HELP WITH STATEMENT OF PURPOSE FOR PHD STUDIES

During my microbiology and immunology classes at the undergraduate level I had often wondered how microbes, as minute as they are, could survive harsh environmental conditions. I had also pondered on how microbes interact with their hosts and what factors, from these interactions, led to, and also precipitated disease processes? Another question that lingered was how humans could combat pathogenic microbes; a question with an answer that hinges on development of preventive therapy, as well as appropriate diagnosis and administration of proper curative therapy. The pieces of answers I gathered spurred my sense of inquiry to know more through research. Hitherto, I had aspired to be a clinician offering medical care to patients at the bedside but with this new conviction, I realized I could make greater impact through research that will translate into improving the quality of medical care at the bedside. Thus, I undertook a B.Sc. project that aimed at determining the efficacy of the UVW Rapid Diagnostic kit in diagnosing Plasmodium falciparum malaria. The motive was to recommend a more cost-effective and convenient diagnostic method to the under-sourced ABC hospital at XYZ, a remote village, where I often did clinical internships, in order to improve malaria diagnosis should the kit prove efficacious. The project was born out of a personal observation of inadequacies in expertise and resources such as light microscopes which affected proper diagnosis of common diseases such as malaria. I excellently carried out this project obtaining grade A, and recommended the use of this diagnostic method based on the outcome of my study. The study was eventually published in the FGH journal in 2011.
As one who aspires to be a leading infectious disease scientist tasked with an additional responsibility of training other top-quality researchers, I have taken steps to enrich my research and teaching capabilities. After my undergraduate education, I opted for a teaching and research assistant position in the University of EFG for one academic year. This opportunity created an avenue for me to apply my knowledge and be further exposed to research. Apart from being responsible for organizing both theoretical and practical tutorial sessions in Microbiology and Human anatomy and physiology for students in the second year through to fourth year, I also assisted two Ph.D. candidates in the collection and laboratory analysis of samples in their respective studies on ”Human ABO blood groups and Plasmodium falciparum malaria”, and “Drug-resistance mutations in Schistosoma species.” To further develop my teaching experience I voluntarily taught Elective Biology at the AGH Senior High School in JIG for an academic year.
Joining the PXY Reference Laboratory housed in the UVW Research Institute, over the past two years has greatly increased my research experience, and experimental skills. Under the supervision of Prof. XYZ, a renowned epidemiologist, I carried out my M.Phil. research work which sought to unravel the effect of the presence or absence of the G428A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of the human fucosyltransferase-2 (FUT-2/secretor) gene on ABC virus infection and disease in children. This study is part of basic research contributing to current efforts being made to understand the relatively lower ABC virus vaccine efficacy observed in developing countries. My study has made significant impact. It raised discussions on the need for efforts to develop vaccines that target circulating ABC virus strains in developing countries during the 1st GHJ Symposium in ASD. The study has also informed a recent submission of a proposal to the Office of Research of the University of XYZ for funds to investigate the effect of the Lewis and ABO blood group gene polymorphisms on the expression of gut histo-blood group antigens and the consequences these may have on ABC virus infection and vaccine efficacy. I have written two manuscripts from my study and hope to submit them for review and publication in top peer-reviewed journals in the field. Currently, I am assisting an M.Phil. candidate to examine the evolution of the rare ABC virus strains obtained from my study, through analysis of full genome nucleotide sequences.
My eloquence on both scientific and social matters as well as my ability to think critically and raise cogent research questions has won the admiration and applause of friends, colleagues, and faculty. Recently in September 2016, I won an award for the “Best Oral Presentation” at the 2nd BS Conference organized by the College of HS of the University of XYZ. Having exhibited excellence through my contributions in class, and impressive presentations during seminars, I was selected by the Department of MM and awarded a College of HS scholarship in the second year of my M.Phil. programme. My M.Phil. research proposal also won a grant, funded by the BMG Foundation, from the ABR Research Institute.
Through my M.Phil. research, I have observed the colossal decline in cases of ABC virus infection following introduction of ABC virus vaccines and I have cogitated the enormous benefits the world, especially developing countries, would get from vaccines and antivirals which target the numerous emerging and existing viral pathogens that cause debilitating and often fatal diseases. Achieving such feat requires intensive research which I am prepared to be a part of. Unfortunately, research in this field is limited in my country, if not non-existent, due to deficits in expertise, and research facilities. This detracts my quest. It was therefore breathtaking coming across the Ph.D in XYZ programme run by the venerated DDD Department of Medicine of the prestigious University of MMM. After a careful probe of the programme structure, its prospects, the emphasis placed on innovation and acquisition of both experimental skills and knowledge on new perspectives in research, and the unrivaled ultramodern experimental facilities, I am certain this programme will prepare me, not only to create a niche for myself in vaccine and antiviral development research, but also play a leading role in propelling research in the field for the benefit of both my homecountry and the world. From my search and correspondence, I have taken keen interest in the projects of Dr. AAA, Professor BBB, and Professor CCC.
The University of MMM has, indubitably, distinguished itself as a pacesetter in scientific research. The commitment and magnificent contributions of your excellent faculty to groundbreaking research cannot be overemphasized. I would, therefore, be glad to be a part of a distinguished community of scientists trained by the University of MMM to move the frontiers of science.