Originally from Atlanta, Georgia, the inspiration of becoming a scientist began in  the ninth  grade. My brother was born and was placed in intensive care because of  a blockage. Being  of young age, the only thing that could be done was to observe  from the outside intensive  care window. After viewing how the nurses cared for  the helpless newborns and infants  inside of intensive care, my prospective career  arose. Every since then my future was  planned.

 With that experience, research was underway. It was brought to my knowledge  that what  was viewed was the work of a neonatal nurse. As much as that  convinced me, the decision  to push for the Doctorates and study Neonatology  came about. From then on my future  career was mapped out for me.

 As a sophomore at Tennessee State University, the opportunity to work in a  research  laboratory under Dr. Benny Washington was presented. A lot of  knowledge was gained on  different laboratory techniques, biology, chemistry, and  mathematics. My lab instructor  Charlie Mtshali and the graduate students gave  influence and advantages that other students  were not exposed to. Being apart of  the lab gave me insights to other options dealing with  Biology. The possibility of  becoming a crime lab scientist also came about because of the  joy of working  with the different technology and producing results.

 Neonatology is a subspecialty of pediatrics, dealing with infants, from birth. Caring  for babies from birth includes some of the most medically fragile infants, those  born prematurely and who are extremely small, ill, or both. The normal course of study to  become a neonatologist is 14   years of post-high school education. This is where my  interests lie and where my heart is. This is because the knowledge   will become more pure and my future will not be in question.

 This route is not going to be an easy one. Research at Tennessee State University is something that will aid my awareness of   the science field. This is because the knowledge will become more concrete and my future will not be in  question. Also given   the opportunity to intern at Elizabeth City State University on the research level will hopefully advance me as well into the   field of interest.

 Memb ership in the following organizations include: The Student Union Board of Governors, Sophomore Student  Ambassadors, Phi Eta  Sigma Honor Society, Gamma Beta, Phi Honor Society, American  Medical  Student Association, the  Tennessee Louis Stakes Alliance for Minority Participation,  and The Tennessee State University  Aristocrat of Bands. Maintaining a good education tract,  grade point average, and continuous association  with these organizations will lead to a  promising future.

This summer the great privilege arose to participate in the 2005 Undergraduate Research  Experience in  Ocean Marine and Space Science. A participant of the Dolphin Team under the  direction of Mr. Kevin  Foss was an area that was different from what I have experienced in the  past. My familiarity has been on  molecular work and techniques; which explains why this  practice was on a totally different side of the  biology spectrum. The experience that I had was  very interesting and worthwhile.