The last time I wrote on this platform was a while ago, so I decided to provide an update.
Academically...In 2022, after having loved my research internship in chemistry, I started an internship in a biotechnology lab at the National University of Singapore. The more I learn about this emerging field, the more excited I get about its possibilities. One of the most inspiring things I've ever seen (at a conference) was a video of young children born with Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA), a rare genetic disease that typically results in complete blindness over time. In 2017, Luxturna, a therapy that targets LCA, became the first DNA-altering gene therapy approved by the Federal Drug Administration. In the video that I watched, the kids with LCA had one eye treated with Luxturna and the other eye left untreated. When their treated eye was uncovered, the children were able to navigate an obstacle course. When their treated eye was covered with an eye patch, the children were not able to see and therefore could not navigate the obstacle course. Unfortunately, I am not able to find the actually video online, but you can watch a news story of it is here, and a more academic interview with the researchers who discovered the therapy is here.
Academically...In 2022, after having loved my research internship in chemistry, I started an internship in a biotechnology lab at the National University of Singapore. The more I learn about this emerging field, the more excited I get about its possibilities. One of the most inspiring things I've ever seen (at a conference) was a video of young children born with Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA), a rare genetic disease that typically results in complete blindness over time. In 2017, Luxturna, a therapy that targets LCA, became the first DNA-altering gene therapy approved by the Federal Drug Administration. In the video that I watched, the kids with LCA had one eye treated with Luxturna and the other eye left untreated. When their treated eye was uncovered, the children were able to navigate an obstacle course. When their treated eye was covered with an eye patch, the children were not able to see and therefore could not navigate the obstacle course. Unfortunately, I am not able to find the actually video online, but you can watch a news story of it is here, and a more academic interview with the researchers who discovered the therapy is here.
Seeing the profound impact that gene therapy can have on some people is inspiring and moving.
Athletically and health-wise...After spending a lot of time in the pool competing with my school, the national, and my club water polo teams in early- and mid-2023, my middle ear got damaged, the surgically-created eardrum ruptured, and that led to water staying in my ear creating an ongoing infection. At the same time, I'm pretty busy finishing up high school. At some point, I'll have to consult with doctors on what can be done to rebuild the eardrum so that ear infections are less likely.
I understand that for a kid or parent to hear this, it's probably disheartening to know that things didn't turn out permanently perfectly -- but my attitude is -- nothing does!
Athletically and health-wise...After spending a lot of time in the pool competing with my school, the national, and my club water polo teams in early- and mid-2023, my middle ear got damaged, the surgically-created eardrum ruptured, and that led to water staying in my ear creating an ongoing infection. At the same time, I'm pretty busy finishing up high school. At some point, I'll have to consult with doctors on what can be done to rebuild the eardrum so that ear infections are less likely.
I understand that for a kid or parent to hear this, it's probably disheartening to know that things didn't turn out permanently perfectly -- but my attitude is -- nothing does!
I think it's important to share the reality of my longer-term post-surgery complications.