, and the opportunity to share my research with others. Also, I look forward to learning more about designing experiments, creating a hypothesis, and creating realistic and a scientifically sound approach to conducting experiments. Even now, I develop these skills when assessing areas to modify in my own experiments-especially if I consistently get no results. Not every experiment will yield meaningful results, but a slight modification to the protocol may make all the difference. Within most failed attempts comes with new experiences, new knowledge, and a new application for later experiments. This may lead to the findings you predicted-or to outcomes you never thought would happen. I love this about research because there is always something new to learn and experience, and this is another reason why I hope to participate in the SURE program. Alongside, applying science, research, and innovation in medicine fascinates and motivates me even more to be a neurologist. There are many transferable skills from the classroom, to the lab, and to the hospital that overlap, and I seek to continually develop myself to have a better approach in all of these areas.