A Major in Your Sickness. by Svetlana

A Major in Your Sickness. by Svetlana - April 2025 Scholarship Essay

You’re sick now, but maybe not a few days ago. Hopefully in a few days it will pass too. What will you do though?

Having a plan for combating health threats and illness (NOW) in our present is a safeguard for our future.

This is the reason why I plan to major in cell biology (with a minor in microbiology) in college. I’ve always been fascinated by what we can’t see—these tiny, invisible workings of our own bodies, the exterior (and some on the interior) microscopic organisms that influence our health, and the ways healthcare professionals can use science to protect life. My goal is to work in a medical setting like the local UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital; further, my work will not necessarily be face-to-face with patients, but behind the scenes in a diagnostic lab. I want to be part of the team that helps physicians understand lab results, detect infectious diseases, and find the right treatments.

This line of work matters. It’s the silenced backbone of medicine—conducting research, interpreting illnesses, and building the knowledge that leads to better care. I want to contribute to this field. I see myself earning a Master’s degree, applying what I’ve learned to real-world challenges, and offering my skills to my local Denver community.

Ultimately, I chose this major because I’m curious about how life works at its most absolute levels, and because I believe knowledge is strength. Studying cell biology allows me to explore profound questions about existence while also turning that curiosity into something practical—something that helps people. Through research, education, and collaboration, I hope to safeguard health and understanding for the future.