Above is the grant proposal that I wrote as a project for Advanced Genetics. This project was my most meaningful in the class because it was the first time I had been asked to write a formal scientific grant proposal. Although it was scary, I learned a lot from having to dig through the primary literature, find an open question, and think of a reasonable way to solve it. This experience taught me that there are a lot of interesting questions that have not yet been explored in science and eventually I might be able to play a role in finding answers.
In Advanced Biochemistry, I was tasked with writing a grant proposal involving metabolic engineering. This was a new challenge because I had to do my project on a topic other than human health. I learned a lot about the future of the fuel industry and some of the questions that need to find answers to help the industry become more sustainable. I also found this interesting because I grew up on a cattle farm, so the idea that Cirsium, or common thistles, could be used to provide an easily accessible source of cellulose for biodiesel production is amazing. When I was growing up, my dad went through our fields and cut thistles which would eventually be burned to prevent their seeds from being spread, a common practice for most farmers. If these thistles which are so often disposed of could be used to make biodiesel, this could change the industry.
Above is the presentation that I gave for Cell and Molecular Biology over Tay-Sachs Disease. I thought this project was interesting because formerly, I had heard of Tay-Sachs, but I did not know much about it. I learned through researching this project that Tay-Sachs is not heavily researched because it is relatively rare, so all that can really offered to patients is comfort care. Hopefully through awareness of this disease, a cure can be found.
Above is the presentation I gave over my grant proposal for Junior Seminar 2. This proposal was one of my favorite projects that I have done at Drury because it seemed possible that I could really do what I was proposing. This project made me feel like the work I am doing really matters because further research into Antrodia cinnamomea could result in increased treatment options for cancer patients, especially those with mutations often resistant to traditional chemo and radiotherapy. Additionally, Dr. Crocker and Dr. Popescu made this project seem very possible with their interest in fungi and additional comments on the possibility of work on Antrodia cinnamomea. This fungi, which is largely unknown in the Western world, shows great promise in cancer treatment as well as a remedy for many other illnesses. I enjoyed this project and am excited about the future of Antrodia cinnamomea!