is this statement of purpose letter good? how would you change it? is it sincere? “I am writing to express my strong interest in Ph.D. on account of my all-time ambition of proceeding toward higher education and, as a result, career advancement in the context of Translational Science, focusing on function and regulation of sensory modalities including pain, itch and gentle touch. This is due to actions required to better understand neurobiology and neuroscience of pain and itch. On the whole, becoming a researcher or a professor at an outstanding university defines my career aspiration. My research experience in the pharmaceutical development, medicinal chemistry and neuroscience, together with my lifelong goal of taking compelling steps toward providing better health care and scientific approaches to tackle diseases, has provided me with the background necessary to apply to the Ph.D. program in Translational Science at the University of Texas Health Science at San Antonio.

My deep-rooted aspiration, which stemmed my intense craving for learning, managed me to achieve a remarkable rank (top 1% among all participants) in the nationwide university entrance exam for Pharmacy Doctorate program in 2019. Given my previous academic background, a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from Centro Escolar University in Manila (3.7 GPA) and a doctorate degree in pharmacy from Shiraz University of Medical Sciences (one of the most prestigious universities in Iran) with GPA of 3.6, several years of working as technical manager at community drugstores, hospitals and pharmaceutical industry have enabled me in nurturing my passion for excellence in making meaningful contributions to the healthcare industry.

Throughout my academic journey, I have gained diverse laboratory experiences with cell culture, PCR, enzyme inhibition, Flow Cytometry, and in-vivo animal studies with a focus on inflammation, cancer, oxidative stress, diabetes, and epilepsy. Notably, I have conducted research on animal models of seizures, allowing me to amass invaluable insights into the synthesis of medicinal compounds. In my subsequent pursuit of enhancing my expertise in medicinal chemistry, I collaborated with Dr. Zeinab Faghih on the synthesis of ‘N-benzyl and N-allyl isatin-oximes as potent antitumor agents’. Through this collaboration, I was able to evaluate their cytotoxic effects and mechanisms using MTT and flow cytometry techniques. This research also marked my first foray into molecular docking, specifically employing Autodock Vina for investigating the inhibitory impact of these isatin-oximes on potential cancer targets such as c-Jun N-Terminal kinase 3, cyclin-dependent kinase 2, and interleukin 2-inducible T-cell kinase. Additionally, I employed in-silico methods to predict the pharmacokinetic properties of these compounds. These concurrent research projects resulted in the publication of two posters in the prestigious 23rd Iranian Pharmacy Students Seminar and subsequent inclusion in the Iranian Pharmacy Students Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. Stemming from these experiences, I gradually developed a fascination with in-silico studies, which further deepened as I refined my skills working under the guidance of Dr. Mehdi Khoshneviszadeh. Utilizing various molecular docking and visualization tools including Autodock, GOLD, Chimera, Sybyl, Pymol, DiscoveryStudio, and MOE has substantially enriched my proficiency in this domain.

Driven by a strong passion for research, I have consistently sought opportunities to expand my knowledge and skills within the realm of pharmaceutical science. Presently, I am actively engaged in coursework focused on siRNA knockdown and pharmacogenetics, which has greatly enhanced my understanding of cutting-edge techniques encompassing gene silencing and personalized medicine. This academic pursuit has served to reinforce my resolute ambition of pursuing a PhD in translational science, where I can collaborate seamlessly with a diverse team of researchers to bridge the gap between laboratory discoveries and their meaningful applications within clinical and industrial settings. Meticulously, I intend to delve into research areas concerning novel targets for pain management, specifically neuropathic pain, as well as computational drug design within the field of neuroscience. Consequently, I am driven to seek guidance and mentorship from Professor Dr. Yu Shin Kim, whose area of expertise harmoniously aligns with my research interests and professional aspirations.

By virtue of my pharmacy education, research experience, computational modeling background and desire for continuous learning and improvement, I am well-qualified for the PhD in Translational Science program at the University of Texas Health Science San Antonio and I am keen to combine my practical and theoretical knowledge in my research. I have been most impressed by the research projects being conducted by Prof. Yu Shin Kim’s research group, which are well-aligned with my research background and interests. I humbly request the opportunity to demonstrate my capabilities and assure you that I am not only capable of meeting your expectations but also surpassing them.
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