Stem Personal Statement Draft

STEM Personal Statement Draft
As a Muslim, Ethiopian American female with Middle Eastern and Indian roots, I
grew up around several cultures, easily switching among them when appropriate. My
parents spoke Amharic, so I learned English at the age of three, through television and
books. I learned to read, speak and write Arabic in school, watched and loved Korean
dramas and music, and was introduced to Japanese culture through martial arts, manga
and anime. My interest in Japan gradually grew throughout my childhood. I took karate
and jujitsu classes for 6 years until college, and am now taking Judo. In elementary and
middle school, Id spend hours watching anime, and in high school, Japanese dramas,
movies, and music, to the point where I had a basic understanding of the Japanese
language and taught English to three Japanese children at my librarys Homework Help
Club. I am currently enrolled in a Japanese language 001 class (it is not yet on my
unofficial transcript because I had registered late), and am a part of the Japanese Culture
Club, Muslim Student Association, Interfaith Fellows, and Korean Culture Club, all
cultures I am familiar with and enthusiastic about.
Because I had grown up in a culturally diverse environment, adapting to

scientific culture was not too much effort. During the summer of 2014, as a part of MITs
Minority Introduction to Technology, Engineering and Science (MITES) intensive six
week residential program, I worked in a four person team for the genomics elective
course at the Broad Institute of MIT & Harvard to identify bacteria associated with a
specific location on the body. We determined the bacterias identity, developed a
phylogenetic tree, read primary literature to investigate the roles of bacteria in
establishment of a healthy microbiome. On the other hand, I learned to balance my
responsibilities as a student with my mental and physical needs, develop self- control,
and open my mind to think in new ways. My confidence and abilities grew, but I also
knew to seek help when necessary. In the final week, we presented our findings at a
symposium (poster session) to other MITES participants, sponsors, and MIT affiliates. All
research conducted was under classroom instruction of Dr. Mary Piper and several
teaching assistants.
By that time, I knew I wanted to join the American scientific community in the
future. I did not realize science outside of the USA until after I volunteered at the Sakura
Matsuri Japanese Street Festival in Washington, DC during 2014s cherry blossom season.
There, between the rock music performances and food stalls, presentations were given
on research being done in JAXA (Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency) with electron
microscopes and earth observation data, and a language translation device for cell
phones. United States- Japan relations were greatly encouraged and at this moment, I
realized that science was a universal language. I wanted a way to, not study abroad in
Japan as many others do, but conduct research at a Japanese laboratory. I find the
Nakatani RIES (Research & International Experiences for Students) to be a stellar
opportunity for the application of classroom concepts through independent and
interdisciplinary research in labs that can offer diverse views, as well as opportunity for
growth as a professional researcher through United States- Japan relations.
As a chemistry and physics major, I love to ask questions: anything learned is

uncertain until proven and even when proven, there can be errors. My mindset is
particularly useful in my field of interest- micro worlds or, to be accurate, the nanoscale
world where nothing is certain and everything behaves differently than how it would in
bulk. It is easy to forget that the world holds so much more that what one sees and
understands, thus the chase to uncover something absolutely novel is exhilarating. I am
generally interested in anything condensed matter or chemical physics-related and their
applications in medicine and material science as is being researched in the
Maruyama/Chiashi lab, as well as the Aoki, Dani, Awazu, Kawata, Kawano, and Saito labs,
among others, but I am not afraid to step out of my comfort zone and explore unfamiliar
research themes such as solid state electronics in the Suemitsu lab.
In fact, I did just that during the fall semester of 2014, as a part of my high schools
internship program; I worked at the University of Maryland College Parks Department of
Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, under Dr. Sheryl Ehrman for about six weeks. I
did not conduct experiments; rather, I was given access to scientific journals and
conducted my own literary research on the nanotoxicity and compared data between
journal articles to find correlations in cytotoxicity and physical properties of the
nanoparticles studied. I had learned to read and understand journal articles at MITES,
but here I learned to critique journals to identify the support and holes in the arguments
made. At the end of my internship, I gave a brief presentation on my findings for school
credit.
My interest in nanoparticle research started in high school and currently thrives-

much of what Ive learned about lab techniques and recent experiments are from books
and seminars presented by researchers who are invited by Howard Universitys
Chemistry and Physics departments. Although my undergraduate education in General
Chemistry I & II, Physics I & II, and Calculus II is not enough to understand everything
presented, upperclassmen in the American Chemical Society and Society of Physics
Students help to explain concepts. These organizations are wonderful sources of advice
for students who may not have lab experience or face difficulties as minorities, being
female, first generation, etc. As one who has experienced each of these limitations, I hope
to serve as a guide for those after me and better myself to better the world. My plan is to
obtain my Ph.D. after graduation, in an interdisciplinary field combining chemistry and
physics, such as chemical physics, material science, or atomic physics, and use it to push
boundaries and explore new ideas in an international setting, and eventually start my
own company based on researched applications. The Nakatani RIES would allow me to
form contacts that can be revisited in the future and learn to adjust myself to the
Japanese culture and expectations, as well as conduct research in interesting or
unfamiliar fields.
I believe international collaborations force participants to see the world from another
perspective, which can benefit both participants and the projects outcome. Language
barriers and differences in lab culture are trivial to the open-minded, tolerant and
determined. I, myself, am a fusion of cultures, languages, majors, and interests. The
United States and Japan have had over 40 years of collaborations in space science,
medical science, business, natural resources, and environmental protection programs.
Japan leads the world on a per capita basis in full time researchers and nondefense
research, indicating an equal partnership in collaborations between the two countries.
While many other countries also team with the United States, Japan is my first choice for
collaboration because of the countrys astonishing science and technology outputs,
growing significantly in its contribution to the worlds scientific literature and patents.

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STEM Personal Statement Draft

Because I had grown up in a culturally diverse environment, adapting to

As a chemistry and physics major, I love to ask questions: anything learned is

My interest in nanoparticle research started in high school and currently thrives-

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