D.

Personal Statement

We live in a world where over 80% of our food is produced on farms. We also live in a world
where the implications of climate change are often ignored. A problem is then introduced, what do we do
when our climate can no longer sustain the life of our food crops? This is where my current and future
work will come into play. Following my graduation from Butler University with a Bachelor of Science in
Biology and minors in Chemistry and Computer Science I am eager to attend graduate school to obtain a
PhD in molecular plant biology. As a molecular plant biologist, I hope to understand the underlying
genetic mechanisms that govern plant growth and development in response to abiotic and biotic stressors.
By studying how plants adapt to changing environmental conditions, I hope to identify key genes,
regulatory molecules, and molecular pathways that can be harnessed and manipulated to create more
resilient crops that can thrive in a changing climate.
To accomplish the goals I have shared above I have obtained as much research experience as
possible. My time spent in the Spears Lab has been invaluable to building my molecular biology skill set.
I have become proficient in the basic skills of a molecular lab and can apply those techniques and
methodologies to all of my future work. Skills such as cloning, bacterial transformation, sequencing,
primer design, etc. can be applied to most, if not all, molecular based lab projects. Although I am grateful
for the valuable training I have gained in experimental design and execution through my research
experiences, and broad experience in cloning for construct generation, I am still waiting for an
opportunity to apply the constructs I have generated over the past several months. I take great pride in my
work and am eager to see it come to fruition through experimentation, data collection and analysis, and a
future publication. Receiving the prestigious Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship award from
the American Society of Plant Biologists would allow me to advance my research goals while
contributing to the broader scientific community. This opportunity would have a significant impact on my
future academic and professional endeavors, especially in securing funding for graduate school research.
As a SURF student, I would be in a competitive position for NSF-GRFP programs. I am thrilled at the
prospect of being a part of this program and the possibilities it presents.
As an advocate for science communication, accessibility, and education, I am eager to share my
experiences with others. My primary objective after completing my graduate degree is to reenter
academia so I am able to teach young scientists, like myself, both in the classroom and the lab. By doing
so, I hope to inspire future generations of scientists to seek out plant focused academic careers just as I
have. Receiving this prestigious award would provide me with an exceptional opportunity to share my
research with a broad and diverse audience of scientists, educators, and peers. Communicating scientific
research to a non-specialist audience can be challenging, but it is an essential aspect of effective science
communication. With unfamiliar audiences, there is a need to refine scientific language to make
information more accessible and engaging. I would have the opportunity to work on these crucial
communication skills, further honing my ability to communicate complex scientific concepts. I believe
that effective scientific communication is critical to addressing current and future global challenges and I
am committed to playing my part in this endeavor.
My passion for molecular plant biology drives my desire to pursue a graduate degree in order to
continue conducting research. With the opportunity to participate in the SURF program, I would be able
to further develop my skills in lab work and scientific communication. I am excited about the possibilities
that lie ahead and am eager to continue pursuing my goals in the field of molecular plant biology.