In today’s time and age, the world as we know it has become more competitive, technologically advanced and curious in fields of math and science. I am one of those people who especially love science and all of its realms that make what the world is today. Some people may even say that I am one of those stereotypical Indians who absolutely adore math, science and technology and honestly, I wouldn’t be able to argue against that statement and stereotype. So yes, my curiosity of science as well as what I can learn from it has shaped me who I am today-a scientist and a learner.

Since childhood, I have always dreamed of becoming a scientist or a doctor to revolutionize fields of science and medicine. In 2008, my grandmother was diagnosed with multiple-myeloma and within a year, she passed away. Despite our vast current scientific knowledge, there was still no treatment that could save her. These events motivated me to grow beyond the classroom and dive into research. At my high school, there was a subject for research-driven students known as Independent Scientific Research where a student performs research at a university. In the 10th grade, after countless hours reading articles and emailing hundreds of university professors, I was finally accepted into the program.

This program was no ordinary subject. There was no daily homework or reading from a textbook. There were no tests or quizzes given during class time. I had to make weekly presentations about my research and write a research paper that would be sent for submission to two prestigious science competitions: Siemens-Westinghouse® as well as Intel®. At this point did I fully realize that nothing in life comes easy and if it does, then something has definitely gone wrong.

After making an innumerable amount of mistakes throughout the course of my research, I realized that I grew far beyond what I had imagined. I have become a significantly better speaker and writer after I finally published my research paper that was constantly criticized and through weekly presentations in front of PhDs and professionals; as a young scientist and student however, I have learned and have been inspired far beyond than what a textbook would have taught me: the importance of honest hard work and how a dream is only as hard to reach and as far as you think of it.