My Next Big Educational Goal: by Kimia

My Next Big Educational Goal: by Kimia - August 2024 Scholarship Essay

Being away from home has made my experience as an international student difficult. It has been heartbreaking leaving my family behind in Iran to pursue academic objectives in the United States. It has been challenging to manage financial and emotional strains while adjusting to a foreign environment. It is quite difficult to pay for living expenses and tuition because of Iran's economic situation and volatile currency rates, which have put further financial strain on people. With one US dollar being worth roughly 620,000 Rials, paying for tuition has been more difficult. This problem is made harder by the current political and financial unrest in Iran, which makes money transfers challenging.

Despite these challenges, I have not changed my commitment to my academic and scientific objectives. I pushed myself to develop my project over the summer, putting in a lot of effort to provide significant results. Financial limitations have, however, occasionally made it difficult for me to travel and collaborate—two things that are crucial for the growth of science.
My primary academic objective is to finish my study on the PAX6 protein in the inner ear cells of salamanders, with the ultimate goal of helping to reduce sickness rates worldwide, especially in developing countries. The prominent transcription factor PAX6 is well known for its involvement in the development of eyes in a range of animals, including flies and mammals. Its expression in various organs, including the testes, pancreas, central nervous system, and developing inner ear cells, has been shown by recent discoveries. Notably, our team has discovered PAX6 in the European salamanders' (Eurycea) mechanosensory neuromasts of the lateral line system, indicating that PAX6 may have uses in addition to those for which it is currently known.

To achieve this, I'm actively trying to establish a strong network of support within the institution and looking for tools to help me get over challenges. Interacting with instructors, research teams, and student associations has enhanced my sense of belonging to the academic community. To improve my abilities and expand my network, I intend to keep looking for possibilities for professional development, such as participating in conferences and working with other researchers.

I am sure that I will succeed academically and have a significant impact on my field. My research may provide fresh perspectives on diseases like hearing loss and lead to novel treatments. By overcoming these obstacles, I will be able to finish my research and make significant contributions to the international scientific community.