I am currently a Biology Major and a "Science, Technology & International Affairs" minor, and I hope to pursue genetic research.

Understanding of science is essential to understanding of life. This has been my motivation for academic pursuit and intellectual development. However, this was not always so. When I was creating my schedule for my first year of high school, my guidance counselor gave me the choice of taking an art class or a science class. Being a young, naive thirteen-year-old, I saw no comparison, and quickly chose the art class. Since my school only requires three years of science courses, this seemed to me, at the time, a logical choice. I did not realize the error of my ways until the beginning of my sophomore year. At this time, my science requirement was Biology. Due to my high Math and English grades, I qualified for the honors class. Here, I fell in love with bio. I thoroughly regret not taking science that first year, despite how much I enjoyed the art class. What surprises me now is that I never realized how much science was already an important part of my life outside of the classroom. I have always been drawn to the natural world. On family vacations to the beach, I would spend hours observing life in a tide pool. During the summer months, I would examine the different butterflies that emerged in our flower garden. This affinity for science has always been with me, but it took a talented teacher and a rigorous course to introduce me to the academic world of science, and attract me to its further investigation. My naturally inquisitive nature prodded me to delve further into this subject, and my continual interest in numerous biological topics led to the choice of biology as my future college major.

This decision was not made rashly; I seriously considered several fields of science, including chemistry, before settling on biology. I tried to picture myself twenty years from now, and imagined what I could be doing. In all of my scenarios, despite the small details that varied, the white coat and laboratory remained constant. When I was young, my father encouraged me to become a doctor, as many fathers might. He was convinced that I was going to be a doctor. I was going to be a doctor no matter what anyone else said. When I was learning to speak, I called myself 'Lorni' since Lauren seemed impossible to pronounce. Unfortunately, it stuck as a family nickname for me. My father's desire for me to go into medicine even went as far as his addressing me as "Dr. Lorni." While I considered this possibility as well, certain aspects of my personality veered away from this path. I am self-proclaimed indecisive. From small decisions such as menu choices at a restaurant, to the major task of college choice, one of my flaws is my inability to make quick definitive selections. On the bright side, this same indecisive personality flaw can be viewed as an asset. 'Indecisive' is easily interpreted as 'thorough.' While this is not always desirable at a restaurant, in the field of science research, it is beneficial. Quick interpretations of results are rarely accurate, and thorough is the key to research success. Medicine, however, requires quick thinking, not in the fact-based sense, but in regards to making life-or-death decisions. As I matured through high school, I leaned more and more towards research, and less towards medicine. While this may disappoint my father, I know he will be equally supportive in whatever aspect of science I choose.

After moving forward from "Dr. Lorni," I focused on the idea of research. The "white coat" in my vision did not indicate a doctor, but rather a researcher. That, with the connection to biology, decided my college plans. I began looking for colleges that focused on the sciences, and offered appropriate facilities for learning and research. At the same time, I focused on my current studies, knowing that any topic we cover in class may one day be my senior research thesis. I began engaging in outside reading, watching nature shows on the Discovery Channel, and observing the world around me. I purchased an inexpensive "lab-like" microscope, which, although limited, permitted me to continue experimenting at home. Over the summer, I worked at a blueberry farm down the street from my house. Partial to the fruit as well as the outdoor setting, I enjoyed the job immensely, especially because it allowed me to get a first-hand look at agriculture, and the dwindling role society places on it, yet its overall importance. The simplicity of the job, from our "cash register" composed of a pull out drawer to the grand total of eight employees that existed, was a welcome contrast to the hectic school year.

Yet time went on. For me, academically, my senior year has been the most rewarding so far. This is mainly due to my AP Biology class, which allows me to explore my interests to a much larger degree than sophomore year. It has also been a time to further define my future goals. "Scientific research" is an awfully vague category of study. At present, there are two major areas of biology that have caught my interest: genetic disorders and cancer. I realize that cancer research seems almost like a fad these days; everyone is going to find a "cure for cancer." Despite this mass attraction, I believe mine is sincere. I am also sure every scientist who sets out to study cancer says the same thing. However, I am not looking for glory, or a miracle. Cancer is a topic that interests me mainly because of its abnormal formation, and its strong connection to genetics, my other area of focus.

From colorblindness to Tay-Sachs, disorders caused by our own genes are fascinating to me. That these conditions are prescribed in our genetic code, whether by mutation or inheritance, seems impossible, yet, when considering the influence of genes, extremely probable. Regardless, my own inclinations towards genetic disorders and cancer are what I plan to explore during college.

At the same time, my involvement with the Phoenix Community Cancer Center has helped broaden my pool of information on cancer. While I can easily learn about the causes and particular chemical components of tumors, the psychological affects are only truly realized hands-on. While I have never personally been affected by cancer, my involvement with the "Reason for Hope" walk has introduced me to countless individuals who have encountered cancer, and survived. At the other end of the spectrum, my involvement with raising funds and gaining sponsors introduced me to the politics of asking for money. This is a skill I hope will be helpful when applying for grants and funding in the future. Trying to plan, fund, organize, and run the event is not as easy as it seems at first glance. Each year we tried to expand and improve, and each year we faced more difficulties. Overall, my involvement has taught me the importance of collaboration, the importance of emotion in science, and the importance of dedication.

I believe that who I am as a person is partially defined by my interests and involvements. However, my interest in science is a result of who I am, not vice versa. Science is an integral part of my life, and will continue to be so. It is not the only part, nor is it my sole interest. I hope that science will not only be central to my career path, but a catalyst for my other interests, such as the French language, and art. Although these seem far-fetched and unrelated, I believe that science is strongest when it works in collaboration will all aspects of life. Understanding of science is essential to understanding of life. This statement means more to me now than ever, as I will take it with me to college and beyond as my primary guideline.