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Olivia Smith

535

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Finalist

Bio

I wanted a higher education because I have carving for expanding my knowledge. In the start of my college career I went in thinking that I would become a Neuroscientist, with high effort and ambition I joined a Neuroscience lab in my second year at CMU. With everyday experience, I learn something new and apply it to my research. During my time in lab, I have narrowed down my passion to be a pharmaceutical neuroscientist that works specifically with Glioblastoma and Parkinson’s. One reason that I want to expand the research with Parkinson’s is because my grandparents on both sides have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s. I have seen the effect of it firsthand and want to expand the knowledge of the scientific community on ways to prevent/help and treat Parkinson’s.

Education

Central Michigan University

Bachelor's degree program
2020 - 2024
  • Majors:
    • Psychology, General
    • Neurobiology and Neurosciences
  • Minors:
    • Chemistry

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Doctoral degree program (PhD, MD, JD, etc.)

  • Graduate schools of interest:

  • Transfer schools of interest:

  • Majors of interest:

  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Research

    • Dream career goals:

      Pharmaceutical Neuroscientist

    • Sales Associate

      Tj Maxx
      2022 – Present2 years
    • Sales Associate

      Bed Bath and Beyond
      2019 – 20223 years

    Sports

    Bodybuilding

    Club
    2022 – Present2 years

    Research

    • Neurobiology and Neurosciences

      Central Michigan University — Undergraduate Researcher
      2021 – Present

    Public services

    • Volunteering

      CMU Paws — Head Leader
      2021 – 2022

    Future Interests

    Advocacy

    Volunteering

    Philanthropy

    Dynamic Edge Women in STEM Scholarship
    One of my favorite advancements in technology within the Neuroscience field is the findings of CRISPER-Cas9. CRISPER was the turning point for gene editing technology, first reported back in 2011/2012 and since have made an appearance in laboratories across the world. Jennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier are the two female scientist that discovered the game changing gene editing tool, and since have won the 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. By using this type of technology, scientist have been able to slice the DNA in specific sections to select mutations out from the DNA. It originated within the works of bacteria and archaea to extract the gene sequence that was responsible for preventing infections from phages. Now the technology has been amplified to work on animal and human cells. CRISPER-Cas9 allows prokaryotic cells to recognize precise genetic sequence of the target gene to where it can be isolated and further inspected. This kind of technology can have many beneficial uses for more than just bacteria and gene isolation. It has started to make an appearance within the agriculture fields as it can be used to make more sustainable plants for food. Also being used within the field of medicine to locate the genes of other deadly diseases. Although this discovery has been astronomical within the gene editing oriented fields, there is still room to improve CRISPTER-Cas9. As my goal of becoming a pharmaceutical neuroscientist, having this technology applicable will aid with my occupational goals. I have used this technique within my own lab research at Central Michigan University. Working with Glioblastoma cancer cells, my lab has been able to shorten the region of where on the DNA sequence Glioblastoma has the potential to be. In my future research, I will be applying this sequence to narrow down on the gene that regulates Parkinson’s, hoping to advance the knowledge and treatment of the disease. As my grandparents on both sides have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s, it really gives me determination and strive to create something that could benefit society. By isolating these genes, it could benefit the time and resources that it would originally take to make advancements and treatments for these diseases. With the gene isolated, I could research different treatments for these diseases by seeing the effect it would have amongst the isolated genes. By having this advancement, it opens the door to new research that can allow for humans to live a heather, more knowable life.