I'm finished my undergraduate degree in March 2017, and I started the MS portion of my contiguous BS/MS Biology program thereafter. I'm currently interested in pursuing translational research of neurodegenerative diseases through Biomedical Sciences and Neuroscience PhD programs. For schools that offer them, I'm also interested in medical training programs that can be concurrently pursued (e.g. Yale's MRSP). I'm currently deciding whether to apply to my programs of interest or commit early to a lab through Sanford Burnham Prebys BMS.* This commitment would involve NOT applying to any other programs, so I would like to gain a better idea of where I stand as a candidate. Thank you for your help, and good luck to everyone!
Undergrad Institution: University of California, San DiegoMajor(s): Physiology & NeuroscienceMinor(s): NoneGPA in Major: 3.85Overall GPA: 3.36Position in Class: NoneType of Student: Domestic Asian MaleGRE Scores (Revised):Q: 160 (76%)V: 167 (98%)W: 4.5 (82%)Research Experience:
UCSF (4 months): Pharmacological research of cancer cell lines (primarily glioblastoma) in mouse models.
Completed a growth curve experiment for a cancer cell line of interest.
UCSD (10 months): Insulin sensitivity and signaling research in the orthopedics department.
UCSD (2 years 3 months/ongoing): BDNF vector gene therapy research for treating neurodegenerative diseases such as AD.
Participated in an annual Division of Biological Sciences research showcase.
Should have a manuscript submitted prior to application deadlines (11/30 or 12/1). My position in the author list has not been confirmed, but my post doc has been giving me as many opportunities as possible to bump my name up the list.
Should have a first author paper following the completion of my MS thesis in Winter/Spring 2018.
Awards/Honors/Recognitions:
None
Pertinent Activities or Jobs:
Undergraduate IA for 1 quarter (Endocrinology)
Graduate TA for 2 quarters and 2 summer sessions (Endocrinology, Mammalian Physiology, and Molecular Biology)
Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help:
None
Special Bonus Points:
Graduate courses in ongoing MS portion of my BS/MS program (GPA: 4.0)
Antibiotics
Professional Development for Biologists (seminar)
Advanced Topics in Cancer Research and Therapy (seminar)
Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter:
Primarily low grades in my Humanities GEs, physics courses for NanoE, and math courses for NanoE (e.g. linear algebra)
Countless electives primarily due to (e.g. British Literature, Biology Seminars, Introduction to Matlab):
Originally pursuing a degree in Nanoengineering as a pre-med
Originally interested in a minor in English/Literature
Letters of Recommendation
UCSF PI
UCSD PI (current lab)
UCSD Assistant Professor (research)
UCSD Professor (academic)
Applying to Where:
Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute - BMS*
UCSF - BMS
UCSD - Neurograd/BMS
UPenn - BGS (NGG) + GTMS
Yale - BBS + MRSP
UW - Neuroscience
UMich - PIBS
Baylor - Neuroscience
Rockefeller - Neurosciences and Behavior
UChicago - Neurobiology
University of CO, Boulder - MCDB