Karen Bao    Statement of Purpose: Harvard University, Molecules, Cells, and Organisms

For much of my life, I was so fascinated by the vast array of species in our world and so motivated to preserve them for future generations, that in college I devoted myself to laser-focused study of ecology and conservation. However, as I delved deeper, I realized that I lacked the diverse knowledge and experimental toolset to investigate many pressing questions. For instance, what are the fundamental biochemical changes that organisms experience in a warmer climate or more acidic ocean? What genetic mechanisms govern why some populations can rapidly adapt to environmental change while others are doomed to slow extinction?

In graduate school, I seek wide exposure to different fields within modern biology to make me a more effective researcher. Harvard’s interdisciplinary Molecules, Cells, and Organisms Ph.D. program would give me the flexibility to explore a plethora of biological topics and use them to investigate the ecological questions that have long fascinated me.

Rigorous academic study and research formed the backbone of my undergraduate years. Within the Environmental Biology major at Columbia University, I opted for the Ecology and Evolution track, which offers more coursework in physics, genetics, and mathematics than the regular track. Taking Molecular and Mendelian Genetics with Dr. Jennifer Mansfield opened my eyes to the marvelous complexity of gene expression; Organic Chemistry inspired me to think about why biological compounds act the way they do. I was rewarded with depth and breadth of knowledge, as well as junior induction to Phi Beta Kappa (top 2% of Class of 2016), Departmental Honors in Environmental Biology (single recipient), and graduation summa cum laude.

At the same time, I explored a variety of questions in ecology and evolution through research. In my sophomore year, I took a graduate-level course with Dr. Kevin Griffin and studied the effects of forest canopy mortality on shrub physiology; this study yielded my first publication and motivated me to embark on more research projects. In Dr. Dustin Rubenstein’s lab, I analyzed single nucleotide polymorphisms and microsatellites to investigate the population structure of eusocial Caribbean snapping shrimps, fueling a fascination with genetics that remains with me today. Moreover, I became curious about how to apply such scientific knowledge to sustainable resource management.

To explore this question, I joined Dr. Joshua Drew’s lab and traveled to the fishing village of Nagigi, Fiji. My primary purpose was to collect data for my senior thesis, but meanwhile I also worked on Dr. Drew’s research about the biodiversity impacts of implementing a marine protected area (MPA). On SCUBA dives, I sampled finfish to establish a baseline before MPA implementation. I identified specimens by morphological markers, preserved them, and froze gill tissue for genetic analysis. As thesis research, I tracked mollusc fishing over time on Nagigi’s reef via ethnographic interviews and found evidence of the shifting baselines syndrome, wherein the standard for a “healthy” ecosystem is degraded from generation to generation. After conducting a literature review on life history traits of the most commonly fished genera, I published a paper containing policy recommendations that we shared with marine reserve managers.

Moving forward, I hope to use genetic and molecular techniques to investigate wild populations’ adaptation to anthropogenic environmental changeI am also curious about downstream effects of adaptive alleles, whether they are biochemical, physiological, or behavioral. Harvard affords the best opportunity to study these topics. I am excited to learn genetics, cellular biology, developmental biology, biochemistry, and more through coursework in MCB 291, 292, and 293. (I would pursue the Genetics, Genomics, and Evolutionary Biology track). The three lab rotations would help me build practical skills, learn from a variety of mentors, and shape my future direction. After I choose a lab and delve into research, I look forward to constantly learning through MCO’s nanocourses and Journal Club, as well as contributing to public outreach by getting involved with Science in the News. I also look forward to teaching, and hope to support and inspire undergraduates just as my mentors have done for me.

With the diverse knowledge I would gain from MCO’s academics, I plan to pursue research in a lab within the Organismic and Evolutionary Biology department. I am interested in Dr. Hoekstra’s lab, which studies the genetic, molecular, and developmental bases of evolution using natural populations of Peromyscus. The lab’s extensive existing work with these rodents offers a starting point to ask a plethora of questions about populations across space and time. I am also fascinated by Dr. Cavanaugh’s work on the evolution of microbial symbiosis and Dr. Sabeti’s pioneering research investigating natural selection in pathogens and the human genome to inform intervention efforts.

If admitted, I would bring not only my passion for science but also the writing skills I have cultivated in publishing and media. While a full-time undergraduate, I published a young adult science fiction trilogy, the Dove Chronicles, with Penguin Random House. Troubled by ecological decline around the world, I created societies on the Earth and Moon two centuries in the future, delivering a novel per year. I interviewed professors of biology, geology and chemistry to create a scientifically sound universe that would inspire young readers to think about the future of life on our planet. These books, available in seven languages, also help promote scientific literacy to an international audience. When students told me I had given them faith that they could become scientists, writers, or both, I became convinced that sharing knowledge is just as valuable as generating it.

My ultimate goal is to become a professor so I can research, teach, and communicate science. Additionally, I will engage with broad audiences by writing news articles and books, using my publishing experience to make them accessible and intriguing. All of my academic and professional experiences have bolstered my work ethic and passion for biology; I can think of no better place than Harvard to flourish as a scientist, communicator, and future educator. Thank you for your consideration.