Rina Shah
Class of 2001- Present
Union Hill H.S. + Rutgers University
Topic: Isolation, Detection, and Cellular & Molecular Characterization of Circulating Sin Tumor Cells from Cancer Patients
About:
My most intellectually and emotionally fulfilling activity was conducting medical research at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center because it enabled me to understand my younger sister’s illness and realize how medical research can be applied to help mankind. How often do you encounter a 16-year-old high school student eagerly awaiting her summer vacation so that she can start volunteering at a hospital?
I spent two successive high school summers volunteering at Sloan-Kettering, a prominent medical hospital in NY. My project focused on the isolation and detection of circulating cancer cells found in lung cancer and thyroid cancer patients. I worked on the development of a new technique that enables early detection of cancer cells using Immunomagnetic Beads using the theory of antibodies and antigen. I spent long hours working at the lab, but I enjoyed my research because it enabled me to gain a better understanding of my younger sister’s illness – ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory bowel disease that may lead to colon cancer.
At Sloan-Kettering, I was able for the first time to conduct medical research. I spent numerous hours utilizing novel techniques to isolate and detect circulating tumor cells. Although I worked late nights and even on weekends, I knew that this is what I wanted to do. I never thought I would be interested in lab work, but after this experience, I am determined to become a researcher. This research made me more curious and passionate about medicine. Most importantly, it made me more hopeful of my sister’s future.
I am very grateful that I was given the chance to volunteer at Sloan-Kettering because in enabled me to return to the community what my parents have instilled in me – hard work, determination, and pride for who I am. My achievement has had a major beneficial impact in my community because it enables early diagnosis for cancer patients, thus allowing treatment to be assessed and available much sooner. Moreover, although I only worked with lung cancer, breast cancer, and thyroid cancer, the techniques I used can be applied for the molecular characterization of all circulating solid tumor cells, including colon cancer. Earlier detection of cancer would help Assess, Stratify, and Design Targeted Therapy for the Cancer Patient.
Ever since I was a little girl, medicine has always been my passion. Knowing that I will be helping others makes pursuing medicine more than just a goal; it is a dream. Although most careers influence many lives, medicine seems to be one of the most prominent fields because everyone is affected by it. I want to pursue a career as a medical researcher because I enjoyed working at Sloan-Kettering. I feel it is important for people to give back to the community what they have taken, so by contributing to medical advancements I will be returning the favor. I am confident that my research experiences have provided me with a better insight into my future career. Moreover, I believe that through perseverance I will achieve even more.