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Ayla Thelen

185

Bold Points

1x

Finalist

Education

Pewamowestphalia Middlehigh School

High School
2020 - 2025

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Master's degree program

  • Majors of interest:

    • Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology
  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Pharmaceuticals

    • Dream career goals:

      John Young 'Pursue Your Passion' Scholarship
      When I was eight years old, I was diagnosed with Panhypopituitarism, a rare condition where my pituitary gland doesn’t produce essential hormones. This means that I have to take several medications to replace what my body can’t make on its own. Even though these medications do a pretty good job, they don’t fully replace the hormones I’m missing. Many of them also come with side effects like severe acid reflux, heart palpitations, and heat intolerance. To deal with these new problems, I had to take even more medications, which makes everything even more complicated. Growing up with Panhypopituitarism has been really challenging, but it’s also shaped my dreams for the future. There aren’t many people working on improving treatments for conditions like mine because it’s so rare. That’s why I’ve decided to go into pharmaceutical science. I want to understand the science behind the medications I take and use that knowledge to help create new and better treatments. My goal is to make life easier for people like me who deal with rare conditions. I’ve lived through the frustration of managing side effects and dealing with treatments that don’t work perfectly. I want to change that. By studying pharmaceutical science, I hope to be part of developing new medicines that are more effective and have fewer side effects. I believe that with the right research and innovation, we can make a real difference for people who struggle with rare diseases. To achieve this, I plan to dive deep into the chemistry and biology of drugs. I’m excited about the idea of working on research that focuses on rare endocrine disorders and finding ways to improve treatments. My personal experience with Panhypopituitarism gives me a unique perspective that drives my passion. I’ve seen firsthand how hard it can be to live with a rare condition, and I want to use that understanding to advocate for better treatments. My journey has shown me that there’s a big need for more research and innovation in this area, and I’m determined to be a part of that change. In conclusion, my goal is to turn my personal struggles into something positive for others. I want to make a meaningful impact in the field of pharmaceutical science and improve the lives of people dealing with rare conditions like mine. By working hard and staying focused on my dreams, I hope to help create a future where managing rare diseases is much easier and more effective.