As the fiery pillar of smoke climbed ever faster towards the night sky, I stood mouth agape at age five as I watched the launch of the Discovery Space Shuttle in Cape Canaveral, birthing my fascination with the depths of space. At age eighteen, my sense of purpose was clearer than ever in a high school classroom while watching footage of the spacewalk mission to repair the Hubble Space Telescope, an inspiration for me to pursue higher education in engineering with aspirations of becoming an astronaut. By age twenty three, I had been working at my first full time job as an engineer for the Department of Defense for nearly a year when I unexpectedly failed a flight physical due to minor, yet untreatable, health conditions. Now, realizing that my chances of becoming an astronaut are beyond my control, my reasoning for undertaking graduate work is to enable myself to contribute to a field that ultimately helps others do the things their bodies keep them from doing. I want to help put those people back in control of doing the things they dream to do. …show more content…
As a recent graduate from Old Dominion University with a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering and a minor in Physics, I possess the academic background necessary to qualify me continue my education. Though a majority of my courses during undergrad focused on power systems and electromagnetics, I also completed multiple courses in bioelectrics in addition to my required engineering and math classes. These courses served as a strong introduction into the interdisciplinary relationship between engineering and the medical field and thus peaked my initial interest in biomedical engineering. My specific interests include nanomedicine, neuroengineering and brain-computer
With his help, Canada became known for so much more and the CSA became a much popular and recognized agency. Moreover, his findings through the experimental procedures his crew and he performed, aided in Canada gaining more knowledge about outer space and it’s impact on the human body. It’s not everyday that someone amounts to such greatness. However, Chris Hadfield proved that there is no such thing as limitations if you put your heart into what you’re doing. His legacy encourages young people to soar high and follow their dreams. Chris claimed many Canadian firsts during his decorated career- resulting in Canadians feeling pride towards their nation and having hope for more achievements from Canadians further on. Chris Hadfield created a hope and an ambition to continue the Canadian legacy and show the world how amazing our nation truly is. He displayed bravery and confidence in his training through various difficulties and issues during his missions in space such as the time ammonia was leaking through the ISS platform’s cooling system. He changed the way people looked at space travel and contributed significantly to scientific findings, which would shape the knowledge and practice of space travel for Canadians and the world in future missions. Chris Hadfield dedicated the better part of his life to astronomical endeavors and accomplishments- which hopefully will result in smarter
Today, ‘astronaut’ is a common career heard when children are asked what they want to be when they grow up. However, this was not the case in the early 20th century or even in the 1950s. The reason for this change was the space race, an extension of the Cold War between the Soviet Union and the United States for superiority of space technology. It all started in October 1957 when Russia launched Sputnik I, the first artificial satellite, into orbit. The launch of Sputnik shocked the American public and brought about the beginnings of the space age, eventually leading to the founding of National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the launch of Explorer I, and finally a man on the moon. Although the moon landing ended the space race,
Story Musgrave is a motivational speaker who speaks out to crowds about his experiences as an “astronaut, marine, surgeon, scientist and literary critic.” . “Story's NASA astronaut experience fuels his passion to instill innovation, creativity, leadership and teamwork skills”. Musgrave delivers his lectures from the Amphitheatre to small
At a time when it was popular practice for kids growing up in my country to aspire to become doctors, lawyers and engineers, for no rational reasons owing to naiveté that comes with such tender ages, I had known I wanted to save lives. I just didn’t know in what capacity it would be. I can safely say that I grew up faster than most children my age, I had known what it meant to lose a father at six, I had seen an aunt die of what they said was cancer at ten. I had also known the frustration of not being able to do anything to save both. And of course, I couldn’t have. I am a grown man now, equipped with the rationality that comes with education, and most importantly the informed will to save the world. And I have found an important tool in Medical Physics.
“WANTED: Astronauts for Flight to Callisto”, the sign that caught my eye as I walk passed the front desk at the NASA Ames Research Center hoping for an internship. This must be really expensive and it does not seem like there is a limit to how many astronauts they are looking for. It is also surprising that I only have to pay $1000 to sign up as long as I do not have a criminal record or any suspicious reason to leave the planet. The fine print warns applicants of possible risks during the mission. But with my knowledge of the Earth and Space Sciences, I will know most of the effects of space flight to astronauts during a mission and so I am positive that I can survive this flight no matter what happens.
