Snelson is a Biomedical Engineering Major and Bioethics Minor at Johns Hopkins University.
Clubs/interests: Johns Hopkins Feminists, JHU Disability Advocates/ hiking, crocheting, music
Q. How did you first know you wanted to be a scientist or engineer?
A: Science allows me to satisfy my innate curiosity by understanding the processes around me, and engineering allows me to harness the power of that knowledge to solve prominent issues. I was diagnosed with type one diabetes when I was five years old, and I think this was my first exposure to the scientific community as I had to learn about my own body's biological processes. It also allowed me to pursue science with a targeted goal to improve quality of life for people suffering with certain issues.
What has been your favorite experience or interaction this summer and why?
My favorite experience this summer has been being able to learn from not only my wonderful mentors, but all of the people in my lab. Everyone was so welcoming and so excited that I was there to work with them. I felt included and valued, and it encouraged me to continue pursuing research by instilling a sense of confidence in my abilities.
What positive impact do you hope to make in the future? Is there a big societal problem that you would like to help solve?
I'm not certain right now what particular area of research I want to go into, but I know that I want to do something that helps further scientific knowledge and ease people's burdens from medical issues. In addition, I am minoring in bioethics and hope to use that knowledge to weigh in on various related societal issues and affect change.
How do you think that your experience this summer may help you to meet your personal mission?
This experience helped me gain various skills and insight that I will be able to use in my endeavors moving forward. In addition, it gave me many connections within UVA that may help me find more research in the future. It also gave me confidence and inspired me to continue pursuing this field because of how much I enjoyed my time in the lab this summer.
What’s next for you?
Next semester, I plan to get in touch with some professors and hopefully begin working in a research lab at Hopkins. I also hope to explore more areas of research to help me narrow my interests as I prepare to apply to grad school.
