Rob wrote this for an admissions essay.
Statement of Purpose: University of Cincinnati-Pathobiology and Molecular Medicine
I have several reasons for my interest in a graduate program in the biomedical sciences. For most of my college career I have been preparing to become a medical doctor. As I was making the final preparations to apply for medical school I realized, with a little bit of help from my spouse, that I had several reservations about going to medical school. I asked myself several questions about where my priorities lie and reevaluated my academic goals. After speaking with several of my professors the suggestion of pursuing a graduate degree was offered. The more I learned, the more I realized that obtaining a Ph. D. would fulfill my personal goals even better than a career in medicine would. I would be taught about disease in a much more detailed fashion than a medical degree would offer and I would be able to potentially make an impact in the world of medicine, effecting people globally, through the research that I would perform. The more I thought about the possibilities the more excited I became to obtain a graduate degree and begin my research. This excitement continues to increase the closer I get to graduation.
I also have a desire to help others learn. I see myself potentially remaining in academia.
Teaching at the university level would be extremely rewarding. Not only do I get to do research, but I will be given the opportunity to help others gain a similar understanding and appreciation for the sciences. I am grateful for my professors who have helped me catch a part of their vision and excitement for this field. Currently, I am strongly drawn to medical microbiology, perhaps with an emphasis in parasitology. The greatest thing about achieving a Ph. D. is the doors that will be opened. Though my degree may be very specific, I will always be able to determine my future area of study. I look forward to the freedom to ask important questions and have the knowledge of how to seek and discover answers to those questions.
The research I have been involved in since May of 2001 involves the effectiveness of various disinfectants on multiple strains of Mycobacterium ulcerans. I am currently heading this project seeking counsel from Dr. Richard Robison of the BYU Microbiology faculty. Two clinical isolates from patients in Ghana as well as the type strain are being used to test the efficacy of the disinfectants. Initial tests have given mixed answers, mostly due to our lack or knowledge about the concentration of the freezer stock and the extreme incubation period needed for the clinical isolates (3-4 months). Currently, our hopes are high that our latest run has been successful, and the proper plating window was found to ensure our results. Disinfectant testing should begin before January 2004. Also, if all goes according to plan, this project will be the subject for my honors thesis.
The other project that I am also heading will be testing various compounds developed by professors from BYU and Utah State University. Those involved hope to find antibiotic action against various species of Mycobacterium, including M. bovis, M. ulcerans, and M. tuberculosis. The experiment will involve impregnating media with the various compounds at different concentrations in an attempt to identify antimicrobial activity, as well as synergistic activity with Rifampin, a proven anti-mycobacterial drug. If activity is found against M. ulcerans and bovis, M. tuberculosis testing will be done in the BSL-3 facility. Dr. Richard Robison is also my advisor on this project and is over the BSL-3 facility.
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