Naurisha Kapoor
Hello! My name is Naurisha, and I am a junior majoring in Biochemistry and Bioengineering. Currently, I aim to pursue my Ph. D. in the biomedical sciences, and research the ways in which we can rewire our intrinsic biochemical pathways to fight complex diseases like cancer. My interest in biomedical research began in high school, when I joined the Polikanov Lab at UIC for a summer internship after my junior year. Prior to this opportunity, I had no idea that research was a career I could or would even want to pursue full-time, but immersing myself in this environment gave me an invaluable appreciation for what scientific discovery can look like outside of a classroom. I was amazed to see the molecular mechanisms quietly shaping our entire existence, and moreover how these mechanisms were actually characterized by researchers in the lab. It was ultimately this experience that catalyzed my decision to pursue research at UW and beyond.
As I have continued in my academic journey, I have worked to make the most of my education and the various opportunities around me. I have joined the Alvarez Lab at the Fred Hutch Cancer Center, presented my work at an international cancer conference, served as a Production Manager and Editing Coordinator for UW’s Grey Matters Neuroscience Journal, and will be conducting research as a part of Duke’s PRIME Cancer research program this summer. I found this scholarship to be an invaluable way to support my academic journey as I place more of my attention on conducting research and strengthening my application materials for graduate school. To this end, I am incredibly grateful for the support this award provides by alleviating the financial burden associated with college education.
Goals
My near-term goals are to pursue a Ph. D. in the biomedical sciences and perform research that links biochemistry and bioengineering to fight complex pathologies like cancer. Eventually, I hope to use my interdisciplinary knowledge to engineer therapeutics that wield our body's intrinsic biochemistry to fight disease.
Tips
Make sure your own voice and enthusiasm shine through in your applications. Confidence in yourself and what you've accomplished makes a huge difference in the eyes of the reader. Also know that it's not necessarily how much you've done, but rather how much you've gotten out of each experience that matters. Be sure to emphasize the latter in your application!
