Trevor Morelock

As nerdy as it sounds, I love all things science and subsequently math. I’m an intended Biochemical Engineering and hope to use my degree to do research in genomic editing. Specifically I’m interested in studying the manipulation of algae’s genome to effect its photosynthetic rate. Is this even possible? That's what I want to find out. I want to use my research to help people and make our world a better one. Through the use of CRISPR, a genome editing tool, I potentially can give people immunity to all diseases. We ask ourselves why don’t we have a pill that cures all disease, well I’m working to do one better because by manipulating our DNA, you won’t even have to take a pill, and even better than that we won’t have to get sick in the first place, as our new DNA codes for proteins that will prevent disease.

Aside from people's health, immunity would change the very foundation of this country’s political system. The driving question behind political scientist in regards to socioeconomic behavior is how do we maintain a balance between what the public wants, what we as a government need to do and the economic standing in which we can do so. However, the public opinion is largely driven by our health, therefore if can manipulate our genomic DNA in such a way that we are immune to all disease! This would stipulate political science driving question to change, from how do we invigorate the public while simultaneously properly governing the country to how can we properly, fairly, and accurately govern our country. This could extinguish the vaccination debate, the healthcare argument, and develop more cordial international relations. Of course with the development of such a prominent development a lot of controversy and resistance is imminent. However we’ll cross that bridge WHEN we get there. Regardless of what happens, I hope to make a change in this world.