Osteogenesis Imperfecta Personal Statement

I have always been fascinated with the human brain and its ability to control all that we do. My interest only grew after I saw my first human brain specimen on the anatomy dissection table and closely examined the small but brilliant structures on that cadaver brain. It was then I knew I wanted to pursue a career that allowed me to learn all I could about this powerful organ. Just prior to medical school I had witnessed the devastating effects of Alzhiemer’s disease on a family member and saw first-hand how the lack of information about the etiology of this disease and the limited amount of breakthroughs about the treatment to stop or reverse its progression provided care difficult. A neurology residency would help provide me with an excellent opportunity to learn the intricacies of the brain and spinal cord. It would also provide me opportunities to participate in valuable research projects that may one day provide the level of insight about neurological diseases that my family wanted to know.

The mission of the Neuroscience Service Line is “to provide excellent comprehensive and innovative patient care and access for all Neurological and Spinal Disorders.” The Vision is “to be the premier Neuroscience Center in the Southeast and nation leader in innovative Neurological and Neurosurgical care with global recognition and timely access.” The NSICU offers innovative, comprehensive care for patients with neurological disorders while advancing treatment and mechanisms of neurological diseases, disorders, and injuries of the brain and spinal cord. An integrative approach is used that combines multiple clinical disciplines and extensive research to provide the best possible, evidence-based, health care. Tim Porter-O’Grady mentions, "not only must we close the door on the old models of health delivery and clinical work, but they must turn around and face the future, viewing the entire landscape to develop a workable vision", (Porter-O’Grady & Malloch, 2015, p. 11) this concept is evident at

Through experiencing social injustices, and making myself more culturally aware of inequality amongst social classes, I believe I have cultivated the leadership skills necessary for success. My willingness to reach out to the environment beyond me has exposed me to a career path that excites me and is my true passion. I plan to take action to improve the lives of the defenseless and those who are politically and socially disadvantaged. Through utilizing what I have learned by dedicating my time to service I know that I will truly make an impact on the lives of the helpless. During my years attending university I plan to continue a rigorous course load focused on a career path that truly intrigues me. I also plan on continuing to dedicate my free time to service and philanthropy. Overall, I have dedicated my high school career to becoming a leader in and out of the classroom. I hope that by attending University of Texas-Austin I will be able to utilize the resources provided to become a leader prepared to make worldwide change, continue on a path of academic achievement, and create a successful future not only for myself, but for those in generations to come as

Osteopetrosis is a rare, genetic disease that causes extremely dense and brittle bones. This is because individuals affected with osteopetrosis do not have normal osteoclasts, which bones need to work correctly. Healthy bones require properly functioning osteoblasts and osteoclasts. Osteoblasts are responsible for making new bones and osteoclasts are bone cells that are responsible for bone resorption, which is the breaking down of bones and providing space for new bone marrow to grow. An individual with osteopetrosis has osteoclasts that do not function properly, therefore their bones are not healthy (Stocks, Wang, Thompson, Stocks, & Horwitz, 1998).

In recent years there have been many ground breaking discoveries in the scientific world. However I personally believe that there is a lot more which can be done in the field of neuroscience, this is due to the fact that we have a worldwide problem with many neurological diseases such as dementia, ADHD, and of course Alzheimer’s disease. My interest in neuroscience was discovered in year 9 when my biology teacher showed us a documentary about Alzheimer’s disease, from there on I was fascinated by the brain. The opportunity to combine my scientific understanding with the structure of the nervous system makes neuroscience an exciting prospect to me.

Osteogenesis imperfecta is a group of genetic disorders that mainly affect the bones. The term "osteogenesis imperfecta" means imperfect bone formation. People that suffer from this condition have bones that break or fracture easily; also giving it its more well-known name “brittle bone disease”. These bone fractures often occur from mild trauma or even with no apparent cause. There are eight recognized forms of osteogenesis imperfecta, they range from type I to type VIII. The types can be differentiated by their signs and symptoms, although the main characteristic features overlap between each other. Type I is the mildest form while type II is the most severe form of Osteogenesis imperfecta; the other types of this

