By Samantha F.
Elkton, MD
My dream job is to do research in the bioinformatics field. Mathematics, statistics,
and computer science have always been my strong subjects, yet I also love learning
about new discoveries in chemistry and biology. Bioinformatics takes these areas
of study and wraps them in one neat package.
Bioinformatics is a very exciting field right now due to the exponential growth
in technology. For instance, one of the first projects labeled as bioinformatics
was the mapping of the human genome, which took a much shorter time to complete
than scientists originally estimated due to their assumption of linear technological
progress. A more current research project, the mapping of the human brain, also
has an expected due date that assumes linear advancement, but it is more realistic
to say that with the current exponential rate of technological growth the
human brain could be mapped out as early as 2025 (an estimate by renown computer
scientist Ray Kurzweil), or 2030 (estimate by other computer scientists).
The mapping of the human brain will open a whole new world of interfacing humans
and technology. As a result, modern medicine will be able to understand, and possibly
cure a plethora of neurological disorders that currently baffle the medical community.
This is my underlying motivation to get into research: to be able to help people,
improve lives, and further the progress of our society towards more prosperous times.
Any research I am given the opportunity to partake in will make me more prepared
when I try to enter the bioinformatics field and help research the human brain.
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