I initially regarded the New Jersey Scholars Program with a certain degree of skepticism. The camp promised an “interdisciplinary” study of climate change delegated among the realms of science, literature, philosophy, and sociology. But having cultivated my passion for Biology at a UPenn research academy the previous summer, the latter three disciplines were about as interesting to me as creationism was to Bill Nye. Day one: the first words of my philosophy professor only seemed to confirm my reservations. “Climate...

The three quintessential high school questions: 1. What do you want to be? 2. What’s your favorite subject? 3. Where do you want to attend college? #1 came easy: I am, first and foremost, a scientist. To prove it, I could write about the fascinating transgenes I researched at Rutgers, or the fulfillment of publishing my very own genetic sequence in the NCBI. But I’m not. Because ironically, I discovered Biology’s greatest gratification through two activities that have ostensibly little in...

Stashed in my drawer are two keepsakes: a glossy pebble from my professors at the NJ Scholars Program, and a wood-crafted eagle from my advisor in the Y-MUN officer corps. These two experiences, both central to my identity, occurred months apart. One emphasized leadership, the other intellectual discovery. Yet emblazoned on both mementos are the same three words: Set yourself free. 200 words aren’t nearly enough to capture why I love Brown: organizations that range from hilarity of The Brown...

My past few birthdays have seen more countries and caucuses, than cakes and candles. I’m talking about ASEAN, a committee in the YMCA Model UN. It’s where my committee Chair gave me my voice three years ago, and where I filled his shoes this year, seeking to return the favor. Some see working year-round on a four-day conference as poor planning, but to me and my 39 fellow officers, it was our ultimate validation. It was validated by the...