I chose therefore, to work towards an academic career. Prior to my junior year at Caltech, questions regarding my career direction had never arisen. I had been in an accelerated program ever since middle school. I chose to deal with this dilemma by finding out what my real interest in science was based upon. By focusing on the science rather than on peripheral concerns I rediscovered what I found exciting about academia.
Scientific knowledge allows a minor result now to serve as the foundation for a major result later.
Knowing that the work I do can contribute to a group research effort has helped reignite my energy and enthusiasm for science. Moreover, I value the intellectual freedom that comes with basic scientific research, a freedom that is not available in more product-oriented industrial research. Therefore, I believe I can work most productively and make the greatest contribution in a research institution. I plan to use the doctoral degree I hope to obtain at TSRI, therefore, to continue into a career in academics. My specific objective is to engage in pure scientific research in biological chemistry, particularly as it relates to macromolecular function and protein design.