I completed my high school education through the International Baccalaureate Program at Turner Fenton Secondary School in Brampton, Ontario in 2015. I then entered the Medical Sciences Program at the University of Western Ontario. My future educational prospects include completing graduate studies, specifically a Masters of Public Health. I would also like to go to medical school in the future.

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Throughout the duration of my university education, most courses I have taken have been traditionally-styled, with a professor lecturing more than 500 students - a setting which doesn’t allow for much professor-student or student-student interaction. Entering fourth year, I wanted to challenge myself before finishing university. I decided to take medical sciences 4300F because I learnt that it was all about playing an active role in the class and utilizing the skills I learnt in the course outside of the classroom in order to better the London community. This course has emphasized the practise of viewing healthcare issues through an analytical lens and digging deeper to discover the hidden meanings, causes and roots of health issues. Through classroom discussions and team work, I have been able to enhance my communication, teamwork, time management and responsibility skills which were valuable throughout the duration of this course, and can also be used in my day-to-day interactions as a student and in the future as a healthcare professional.

My ultimate career goal is to work as a addictionologist. My academic interests have always been within the discipline of science, specifically the molecular and physiological mechanisms of drug actions and addiction. I believe this interest was sparked in me as a teenager when I continually watched “Intervention Canada.” This show demonstrated to me how precious lives were destroyed by drug use and abuse, which served as a temporary “void” for individuals who were suffering from a deeper pain or trauma.

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This inspired me to learn about drugs - they are actually quite interesting! I am always eager to learn about different synthetic drugs that are being produced and how they can lead to addiction. Lately, I have been looking into psychedelics. They are non-addictive substances which cause hallucinations. I recently attended a conference - “Mapping the Mind with Mushrooms” - during which scientists actually showed the therapeutic potential of psychedelics.

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Overall, I want to pursue addiction medicine and I hope that I will be able to help save lives through my work. In order to do this, I will have to complete my doctorate in medicine and then pursue a specialization in addiction medicine. My ultimate career goal involves helping people that are suffering and giving them hope for their future.