Career Goals:

I would like to pursue a career in pediatric health and eventually become a pediatrician. I love children and I have noticed that many children are often deprived of a basic health standard from early on in their lives, such as lack of immunizations or proper check-ups due to financial issues or an underprivileged background. I would like to become a pediatrician to prevent these kinds of events from occurring.

What did you learn from this course?

I learned about the existence of the microbiome, and how the body’s many systems work together in a larger system. If one thing is disrupted somewhere in the body, it can cause a spiral or domino effect which then damages the other parts of the body as well. This way of thinking of the body systems and inner bacterial environment was very new and informative to me.

What advice do you have for future Ambassadors?

My advice for future Ambassadors is to remain engaged in lectures and ask plenty of questions; whether that be of guest speakers or the class instructors, as it is crucial to completely understand each topic before moving on to the next. You can’t be a successful Ambassador if you don’t fully comprehend the issues yourself.

Who/What inspired this project?

Dr. Alison Kudla’s presentation about integrating art with science introduced me to an experiment done by a group called Genomic Gastronomy, who tested air quality in Bangalore. I was inspired to recreate their experiment in various urban areas in Seattle to bring the very serious issue of air pollution to attention. Most Seattle citizens are unaware of the severity of air pollution in this state, so I believe that this was an effective and interactive way to raise awareness.