L'oréal anglais

When I once attended the L’OREAL-Unesco science awards ceremony for women, I discovered my interest for the field of biochemistry learning about the projects presented. Molecular biology displayed the potential to change our lives and improve our future by fighting cancer, curing neurological disease or finding new drugs against malaria. Seeing the great passion, excitement and commitment displayed by these young women triggered into me a strong motivation and inspiration and made me realize I would like to study this further.

At the Lycée, I developed gradually a more pronounced interest towards Biology and Chemistry. Studying transcription of DNA into proteins last year was particularly intriguing and the chapter of Genetics triggered in me a specific interest which led me to read the Selfish Gene by Richard Dawkin in which I discovered the larger implications of genetics in evolution and reproduction. My bedside book: Life Ascending by Nick Lane enlightened me on the fact that biochemistry is involved in everything. During a team coursework I took the responsibility to develop the biological section aiming at looking at the effects of nanoparticules of solar creams on human cells. This is when my interest for Cell Biology and the role of enzymes was brought on. Studying the production of energy by Mitochondria, I was curious to learn more and reading additional materials on the mitochondria and its genome, I found the theories related to its bacteria origin really amazing showing the connecting dots between evolution and biochemistry.

It is overall truly fascinating to think that an entire organism is made of very fundamental chemical elements interacting between them and that a very limited change or defects in this set up can create a disaster. The research work to understand the reasons at molecular and cellular level of those diseases in order to find solutions to cure or prevent them is really what I would like to do. By attending bioethics, an optional course, I have approached the broader consequence of biological science on society and given thought to some ethical questions in the domain of health. Overall I have a strong determination to choose a Biochemistry degree at university in view of developing a career in the pharmaceutical, medical or biotechnological sector.

Outside of the Lycee, I had the opportunity to widen my knowledge of proteines, metabolisms and enzymology during a work experience at Servier, a pharmaceutical company. At this occasion, I enjoyed particularly the lab work and experiments and I feel very confident in making practical manipulations as well as analysing and interpreting results. This year, I have chosen the bioscience speciality course which enables me to have two more hours in the lab per week.

I have had several work experiences in very different environments, a French TV channel (Arte) and a hospital (Cochin Paris), where I developed confidence in contributing to the teams and adapting to multiple situations. I excelled in helping with the organisation of the professional task scheduling and monitoring which is why I usually was given additional responsibilities than expected initially.

By being a competitive swimmer I have learned to stretch my limits to the maximum. I like having clear objectives and setting myself some goals which I then have to put every effort in, in order to achieve them.

As my class delegate, I have

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