Throughout history, almost every civilization has sought effective ways to cure the human body when it is struck with an ailment. From the ancient materia medica of Chinese medicine to the novel concept of gene therapy, mankind has successfully revolutionized the practice of modern medicine. This is evident in the treatability of many once debilitating diseases either by the mere administration of a pharmacological compound or by the introduction of corrective genes into cells for the treatment of genetic disorders. As triumphal as these achievements may seem, the list of incurable pathologies remains unexhausted hence the pressing need for innovative drug research and development.
My interest in drugs and the desire to understand their
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The human brain is considered the most highly evolved and complex organ in the universe. Its complexity is so immense that no other brain in the Animalia Kingdom could engender the higher level of consciousness associated with human cleverness and inventiveness. The fact that the brain, in spite of its complexity and sophistication, could still be susceptible to the deranging effects of neurodegenerative diseases which ultimately leave the body incapacitated intrigued me. Moreover, most pharmacological remedies aimed at ameliorating the effects of these diseases have been ineffective. This continues to stimulate my interest in neurodegenerative diseases and I intend to devote my professional life as a scientist to explore and develop new therapeutic targets for these pathologies.
In other to achieve this, I wish to pursue a Master of Science degree in Pharmacology and Toxicology with a focus on therapeutic intervention for neurodegenerative disorders. I have chosen the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia because of its well-structured graduate program that will provide me with the necessary infrastructures to delve into my areas of interest. I also believe that this masters program will in the future create a firm foundation for me to pursue a doctorate degree in neuropharmacology to enable me to become the academic and astute
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Not only was I equipped with medical laboratory diagnostic skills which can be applied to the field of biomedical research, I was also opportune to participate in active research during my final year where I worked on the topic “Detection of Human Papillomavirus in Gastric Biopsies Obtained from Patients Suffering from Various Gastric Pathologies”. This project gave me a hands-on training on molecular techniques such as polymerase chain reaction. Also, my active participation in the initial drafting of the manuscript for this research enhanced my academic writing
Throughout my college career, I have been fortunate to experience many opportunities to immerse myself in the field of genetic counseling through phone interviews, job shadows and internships with a variety of genetic counselors. As a sophomore still seeking to learn more about genetic counseling, I arranged a telephone interview with Patricia Arscott, a cardiovascular counselor from the University of Michigan. Patricia answered all of my questions involving the average job duties, responsibilities and aspects of being a genetic counselor and gave me advice about suggested college courses to take and resources for more information about the genetic counseling profession. By the end of the phone call, the zeal with which Patricia described her career firmly cemented my belief that I wanted to become a genetic counselor and feel just as passionate about my career too.
Arguably, the industry that most utilizes advancements in organic chemistry is the pharmaceutical sector. It is critical to continuously develop new drugs to provide cures and symptom removers for the numerous diseases, ailments, and illnesses still yet to be remedied. Throughout the course of human history, natural products, evolved by biology, have been used to treat diseases and injuries. Morphine, a pain-killer was derived from a flower while olive oil has been used to improve wound healing efficiency1. There have even been paleoanthropological studies to suggest that Neanderthals, an early ancestor of humans, might have used some species of plants as medicine. This trend continued far into the 20th century, until the 1990s, where there was a switch in the pharmaceutical industry to research and develop drugs based on combinatorial chemistry1. However, failure to discover new compounds by organic synthesis, to yield drugs in medicinal areas such as immunosuppression, anti-infectives, and metabolic diseases, has prompted a resurgence in the age-old use of natural products2. Natural products today are extracted from plants and other biological material to be concentrated into pills and anecdotes, while some chemical extracts can even be used in the synthesis of more complex drug derivatives.
During my junior year, I fell in love with science, specifically Biology. My AP Biology class inspired me to pursue a career as a biomedical engineer. I was fascinated about the complexity as well as the simplicity of biology. When my AP Biology class was learning about biotechnology and the different ways scientists were using technology and medicine to cure patients, I was very interested in how technology played a big role in saving someone's life. That was when I started volunteering at the Frederick Memorial Hospital in Frederick, MD.
This led me to take additional psychology classes as electives, and eventually this passion to learn more about the brain became so strong that I decided to add a Psychology minor to accent my Medical Laboratory Sciences major. I am very happy with this decision, as it allows me to learn about what I am truly interested in: the human body and human brain, and their endless connections to each other. Neuroscience is a field which encompasses the human body and brain thoroughly, and I am very interested in learning more about it. I am also strongly considering pursuing a career in biomedical research as I recognize its importance for advances in modern medicine, and it is a field which aims to improve lives. On a personal note, I am attracted to entering research as it is intellectually challenging and is constantly evolving. This program is second to none for the experience with researching neurological disorders and stroke that it offers. It would help me solidify my future career plans, as I plan to pursue a Ph.D. in a biomedical field, and have been strongly considering
I will return to your class this fall to study AP Biology under your guidance. Currently, I am the only child in a three-person family consisting of my parents and me. My parents are both chemists in a pharmaceutical company. They are both hard-working individuals, and I deeply admire their unfaltering patience in managing their priorities at work and at home.
