Science was my first love. Since I was a young boy I have always been fascinated by the world of science, and my mind has always been hooked on discovering the certain little intricate whys and how’s behind the scientific phenomena of everyday life. At an early age I sought a deeper understanding of things that were far beyond a typical seven year-olds’ capacity of understanding, but that alone fueled my desire to learn even more. Growing up in a small town where everyone knows each other, and the lack of things to do was almost the perfect recipe for trouble, I was determined not to fall into the mix. I have no doubt that my ambitions are becoming closer within reach, and will soon be a reality. Each day I continue to make small steps, working hard, persevering through troubles, and inching closer and closer to my goals.

In high school my infatuation with science continued as I joined various clubs and organizations. The most important thing I did during my high school years was joining the Science Olympiad team. My years participating in Science Olympiad solidified the fact that I wanted a career in science. Upon graduating high school, my grandmother became sick, I made the decision to stay at home to lend a helping hand to my mother while attending the local community college instead of going off to a university. I entered Beaufort County Community College (BCCC) in the fall of 2008. My three years at BCCC are responsible for me developing certain leadership, and communication skills that I lacked coming out of high school. When I was a student at BCCC I finally realized that a degree in chemistry was what I wanted to pursue.  I became a mathematics and chemistry tutor which cultivated my interest in the sciences. I graduated from BCCC in May of 2011 with three associate degrees, waiting to make my next move to Elizabeth City State University (ECSU).

I entered as a student at ECSU in the fall of 2011; I declared my major as chemistry with a concentration in pre-pharmacy.  Now I have completed that chapter of my journey, and I can finally say that I am a graduate of ECSU. At ECSU I gained a great deal of technical experience from scientific lab-work. I demonstrate proficiency with the compound light microscope, the electron microscope, acid-base titrations, spectrophotometry, bacteria plate streaking, as well as slide staining. I am also very capable of handling laboratory materials with the proper care, and maintaining a clean and safe laboratory workspace .I also participated in volunteer activities on campus, and even activities out in the surrounding ECSU community. I volunteered my time to participate in a free diabetes and blood pressure clinic. Prior to the clinic I received training that taught me the proper procedures of taking blood pressure, and testing blood glucose levels.

During the summer of 2013 I completed a research program at ECSU titled Watershed Watch 2013. This program was a partnership between the University of New Hampshire and Elizabeth City State University. My research was titled “The Watermark Project: Human Actions Impacting the Quality of Water”; my mentor was Jeff Schloss from the University of New Hampshire. The objective of the research was to analyze how humans impact the quality of water in many ways including agriculturally, domestically, and developmentally. During part of the research we implemented the use of a turbidity probe, as well as nitrate level water- testing kits. This program allowed me to utilize skills learned through courses I have taken, and it also taught me new analytical methods adding to my chemistry background. The latter half of the summer I conducted research in ECSU’s Research Experience for Undergraduates (which was a part of ECSU's Center of Excellence in Remote Sensing and Education Research); my work was titled “Early North Carolina Colonial and Native American Ground Penetrating Radar Site Survey.” . This research utilized collaboration with the Museum of the Albemarle, and archaeologist Clay Swindell; we used the science of ground penetrating radar to detect the presence of subsurface materials at a site located along the Chowan River in northeastern North Carolina. The project was targeted at finding a possible relocation site of the Roanoke Lost Colony, one of North Carolina's most historical mysteries. This project was exciting, relating scientific methods to history. It turned out successful, catching the attention of National Geographic who is currently picking up from where the research led to.