Moments That Change Lives by Samantha

Moments That Change Lives by Samantha - January 2025 Scholarship Essay

I remember the moment it happened. I was with my mom sitting in Dr. Trussell’s office for my parent/student/teacher conference during the first semester of my sophomore year. Dr. Trussell, the Head of Breck School’s Upper School Science Department, recommended that I apply for Breck’s Advanced Science Research (ASR) program, one of the hardest and most rewarding experiences a Breck student encounters because of the intense focus on academic rigor, scientific integrity, personal growth and teamwork.

I was currently taking Dr. Trussell’s AP Chemistry class, and he said he saw the potential in me to be able to handle the intense rigor of the ASR program along with my passion for science combined with my natural abilities. I had heard of the ASR program but until Dr. Trussell recommended that I apply, I was not sure if I would qualify based on how hard I had heard it was to be accepted into the program.

Following the conference, I discussed it with my mom and decided to apply. I was one of the few students selected and began my ASR journey in May 2023 by conducting Alzheimer’s disease research in the Medical School at the University of Minnesota’s Winston and Maxine Wallin Medical Biosciences Research Center under the guidance of Dr. Karen Ashe, MD, PhD, a pioneer in Alzheimer’s disease research, and her team.

I spent my summer working full-time in the research lab focused on determining the relationship between Alzheimer’s-related proteins AB*56 and Δtau314, both of which are involved in the pathology of Alzheimer’s disease. When I began my junior year of high school in the fall, I created scientific papers and conducted both formal and informal oral presentations about my research and participated in science competitions throughout the school year.

The Alzheimer’s disease research I did was especially meaningful for me. My maternal grandfather passed away from Alzheimer’s disease when I was just 14 months old.

I loved conducting scientific research and being in the research lab working with the team. I decided to apply for a second year of the ASR program and was accepted. In May 2024, I returned to the Medical School at the University of Minnesota and this time I conducted cardiovascular research under the guidance of Dr. Bryce Binstadt, MD, PhD, who heads a laboratory in the University of Minnesota’s Center for Immunology focused on understanding the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases with particular emphasis on immune-mediated cardiovascular disease. The focus of my research was cardiovascular inflammation that occurs in lysosomal storage diseases.

My ASR experience was life changing. It made me realize that Dr. Trussell was right – I love science and have a passion for it, especially scientific research. Prior to Dr. Trussell’s encouragement, I had not realized this about myself, but he saw this in me and because of him, I am planning to study biochemistry in college with my goal to conduct scientific research to help reduce pain, improve health and extend lives. Dr. Trussell did what great teachers do - he saw something in me and encouraged me - and that moment changed my life for which I am forever grateful.