The brain is one of the most fascinating organs of the body because it is the control center of the body. In 2009 my older sister suffered from a brain hemorrhage and I was shocked to see her hooked up to so many machines. However, it is a miracle that she has recovered almost 100 percent and from then on, I developed a passion for learning more about the brain. By attending SNP, I hope to gain insight on the decision making process and exactly what occurs in the brain that makes each of us who we are. In addition, the program will widen my perspective on neuroscience and allow me to learn more that will set me on a more focused path to achieve my goal of becoming a medical professional in the future. I believe that SNP will not only provide

Melissa’s arm was x-rayed and results revealed a fracture of the left humerus. After being questioned extensively by the hospital social worker, Lisa was informed that Melissa was being removed from her custody because they believed that either Lisa or her husband, Barry, was responsible for the arm fracture. To further complicate the situation, additional x-rays that were done while Melissa was in the state’s custody showed “old” fractures of her ribs. Baffled, depressed and now separated from her husband, Lisa began researching what could’ve possibly caused Melissa’s fractures. She stumbled upon a rare genetic disorder called Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI), or Brittle Bone Disease.

I like most people have to overcome challenges in my life, my challenge is my bone condition, Osteogensis Imperfecta (OI). I didn't develop OI overnight, this bone condition is a mutation in the making for type one collagen that I inherited. I have inherited this genetic condition from my dad. His inheritance is unknown. Osteogensis Imperfecta causes my bones to be more fragile and break, and I will be affected by this challenge my whole lifetime. OI causes collagen and other tissues to be a low 'supply' for my body. In this time in history there is no cure.

I have always been a firm believer in self-exploration and diversification. Though I started my medical career in Pakistan, I moved to US to learn and experience the medical distinction. I started appreciating the value of evidence-based medicine and best practice guidelines in the western medicine. I always desired to be a critical care physician. I got chance to learn and experience Neurocritical Care for the first time at UNM. This experience facilitated my special interest in Neuroscience. Recently, I completed my basic training in Neurology and am one step closer to my fundamental goal of getting the best available training in Neurocritical

I am interested in the soars program, because I love helping people; especially the young ones. The young ones are the future! It is the adults’ job to show them something that will help them in life. If not home then elsewhere. I never had a good influence to further or let alone someone encouraging me along the way. Therefore, I want to offer something I never had, whether it’s from encouragement to inspirational. Day by day many of us struggle to live, especially the youth. They go from peer pressure to trying to “fit in” any bad move can be life threating and then right before you know it, it’s over. I want to show the young ones that the college path is the right path no matter how they look at it. Futhermore, being part of the Soars program

Have you ever watched a video from the kid president? Do you know the character named Brick in the show “The Middle”? The boys who star in these shows both have something in common. They have osteogenesis imperfecta (OI). It is also known as brittle bone disease or Lobstein syndrome. OI causes the bones to be so brittle that even small movements or impacts can cause a break. These breaks are what often causes the diagnosis to come about. It can also cause the whites of a person’s eyes to turn blue and can cause hearing loss. It’s obvious that the condition can also cause chronic pain, bone deformity, small stature, spinal curvature and depression.

Osteogenesis Imperfecta, a genetic disorder that is characterized by visible pathologic change’s in tissues that contain Type 1 collagen, this substance plays a major role in the strength and composition of connective tissue throughout the body. The defect is seen on the gene that is responsible for Type 1 collagen production; it may affect either qualitative or quantitative aspects of collagen production and reduction. Previously, the majority of OI cases were considered either autosomal dominant or autosomal recessive, but it is now known that the mutation originate from autosomal dominant. These mutations may either be inherited through genetics or new mutations that occur after conception. If a parent has an inherited mutation there

Osteogenesis Imperfecta is a disorder that results in fragile bones that break easily. Many tend to think that it can be developed at any given time, but it only develops in children who have had the disease embedded in the family's past, along with defective genes. These genetic abnormalities reduce the amount of type I collagen produced in the body, which causes bones to be brittle, weak and fracture/break easily.

have always known I want to work with children, but for a long time I have been stuck trying to figure out just what I wanted to do with them. In school, I have always been drawn to science classes, but Psychology class last year was where I finally discovered that I have a huge passion for Psychology and Neuroscience. By high school graduation I will have attended my state's Brain Bee three times. At these Bees I had the opportunity to tour and learn about sleep labs, labs researching Alzheimer's and many more, making me become even more mesmerized by both the biological and cognitive aspects of Neuroscience. I hope to follow this passion and study Biology and Psychology on a pre-med track at Cornell.