Dear Professor John S.

Condeelis,

I am writing to express my interest in a PhD position in your group. I recently completed my

bachelor's degree at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso Nigeria. I have
about 5 years experience studying biomedical science. My bachelor’s thesis was focused on the
comparative study of antioxidants enzymes and estrogen hormone from women. I analyzed
antioxidant enzymes catalase, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione together with
lipid peroxidation biomarkers and estrogen hormone to determine its predictive potential for
cancer disease in women. The result of the study showed that decreased antioxidant defense and
reduced estrogen hormone in postmenopausal women could play a significant role in the
pathogenesis of various diseases related to menopause such as cancer. The result of this work
kindled my interest to know more.
Post graduation, I interned with the polymerase chain reaction laboratory of Federal Medical
Center, Makurdi (WHO Reference Centre For HIV viral load testing in Nigeria), I worked with
the researchers in the laboratory to help in the maintenance of HIV patients by carrying out Liver
Function Test, counting the CD4 cells using the flow cytometer and determining the viral load in
the HIV+ blood samples using Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR).There I also
co-authored a research work on the effect of supplements administration in hepatitis C obese
patients. The findings reveal that the supplement zinc and selenium administered to these
patients may be effective in the prevention of liver cancer and also exert great anti-inflammatory
effects and tumorigenesis prevention. This experience so far has greatly enhanced my research
skills and critical thinking ability.
These opportunities have reinforced my resolve to stay associated with academics and increase
my interest in the teaching profession with which I dream of becoming a professor in the near
future. I read some of your research articles, and the area of research being pursued in your
group is very interesting. Your recent publication on Tumor Microenvironment of Metastasis
(TMEM) Doorways Are Restricted to the Blood Vessel Endothelium in Both Primary Breast
Cancers and Their Lymph Node Metastases caught my attention and I will appreciate an
opportunity to discuss potential research ideas that align with your area of interest.
I am confident that my investigative qualities, independence, creativity, and critical thinking, my
technical skills in nucleic acid isolation and manipulation, qRT-PCR, protein localization,
protein-protein interactions, stress assays and my experience in cell biology would be an asset to
your laboratory. I am enclosing my curriculum vitae. Thank you for your time and consideration.
I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Olaleye.