My Decision To Pursue Biological Sciences

My decision to pursue biological sciences has not arisen from a sudden revelation or juvenile2 dream but one that I have come to after careful consideration. For a long time, my primary interest was pure economics, and through the works of Richard Dawkins, particularly the "Selfish Gene", and my studies, I began to grasp the strong link between sociological science5 and evolutionary biology. Biology's diversity satisfies my curiosity; it allows me one day to study stem cells and their potential to cure chronic diseases and on another to learn about the Human Genome Project revealing in intricate detail what exactly it is that makes us human. I will be at the forefront of research, global challenges and crucial medical findings; this will be extremely valuable to me, regardless of what career I decide to pursue.

Biology relates to every aspect of our lives; every decision we make as individuals to larger social problems both affected in some measure by our genetics. For example, is racism an effect of our genetic and behavioral disposition to be wary of strangers, and if so is it inevitable? Though what mechanisms do consciousness and perception work? How will we tackle MRSA and other superbugs with their increasing survival adaptations? As a scientist, I intend to scrutinize these types of questions, and after careful consideration come to valid conclusions. Seminars such as "A dive into the Planet's Beating Heart" during Biology in Action illuminated for me the diversity of roles a modern biologist can take.

I am enrolled in "A Quest for the Origin of Our Social Behavior": an online course by Kyoto University. The talks have also sparked my curiosity as well as giving me a taste for university lectures and assignments. I am a member of the Royal Society of Biology and reader of Science Daily; they have put my studies in context and helped me extend my interest past the scope of the curriculum. Notably, I relished David Glanzman's journal on transferring a memory from one marine snail to another. The revolutionary impact of his findings and the implications for Alzheimer's research are truly exhilarating. I particularly enjoyed the applied modules and statistical methods learnt in Mathematics. Economics alongside being part of numerous debate societies improved my ability to argue my point of view logically and convincingly. Biology allows mathematical methods to come to life and allows me to see socioeconomic problems from a new frame of reference. As a devoted linguist, I could not stay away from the appealing structure of the French IB Higher Level, this has allowed me to increase my linguistic ability, think critically, and reflect on global context.

To experience some of the challenges of a biological career, I arranged a placement in a pharmacy, during which I was pleased to have the opportunity to apply my knowledge of immunology. I worked with magistral preparations and also with personalized dosage systems these have been unparalleled in the way they have facilitated the treatment of diseases of patients with peculiar needs. This and many other reasons make me believe that computational biology is a well of untapped potential and that there is much in the field that deserves more attention; I believe it could be an inflexion point of science as we know it. I also volunteered at St. Dominic's School, where I have developed empathetic skills by interacting with children with special needs. It has been a difficult but exceptionally rewarding experience.

I am a responsible, committed and persevering leader. I have shown this in my role as a Head of House, Treasurer of the Sixth Form Council and prefect of my School. I acquired an excellent work ethic, flexibility and management skills. Abaelardus said, "By doubting we are led to question, by questioning we arrive at the truth". I have always been curious enough to doubt, and I want to find myself in an environment where people are not afraid to ask questions.