During my time in the Graduate Counseling program, I want to specialize in the areas of addiction and chemical dependency, adolescent therapy, and sexuality. My ambition is to eventually work with adolescents and adults in an inpatient/outpatient setting, and/or in a rehab center. I firmly believe that to be able to work in the field that I want
I am pleased to write this letter in strong support of Dr. Marilyn Carter’s outstanding research work as a scientist in the field of neuroscience. Based on her research skills, publication records, and both her proven and ongoing contributions to the field, I am absolutely confident that Dr. Carter will continue to discover new aspects of neurodegenerative diseases and thus facilitate the discovery of new therapeutic methods, ultimately serving the national interests.
One of the reasons I am so attracted to this field is because its multidisciplinary nature and function in society. I hope to apply my knowledge and skills from previous science courses into something meaningful, as well as gain a deeper understanding of the nervous system. As someone who wants to pursue a career in neuroscience, this would be an indispensable learning experience and opportunity to work researchers of various
Alzheimer’s disease is a complex illness that affects the brain tissue directly and undergoes gradual memory and behavioral changes which makes it difficult to diagnose. It is known to be the most common form of dementia and is irreversible. Over four million older Americans have Alzheimer’s, and that number is expected to triple in the next twenty years as more people live into their eighties and nineties. (Johnson, 1989). There is still no cure for Alzheimer’s but throughout the past few years a lot of progress has been made.
Alzheimer’s disease is a prominent brain disease that effects a massive amount of individuals in the United States. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, accounting for 60-80% of dementia cases, with no chance of being cured, prevented or decelerating over time (Alzheimer’s Association, 2014). AD is the most well-known form of dementia, causing complications in brain function in the areas of memory, thinking, and behavior (Alzheimer’s Association, 2014). In an effort to gain a deeper understanding of Alzheimer’s disease, researchers create new knowledge about the disease, which is then distributed to the public. The goal in this information disbursement is to find new and inventive ways to treat AD, prevent AD from progressing at such a rapid pace, and aid in the quality of life in those diagnosed with AD as well as caregivers and medical professionals providing treatment to individuals’ with AD.
With the huge diversity and changeability of human biology, it is impossible to imagine a reality without some mutations, changes, or issues in the organs and tissues of humans. Thus, it rightly follows that medications and pharmaceuticals have been created in an effort to counteract the various ailments and illnesses that people can experience. However, as time has gone on and these pharmaceuticals have become more and more high-tech, regulated, and trusted, they have also become incredibly commercialized. Worse still, medications have become incredibly expensive and can be unattainable for some people.
Alzheimer's Disease is a condition that affects 50% of the population over the age of eighty five, which equals four million Americans each year. It is becoming an important and high-profile issue in today's society for everyone. There are rapid advancements being made in the fight against this disease now more than ever, and the purpose of this essay is to educate the public on the background as well as the new discoveries. There are many new drugs that are being tested and studied every day which slow down, and may even halt the progress of the disease.
Affecting an estimated 4 million people worldwide (NIH), Parkinson’s is one of the less common nervous system disorders. Despite its rarity, Parkinson’s is largely researched because there is no cure and few effective treatments. It also has a big impact on quality of life for those afflicted. This disease usually shows up after age 40 and occurs when the brain cells that are responsible for motor skills die. Symptoms include tremors, inability to move, and impaired cognitive function, all of which worsen over time. Because this is a condition that affects the brain, if an effective treatment can be established, treatments for other more common conditions such as Alzheimer’s may soon follow. This makes it a critical topic for today’s doctors and scientists.
As a result of the opportunities and experiences that I have had, both directly and indirectly related to medicine, I have never been more certain that this is the right course for me to study. My eyes were opened into the complexity of the human body when I began studying A Level Biology. It continues to amaze me that there is a complex network of biological and biochemical mechanisms, in a state of constant electrical and chemical activity, that work round the clock to ensure that the body can function. This, combined with my love for chemistry, inspired me to undertake work experience in a biochemical lab, as I thoroughly enjoy expanding my understanding of science. My confidence flourished as I used logical thinking and problem solving skills to assist PhD
Over the years, scientists have been instrumental in discovering and developing new drugs that save thousands of people’s lives. This significantly improves life as we know it on Earth. So basically, this topic is on a big in-depth study of drugs and medications.