CELL Anonymous

In Biology, acronyms make learning easier. I took the liberty to create my own, CELL, allowing exploration both inside and outside the classroom.

C: Cleveland & Clinics
I talked to the Head of the Department of Ocular Oncology at Cleveland Clinic to convince him to mentor me. Soon, an email appeared, informing me that I would be guided by him and another doctor. I spent my internship poring over research papers: case studies about specific gene mutations and their correlation with the incidence of uveal melanoma. I created tables, analyzed pie charts, and plotted Kaplan Meier curves, delving into the world of biostatistics and metastasis.

E: Exploration & Essays
My endeavor with Pioneer Academics progressed from group sessions to individual meetings discussing one-on-one research. I worked hard: finalizing my research question, revising literature reviews, and scrapping experiments. The result was A Review on "Curcumin as an Anti-Cancer Therapeutic." It opened my eyes to the possibilities in research. If only 8 weeks of research could give me a lead to a potential treatment for a life-threatening disease - then 4 years could hold much in store. Research was like having a super-power. Using my new abilities, I conducted...