5 Things That Give Me My Inspiration
When your family is on food stamps, the prospect of going to college seems like only just a dream. I remember the day I got that fateful envelope from the Ford Family Foundation Scholarship in which I was awarded a full-ride scholarship to any university in the beautiful state of Oregon plus two years at any US grad school. The Ford Foundation Scholarship only selects 100 students out of 5,500 applicants that apply every year, that’s a 2% acceptance rate. I cried. I danced. I called my parents. They cried and danced too. It was a dream come true. I didn't think I could ever afford to go to the amazing University of Portland. Yet here I am, earning two degrees at once in Biology and Philosophy, doing neuroscience research with primate-models at OHSU, kicking-ass, toiling with Grignard reactions in organic chemistry, and I love every minute of it— yes even the times in organic chemistry too, surprisingly. And, boy, looking back do I realize how incredibly lucky that I was inspired from a young age.
When I was younger I attended a famous high school in Oregon known for its outrageous dropout rates. I remember looking out at the audience during one of our school assemblies, and I see myself in one of those seats. Many of these kids there were like me, raised in a city its own natives dubbed “Hillsburrito” (Hillsboro), a place where I think it’s fair to say that doing medical research is not exactly the most popular hobby. (Although the burritos were indeed awesome). If I could tell a slightly younger Julie— and by transitive property, any high schooler in that assembly— one thing, I would remind her of the lesson my parents taught me. That’s the key to turn a spark into a fiery inspiration.
1. Just plain science!
Science is freaking awesome. It sounds kinda cheesy, but I love it for what it is and how it can help so many people. Too often we get so absorbed in the material gains of science — expensive miracle drugs, shiny new gizmos — that we forget about why science is significant independent of these things. I want to remind people how fascinating our world is, and how science gives us access to so much of it. I want to create my own flavor of science and share it with the people around me.
2. Being baffled
I love being baffled. Being stupefied. Confused. Not knowing the answer. That’s what real science is about. It’s a rough draft that’s a constant, working progress. In school, we have this trend to just focus on what’s already been discovered. But it’s not about how many facts you can regurgitate or how your grades compare to others. Of course, that’s also important — we definitely need surgeons who can tell a liver from a kidney, and we need bridges that don’t break because somebody forgot a minus sign — but for me, the really cool stuff is the stuff that no one’s figured out yet. The stuff that can impact lives. Discovery doesn't begin with pre-existing knowledge— it begins with asking questions and being baffled.
3. The Impact
Compassion changes people. It reassures and nurtures. Compassion impacts lives and it’s my driving force in life. I remember how I was outside the hospital one day, taking a break on a small bench when I saw an old lady sit down next to me. In one hand, she held a cellphone and I couldn't help but overhear her conversation: “I’m so tired, I've been coming to this hospital for the past month because my husband is in a coma and he won’t stop bleeding! It’s so hard for me because of my multiple-sclerosis and the bus is an hour one way. I know I should be resting, but he’s my husband!” In her other hand I saw her hold something, a tissue that was balled up, clearly used, but her foggy spectacles hid any tears that I could see. Say something Julie, I told myself. So I did. “You have amazing courage to do what you’re doing.” She started to weep. Wow look what you've done! Was that really the only thing I can say? I wondered if what I said was optimal or offensive. A few minutes later of silence, I got up to return to my shift, mentally chastising myself for not being more empathetic. “Wait!” she shouted. But before I could take another step she embraced me. I returned her hug and felt a peck on my head. “You’ll make a kind doctor someday,” she said smiling, “thank you, it means a lot.” Compassion goes a long way. It’s not just about helping random old ladies, but it’s the reason why I want to become a physician-scientist in the first place. Compassion is my fuel for science.
4. Teachers and mentors.
Sparks are super contagious. I got mine from my wonderful middle-school teacher who first believed in me, Eric Crites, as well as great mentors, Dr. Elinor Sullivan, Dr. Kristina Haley, Dr. Su Thep, Dr. Mary Tanski, and many others. Without their constant support and encouragement, I wouldn't even know what science was, much less how to do it. Some of these people were physicians who have taught me the importance of combining compassion and empathy with my work, a crucial recipe in reaching my fullest potential. This is part of the reason why I want to go into the field of medicine. If I can inspire in just one person a hundredth of a percent of what others have inspired in me, it will all be worth it.
5. My parents.
When I was little, my parents encouraged me to play with toys and read books even if my age didn't fall into the range on the little sticker. They never pressured me to get ahead of my classmates, instead, they were teaching me a lesson: I didn't have to limit myself to what everyone else thought I should do. They also taught me to not compete with my friends because that’ll only lead to jealousy and cause unhappiness. Just do you, do what makes you happy.
