I know the feeling the words “incurable cancer” carry with them. My mother died of cancer, and not long after, my father was also diagnosed with cancer. My father survived, but these experiences confirmed my interest in genetics. They have aroused in me a great passion for cancer genetics so that fewer and fewer children will lose their parents to this dreadful disease.
I originally became interested in genetics during my medical school rotations. I excelled in pediatrics, clinical genetics ward, and pathology labs. I became fascinated by the genetic variations that play a role in susceptibility to disease and wanted to pursue research in this area. I am especially determined to learn all I can about the significance of genomic alteration to malignancies for application to diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive testing.
After medical school, I was fortunate to be selected for a post-doctoral fellowship in nephrology at one of the busiest and most prominent hospitals in the USA. During this time, I noticed that ADPKD tissue exhibits a high frequency of anomalies on many chromosomal segments, supporting the concept of molecular cytogenetic aberrations. I also became familiar with PKD, Alport Syndrome, Von Hippel Lindau Disease, Fabry, and other inherited diseases. I have been privileged to have practiced as a physician and to have been a researcher and lecturer. Still, I have firmly concluded that I can make my most significant contribution to diagnosis. My goal is to become a genetics lab director and teach at the university level.
I finished a master's in public health Program at XXXX University to gain further insight into the interaction between genetics and the environment. This program gave me an understanding of the basics of current molecular genetics. During my research project, my mentor and I analyzed environmental cues for cancer that result from epigenetic factors. Our research was given an international award. During ' hands-on ' training on mice transgenesis, I also had the opportunity to work under some distinguished scientists, such as Professor XXXX. I acquired skills in transgenic technologies, RNA-mediated inheritance, DNA pronuclear microinjection, genotyping, and DNA extraction from ES cells. I also served at several laboratories practicing molecular and cytogenetic techniques such as FISH and Microarray. In addition to co-authoring a paper on DMGK, through short-term training in pathology at the University of Massachusetts, I am developing my skills in molecular techniques such as PCR, electrophoresis, and DNA-based phylogenetic studies.
I am aware of the importance of cultural sensitivity in medicine. I have traveled widely when presenting my research, including visits to Germany, Turkey, Iran, Mexico, and Ecuador. Since I arrived in the US, I have happily worked, studied, and socialized with people of many cultural and social backgrounds.
I love challenges and solving problems; I seek to achieve something significant and valuable; I am endlessly curious about my areas of interest, and I am constantly striving to extend my knowledge base; I am persistent and focused; I like to work with others in a team, but I am equally happy to concentrate on a problem on my own; and finally, I am passionate about genetics research. These characteristics have been proven in my successful study to date. I now seek to undertake research in clinical laboratory genetic-tumor cytogenetics and novel molecular diagnostics assays, monitoring their impact on patient care and prognosis.
I am confident that this fellowship will enable me to maximize my contribution as a physician.
Medical Genetics Clinical Fellowship Personal Statement