My Aims in Life

My interest in biomedical research in oncology began with intellectual curiosity but deepened through a personal encounter with physiological dysfunction that remained unrecognized for years. From 2017 through the end of my undergraduate studies in 2019, I experienced severe menorrhagia, chronic fatigue, unnatural weight gain, and debilitating headaches that steadily eroded my stamina and cognitive clarity. Medical consultations repeatedly concluded with broad assumptions that are common amongst gynaecologists in India who rely on limited tools available to diagnose “unmarried women” – PCOS, weight-related issues, or possible endometriosis. These explanations never accounted for the intensity of my symptoms, yet without further investigation, they became the default narrative combined with unfortunate and dismissive remarks, OCPs for the bleeding and paracetamol for the headache that unfortunately did nothing to eliminate the root of the problem. I completed my undergraduate degree in this state, often managing only the limited goal of “If I can just pass, that will be enough,” because that was all my body allowed.

A turning point came only during the first year of my graduate program, when I finally underwent a complete hormonal evaluation at the university hospital. The results after a battery of tests revealed the actual cause: a 0.5 mm pituitary microadenoma, a benign tumour responsible for persistent hyperprolactinemia. Its size made surgery unnecessary, but it did need medical management. As treatment took effect, the fatigue and the brain fog that had shaped my undergraduate performance began to lift. My physical and intellectual capacities finally began to realign. And I passed my graduate degree with distinction.

This clarifies something essential: my undergraduate transcript reflects an untreated and undiagnosed illness that was unfairly dismissed, not my academic ability. The diagnosis came too late to alter the record, but it fundamentally changed the context in which I understand it.

My graduate years coincided with a return to physiological and academic stability. As my health improved, so did my academic performance. I completed my Master of Pharmacy degree with First Class (Distinction) while still receiving treatment, contributed to ongoing research during my graduate thesis (after a brief health-related sabbatical), and co-authored a publication stemming from my undergraduate work. These achievements reflect my capabilities once health was no longer an obstacle, while also illustrating how delayed or incomplete diagnoses can profoundly reshape academic and professional trajectories, often leaving individuals unfairly labelled as “underachievers.”

My personal history has strongly influenced my research interests, particularly in ovarian cancers, where diagnoses are given typically late into disease development. My experience with an overlooked endocrine disorder has made me acutely aware of how frequently women’s symptoms are minimized or attributed to generic causes, allowing underlying pathologies to progress unnoticed. I am especially interested in the molecular and signalling disruptions that initiate and sustain these cancers, the interplay between hormonal regulation and tumour behaviour, and how early-stage alterations can be leveraged for improved detection or therapeutic intervention.

Through my coursework and laboratory experience in both my undergraduate and master’s degree, I have developed a solid foundation in molecular biology, cell biology, genetics, and cancer-related biochemical pathways. I aim to build on this foundation in a research environment committed to rigour, clarity, and translational relevance. My goal is to contribute meaningfully to molecular oncology, particularly in areas where improved mechanistic understanding can enhance early diagnosis and patient outcomes.

I now seek to join a program where I can apply my training, persistence, and scientific commitment to impactful work. The challenges of my undergraduate years do not define my capability; they provide context for my resilience and focus. I am determined to advance research in ovarian cancers through careful inquiry, strong molecular grounding, and a commitment to bridging fundamental biology with better diagnostic and therapeutic possibilities.