Reflections

Incredibly, my summer in NYC is rapidly coming to an end. The week after the Lake Tahoe conference, arguably one of the best times of my entire life, I've found some time to reflect back upon my experiences thus far.

Lake Tahoe was as eye-opening as it was fun. I got to hear from the Senior VP of R&D for Amgen. This man makes decisions with more profound effect on American health than the Surgeon General. He decides what therapeutics Amgen should invest in. I also got to learn from the former chief of the clinical trials that led to the approval of Taxol (a blockbuster cancer drug). These people showed me how a few dedicated scientists can truly touch the lives of millions if not billions of people. From my trip, I've completely realized that my first love is with science.

The kids I got to meet were equally impressive. Although their projects and their home institutions warrant awe, I was most humbled and inspired by their complete belief to the point of utter dogma that science is the future. What else will best better the human condition than the research we do, the solutions we develop and the technologies we implement? If anything, I've been motivated beyond what I thought was possible to contribute, contribute and contribute.

Most importantly, I've seen a shift on what role I want to take in my career. Medicine was never in question - I will be going to medical school. Initially, I thought I could impact the world with the most dramatic effect with the research I do. Now, I realized I'd much rather hear about your project and your ideas. I'd much rather lead you with the right tools to succeed in your dream.

As much as I want to be an outstanding engineer, researcher or physician, I want to be a leader first. In my high school yearbook, a once good friend of mine who I regrettably do not talk to anymore wrote "Steve, that's what I saw you best as, a leader." Those words have resonated quietly throughout my college career. I try to live up to that. I am who I am. But, a leader is who I want to be.

How do I pair my passion for science and my irresistible desire to lead? I see it in industry or as the director of a major hospital. I couldn't find a job description that fits me more perfectly. At the end of the day, I love the responsibility. I believe wholeheartedly that pioneering science delivers vital medical solutions. I believe medical solutions improve our society at the most basic level. How am I going to fight poverty, overpopulation and political unrest? I will work my hardest to ensure every man, woman and child has the most basic right of good health. To me, good health means more than the freedom to vote, the freedom to assemble or the freedom to speak. For far too long, that right has been taken from far too many citizens of this world.

I come back to Rice fully equipped to take advantage of every resource I've been given. Each class, each day, each protocol in lab will fuel me, drive me and position me to fulfill every one of my lofty ambitions. Even though I greatly respect what Amgen does and more likely than not will be involved with Amgen or a company like her in the future, I still can't see how you put a price on a life. If no one does it before me, I will start the first pharmaceutical/biotech company that is not for profit.

At times, I feel so weird saying that I am a Christian. I hardly ever go to church. I barely peruse the Bible. Whatever the case is, I feel God at odd times of the day. I'm drawn to Him in the ineffable that only faith can instill. He can judge me. But, I've made a promise to God that at the end of my life when I stand before Him I can say with complete conviction and a steady voice that even though I have been a far from perfect, I have given all the talent He has blessed me with to the world He created.