Need someone to review my SOP for my masters in molec cell bio! Thanks :)
My only goal after my high school graduation was to continue going where my curiosity led me. That decision steered me into moving internationally to pursue my bachelor’s in biotechnology at the [University] before it led me to Tampa where I began working as a Research Assistant at [institution]. Unlike my peers, I never had a solid plan from the very beginning, yet the right opportunities continued to find me while I found more and more passion with every day that I was met with something new. One of these opportunities included becoming a lead Immunology lab and lecture Teacher’s Assistant under the supervision of Professor [Name] who, despite not being a Principal Investigator himself, ignited research questions within me unlike any other class or lab had before. I was a Teacher’s Assistant for a majority of my undergraduate career; it shaped me into an individual who is both well-versed in the field of immunology and adept in asking the important questions when it came to science. I believe that my unique experience being a TA set me up for success and immediately distinguished me from peers when stepping into the workplace after graduation.
Another opportunity that found me is my current position as a research assistant under the supervision of Dr. [Name]. Becoming a part of the [Institution] has opened my eyes to the endless possibilities that getting educated at [Institution] could offer me. Being surrounded by the greatest minds of our generation and people who I thought of as celebrities, such as Dr. [Really cool scientist], taught me the value of countless hours I spent working late at the lab and reading hundreds of research papers surrounding my projects. Being recognized by such people and having the privilege of asking them questions while discussing science makes me both proud of my understanding of my field as well as inspired never to stop learning. During my time as a research assistant so far, I have learned countless lab techniques including cell culture, flow cytometry, antibody staining, CRISPR-Cas9, and neutralization assays, amongst many others. My current research has three main focuses, one being analyzing different conformations of CCR5 on different CD4+ T-cell subsets, another being using ChIP sequencing to find the CCR5 enhancer in memory T-cells, and the last being a shared project with a coworker which involves finding neutralizing antibodies against HIV using a microneutralization assay. I am also writing a literature review about CCR5, viewing it as a protein with fluid mechanics and emphasizing its plasticity which sometimes allows viral into the cell. Though I am still early in my career as a research assistant, I am proud of the progress I have made so far, and I look forward to future successes and learning opportunities in this part of my career as I learn more about who I am as a future researcher and professional.
As I continue to work hard on my research, I hope that the next opportunity to find me will be the privilege to do my masters in the field that chose me and honed my curiosity into something I can use. Molecular and cell biology are the basis of all my interest; there would be no understanding of immunology, microbiology, or virology without understanding the molecular mechanics of the cell first, which is why I believe this is the right program for me. I believe that the [institution] is the right place for me because it was the first to give me the tools to move forward in my field and indulge in the research questions that have been brewing inside me since my years as an undergraduate. From the connections I have made with PIs here to the opportunities I see post-graduation, I believe that [institution] is the best match for me when it comes to my career aspirations as well as the progress of my research. I believe that my curiosity led me to [institution] for a reason, and I would be honored to be able to venture into this next stage of my scientific discovery here in an environment that I know inspires my dedication and desire more meaningful impact.