Summer Undergraduate Research Program - Fred Hutchinson ...

I want to keep on learning and discovering at the University of Washington, one of the
leading research institutes in the nation. With the new surge of awareness and funding for
stem cell research, it is truly the beginning of a scientific revolution. Stem cell research is
a fresh and thrilling field that will aid to dissect the mechanism of many diseases as well
as potentially treat them. This fall, in order to better inform and prepare myself for a
career investigating stern cell biology, I enrolled in the “Intro to stem cell biology”
graduate course offered at my college. In the class, we discuss some of the obstacles and
methods that researchers at the University of Washington are currently conducting. Most
notably, Dr. Hans Peter-Kiem’s research interest in stem cell gene transfer in larger
mammalians holds much promise for potential future human stem cell gene therapy.
Especially with the recent success in producing primate embryonic stem cells by somatic
cell nuclear transfer. However, I know that there are many other amazing researchers,
such as Dr. Charles Murry and Zhengui Xia, also investigating many important facets In
relation to stem cell biology. The large, diverse, and choice population of researchers is
the basis in my decision to apply to the University of Washington.
My ultimate goal is to become a professor and run my own research lab because I
enjoy teaching and interacting with people, as well as discovering the unknown. I am a
Chicano researcher but the Latino scientist is a rare breed in the scientific community.
Therefore, I want to be the spark that ignites the change. I want to increase that subpopulation
by outreaching to the Latino community and encouraging them to participate
in science. The MARC program has had enormously positive impact on my life and I
would like to establish a similar program in my future academic institute. I want to go
back to my elementary school and talk to children to tell them that they can become a
scientist and that they do not have to fall victim of their surroundings like so many others.
I want to not only be a role model for my family members, but also for my entire
hometown of Richmond, California and Latino community.
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