Grace is an undergraduate at the National University of Singapore. She is pursuing a Bachelor of Science Degree in Life Sciences, concentrating in Biomedical Sciences. Her interest in science was piqued in secondary school, when she was selected from among her schoolmates to present her project on diagnostic immunology to teachers from other schools. Her passion in science has propelled her to want to share her knowledge and enthusiasm in science with others. During her stint as a relief teacher, she was attached to the science department, where she was trained to communicate scientific concepts to students through preparing lectures and facilitating science experiments. She also participated in the MOE Excel Fest 2006, where she put together a presentation on DNA for the 2-day event and shared ideas with teachers and parents on creative ways to kindle the students’ interest in science.
Besides developing herself academically in the area of science, Grace is also active in pursuing her other interests, as she believes in having a holistic personal development. She is an avid tennis player and has represented her school to participate in inter-school tennis tournaments. Her enthusiasm in tennis also gained her a position as a secretary of her secondary school tennis team and vice-captain of her junior college tennis team, allowing her to hone her leadership skills. She also volunteered to help out in the national schools debate competition because she enjoys learning from the debaters and watching their exchange of ideas. Grace continually enriches herself through self-improvement courses in NUS, in addition to her studies, because she sees learning as a process, not an end.
Giving to others as much as she has received herself is the basis for Grace’s involvement in various community projects, and her service in various capacities in Church and in a Christian organization in school. Her strong principles and beliefs stem from her faith.
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This is an impressive autobiographical statement, Grace, because it details clearly the various ways that you have excelled and it shows what talent you have to offer to your community. Very impressive!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this with us, and best of luck in your future!
Grace,
ReplyDeleteVery insightful biodata, especially on how you got interested in Life Sciences, or rather Biomedical Sciences. What do you plan to do when you graduate? A research analyst? pathologist? or teacher?
Just out of curiosity, I know that you are actively involved in church activities, and I can safely say that you are a strong Christian. What is your take on research fields such as stem cell research etc.?
Hmmm...future career...Let's see...maybe a research analyst, maybe a teacher, maybe a pathologist, maybe a science centre exhibit explainer like what I applied for in my job application letter, sharing my knowledge of science with others. Or maybe work in the Church.:) My answer for now, "I don't know". I don't know what tomorrow will bring, but I know Who holds tomorrow. And today I'll walk beside Him, for He knows what is ahead.:)
ReplyDeleteAbout stem cell research, I seriously haven’t given too much thought to it maybe because I have yet to encounter it so I can only briefly touch on it based on what I know about my faith and stem cell research. Please note that my opinions are by no means representative of the whole Christian community because to each God has given a Spirit of discernment.
So, before we go into the ethical issue of stem cell research, we need to distinguish between adult stem cells and embryonic stem cells. Adult stem cells are obtained from living bone marrow, blood, brain tissue, skin, and body fat, umbilical-cord blood and the placenta. Embryonic stem cells are derived from human embryos. In order to harvest embryonic stem cells, an embryo must be destroyed. The bible teaches that human existence begins at conception. The international consensus of embryologists agrees with Scripture in that life begins at fertilization. At the moment of conception, the embryo is 100 percent human, with all 46 human chromosomes and a fully functioning, unique genetic code. Thus, researching on embryonic stem cells requires the destruction of a living human being, which is not morally right. On the other hand, research on adult stem cells does not require the loss of life and they are also relatively versatile and well-established, and may be the better option of the two.
However, embryonic stem cells have certain advantages over adult stem cells and this is where some may tend to argue for it. The good news for us is that it has been shown recently in principle that adult stem cell lines can be manipulated to generate embryonic-like stem cell lines using a single-cell biopsy that may allow stem cell creation without embryonic destruction. Hopefully, in time to come, this will be proven successful experimentally, so that there will no longer be this ethical issue over embryonic stem cell research. Therefore, it is not the entire field of stem cell research, but the specific field of human embryonic stem cell research that is at the centre of an ethical debate. Although embryonic stem cell research is controversial, research on adult stem cells is a legitimate field of study.
Hope this answers your question! Feel free to leave your opinions too!:)
This is a very detailed response to CK's questions, clarifying your position on a much discussed issue. Thank you, Grace. I appreciate this sort of "sincere communication" in cyberspace.
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