In Pursuit of Science Scholarship


2017 IN PURSUIT OF SCIENCE SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT:
Nadine Lee '18

What did you do for your Fellowship?

I was blessed to have been given the opportunity to pursue multiple diverse summer experiences. For the first part of my summer, I was able to take a Harvard graduate course on Epigenetics. While at Harvard, I explored a variety of complex epigenetic mechanism, and developed a mock grant proposal that aimed to cure symptoms of PTSD through DNA methylation of the glucocorticoid regulated kinase 1 gene. For the second part of my summer, I attended the Stanford Clinical Summer Internship, where I wholeheartedly dove into my lifelong dream of becoming a trauma surgeon through interactive lectures, simulation experiences in primary care, emergency medicine, obstetrics, sports medicine, cardiology, neurology, and surgery. Always a passionate advocate for the IDD community, I lastly traveled to Ilsan, South Korea to volunteer at HOLT (an international orphanage, disabled residential home, and adoption agency) while shadowing a Dr. Cho, the on-site doctor at the orphanage clinic. There I was able to apply the techniques and knowledge that I learned during the first two parts of my summer.

What was your inspiration?

Throughout my personal journey, I have pursued the study of science as a consistent avenue for developing my academic passion. The study of science has inspired me to better understand disorder in society, and its wisdom has made me appreciate all aspects of life, including my own. My perception and attitude toward the understanding of our complex world has forever changed as science has given me an overarching purpose. As a result, my summer journey was an extension of my passion for the sciences; it was an incredible opportunity.

What was an unexpected lesson?

It's hard to imagine making an impact as a 17-year-old. After going to a summer program, one just goes home and continues to live life. But my summer experience was different. I discovered the power of knowledge and that I could change the lives of others through what I learned. It's about never giving up, pursuing your dreams, and achieving with what you've learned. I was able to do that this summer, and it was the most rewarding experience.


2016 IN PURSUIT OF SCIENCE SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT:
MALEA EMUNAH '17

WHAT DID YOU DO FOR YOUR FELLOWSHIP?

I interned with Dr. Matt Ferner at the Romberg Tiburon Center for Environmental Studies (RTC), where I collected estuary water samples and took them back to the lab to test them for sedi­ment and chlorophyll concentrations. The purpose was to better correlate data collected by sondes—probes that automatically collect oceanic data—with human-collected experimental data.

I also attended a Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies summer course with Dr. Marina Oster focused on ecology and sustainable living.

WHAT WAS YOUR INSPIRATION?

I wanted to explore my deep connection to the Northern Cali­fornia coast and delve deeper academically into my passion for environmental science.

What was an unexpected result?

How much concentration lab work requires! Making sure every measurement is accurate and being able to repeat lab techniques precisely takes a lot of brainpower. ! also began to grasp how selfless science is; big flashy results take a long time to manifest, if they do at all.

At Stanford, I was inspired by the passion of my peers from all over the world and struck by how much global and interdisciplin­ary cooperation will be necessary for us to effectively confront climate change.

2015 IN PURSUIT OF SCIENCE SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT: ANGEL ZHOU '16

WHAT DID YOU DO FOR YOUR FELLOWSHIP?

I spent the summer working on an application addressing one of the most important issues facing humanity: energy. My summer began with a seven-week Girls Who Code program at Adobe Systems in San Francisco, where I learned programming languages essential to mobile app development/design and about wireless networks and remote controllers.

Then I interned with Hareon Solar, which is committed to providing renewable energy for rural areas in China. At their Altusvia manufacturing facility, I participated in solar panel production, but I spent the majority of my time helping to create a prototype of Hareon Solar’s mobile app. Connected wirelessly to the solar panel system monitor, the app gives solar panel users the ability to monitor and manage their homes' energy consumption remotely. I traveled to the impoverished houses that had recently received solar panels from Hareon Solar to demonstrate a functioning prototype of the app. For many individuals, it was their first time seeing a mobile tablet.

WHAT WAS YOUR INSPIRATION?

Four years ago, I visited rural Anhui, China and witnessed the poverty and inaccessibility to electricity compared to the city, only half an hour away. I felt inspired to join my passion for technology with my desire to help the residents gain access to electricity.

WHAT WAS AN UNEXPECTED RESULT?

It was so gratifying to see the families I met have access to renewable energy - to lead better, more efficient lives with technologically advanced yet environmentally friendly machinery.