My inclination for the sciences started to be evident during my first years of high school; however, the dreams of being a “scientist” seem far from being reached when growing up in a third world country. When I came to the United States, I faced not only a whole new world of opportunities, but I also encountered the difficulties of a language barrier and a cultural gap. Throughout my last years of high school and my first year of college, my preference for the sciences, specifically Biology and Chemistry became clearer. Neuroscience had always been in the back of my head, and it was here, at Wake Forest University, during the first semester of my second year that I took my first Neuroscience class together with a lab on the subject. Two classes
After reading the story Mr. Burton himself decided to learn how to fly a plane as he took a trip to his local airport and showed how easy and enjoyable it was to fly to be up in the sky thousands of feet, leaving footprints in the clouds having an experience unlike no other my fascination quickly turned into love and it was at that moment I wanted to become was an airplane pilot. That very soon developed and decided indefinitely in the 4th grade that I was going to become an astronaut coupled with the fact that I live only miles away from Space Coast I was fortunate to watch each liftoff, those ambitions are still prominent today however not too long ago they have canceled the space exploration program and my dream of becoming an astronaut was put on standby since then I became a very adept designer and enjoy advance math and architecture which opened the door for Aeronautical and aerospace engineering I have a natural appreciation of this subject and very well know that Princeton university statistically has the best Engineering program in the country with many notable alumni’s graduating from that field and have no doubt they will use my passion as fuel to aid me in learning the skills I need to become
Some people think that space exploration has no values, but according to John Kennedy “ So research in space medicine holds the promise of substantial benefit for those of us who are earthbound.” This evidence shows that people may think that space exploration doesn’t have values but it could tremendously help us with medical research. JFK made another valid point stating that “ Whatever the difficulties, they will be overcome.” This information shows that it may become difficult at times and that may make people want to quit but that should make them strive to get better and get the job
Kevin Jr is beginning to get bigger and bigger by each day. He’s also learning new skills everyday as well. During this time period he is about to begin school which we are all super nervous but happy for. Our family is continuing to grow as well as me we have introduced another child in the world, April. I’m thrilled to see how Kevin Jr reacts towards another baby in the house while he’s continuing to grow and develop!
After years of visiting and volunteering in the hospital, I grew a string affinity towards the hospital dynamic and the healthcare fields. Because of my extensive study of the biological sciences, I found a great interest in the field of neuroscience especially in relation to children. After matriculation through Spelman College, I hope to enter a MD/PhD program and ultimately become a pediatric neurosurgeon who conducts research on neurodegenerative disease in adolescents. While studying at Stanford, I would able to further fuel my interest in the field of neuroscience. Facilities like the Nueroclinics and the neuroscience institute offer a very focused avenue for academic exploration.
But American presence in space is not just a power play; the scientific and technological benefits of space exploration remain its most invaluable quality. In the past, space initiatives have yielded countless meteorological benefits, including the prediction and management of hurricanes and other natural disasters. Surveillance, mass banking and communication, military intelligence, and environmental studies are all areas expanded through American space presence (Dubner n.p.). Not to mention the medical advances: Joan Vernikos, a member of the Space Studies Board of the National Academy and former director of NASA’s Life Sciences Division, notes, “Studying humans living in the microgravity of space has expanded our understanding of osteoporosis and balance disorders, and has led to new treatments” (Dubner 13). Space travel has also aided in the invention of medical technology. The beneficiaries of instrumentation such as digital mammography, outpatient breast biopsy procedures, and the application of telemedicine to emergency care can thank manned space missions for their current implementation. For every dollar we spend on the space program, the U.S. economy receives about $8 of economic benefit, according to Hubbard, who also believes space travel “serves as a stimulus for children to enter the fields of science and engineering” (Dubner).
“Science and experimentation drives job creation, produces economic growth… The Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs added considerably to America’s national honor, fostered countrywide spirit of and attracted countless children into careers in math and science” (Source E). Technology through NASA has frequently pushed the brilliant minds of America, and when upcoming generations witness the successful achievements they too feel obligated to make those devices more efficient, user friendly, and cheaper. These highly intelligent scientist are setting the standard for adolescent innovative minds and this organization not only promotes scientific inquiries, but moves future generations to become better than their
Neil Tyson once said, “The day we stop exploring is the day we commit ourselves to live in a stagnant world, devoid curiosity, and empty of dreams.” Over the last fifty years, humans have been able to circle the world, walk on the moon, and visit all the planets in our solar system. In those five decades, NASA has successfully launched over 100 manned flights, with only two ending in failure. Yet, the question still remains. “Are major explorations worth the risk?” With the technological, and medical knowledge that we have today, indeed, explorations are worth a shot.
I am an architect and owner of the firm, Shan McNaughton, Inc. My firm designs a variety of projects types such as custom residential office buildings, historic preservation, adaptive use, and outpatient medical clinics. Andrew has worked very closely with me for the past three years. Throughout that period his work ethic, force of personality, and sharp scientific mind have been of incalculable importance to the success of my business. I am writing today to offer my highest recommention that Andrew Keldgord be admitted to the school of medicine for the 2016 class.
From an early age, I have been fascinated by how things work. It seems, listening to family, that I was never satisfied with a simple answer that machine runs on power; but always wanted to know more. As I completed my undergraduate education in ________, I became more and more interested in pursuing an advanced degree in Biomedical Engineering. My well-rounded educational pursuits thus far have served me well, engineering complimented by a sound background in the humanities and hard sciences. I have, though, a robust passion to learn more, to hone my skills even more in a field that has simply exploded over the past decade biomedical engineering.