Single Parenthood Personal Statement

My grandmother, a single parent, worked her whole life to ensure that her five children had food to survive and clothes on their backs. College was never an option or even a passing thought for her. My mother followed suit and inherited the hard life of single parenthood at 16. She has struggled my whole life to give me the chance to pursue the path I choose. She worked tirelessly to provide opportunities for growth and an environment that fostered learning. 21 years later, I am proud to be the first member of my family to attend college. The experiences I have gained along my transition from a curious youth in Stockton, California to an undergraduate preparing for graduate school have afforded me a unique outlook on life. My hopes are to contribute my perspective to the diversifying researcher community.

Looking back, my motivation to pursue research truly began in Stockton while volunteering with demented elderly individuals at a nursing home. However, I did not equate my volunteer experiences with my future profession until developing an irrevocable curiosity for neurodegeneration while taking

I am most interested in neurodegenerative diseases, especially Alzheimer 's, and their effects on cognition. However, I would also be interested in examining cognitive control in relationship with substance abuse, the effects of substance abuse on the mesolimbic dopaminergic reward pathway, and memory consolidation across the lifespan. I am enthusiastic about the possibility of performing the dual-role of a teacher and a research, however, I will always remember how hard it was to get where I am. Thus, another big goal of mine is to mentor underrepresented college students in their pursuit of a Ph.D. I feel it is my job as a minority individual to help reconcile the racial representation inequities in research. Thank you very much for your