Enriching My Medical School Experience Anonymous

My unique course of study at Stanford will allow me to contribute to the learning environment at Vanderbilt. In the "Human Genome and Disease" course, Nobel Laureate Paul Berg gave a guest lecture on epigenetic regulation. Afterwards, I spoke to him about techniques used to assess methylation profiles. The opportunity to discuss science with Paul Berg was a truly unforgettable intellectual experience that inspired me to declare an Area of Concentration in Epigenetics in the Human Biology Department. As I designed my own course of study, I sought to explore epigenetics from a variety of disciplinary perspectives, from evolution to developmental biology. For my term paper in Dr. Ellen Porzig's Developmental Biology course, I investigated the evolutionary importance of imprinting and its role in the prevention of parthenogenesis in mammals. My study of epigenetics stretched my understanding of evolution, cell differentiation, and gene-environment interaction. My coursework in upper division biology will provide me with an arsenal of ideas to share with classmates.

Through research, I developed a strong desire to work in an environment of shared learning and teamwork. When I conducted basic science research in Seung...