Personal Statement for PhD Program in Pharmacology at Icahn School

This personal statement details the applicant's journey towards pursuing a PhD in pharmacology. The author's interest in pharmacology began in childhood, fueled by personal experiences with medication and the desire to understand its effects. The essay highlights the applicant's academic background, including a medical degree and a residency in general surgery, followed by a master's degree in pharmacology and toxicology. The statement also covers research experience in laboratory settings, including work at Mount Sinai Hospital and Memorial Sloan Kettering, as well as a diploma in research and pharmacovigilance. The applicant expresses a strong desire to join the PhD program at Icahn School of Medicine, citing the institution's research facilities and history. The applicant emphasizes research skills and communication abilities, demonstrating a clear commitment to a career in pharmacology. The personal statement provides a compelling narrative of the applicant's experiences and aspirations, making a strong case for admission to the program.

Running head: PERSONAL STATEMENT 1
Personal Statement
(Name of University)
(Name of Student)
(Date)

PERSONAL STATEMENT 2
Personal Statement
Although I pursued medicine in my undergraduate studies, my interest in pharmaceutical
products started while I was 7 years old, when I suffered from upper respiratory tract infection.
The medical prescriptions included Tylenol + Diphenhydramine which tasted creamy and sweet
and induced sleep on me. I would sneak to take the medication even long after I had recovered.
My curiosity was borne out of the desire to know what made me fall asleep. However, I could
not even understand what the label meant, though I would later come to understand.
As I grew older, my interests in pharmaceutical products and how they influenced human
body functioning increased. This further reinforcement occurred when my older brother suffered
from leukemia. Throughout his four year battle with leukemia, he was under pain management,
taking opioids. Since we were emotionally attached, I would become happy whenever he took
his drugs and his pain eased altering his mood and allowing us to hold close conversations.
During my brother’s pain management, my interest in drugs, their composition and their
influence on the working of the human body.
The passing of my brother became more instrumental in my eagerness to study
medications and their impact on human bodies. After completing my high school, I pursued 8-
year medicine, program at Garyounis University in Benghazi, Libya. I graduating in 2008 and
was granted a 2-year residency in general surgery. However, during my practice as a junior
resident surgeon, I realized that it was not what I wanted to pursue in my life. My interest
remained human body at the cellular/molecular level. My interest in biology and pharmacology
remained stronger than ever.

PERSONAL STATEMENT 3
After graduating and completing my 2-year general surgery residency, I was granted
scholarship having been ranked second best performing student. I flew to the U.S where I
completed my English proficiency courses in Los Angeles, got accepted and admitted to pursue
MS pharmacology & toxicology at Long Island University-Brooklyn NYC. This exposed me to
real life research, where I learned about laboratory techniques. Later, I registered for pharmacy
technician certification board where I passed my certification exams and I was granted to work.
This allowed me to learn more about medications, their mechanisms of action and their side
effects.
In 2015, I got my first position as a volunteer in Mount Sinai hospital at the neuroscience
research lab where I worked for 10 months. In 2016, Dr. Venetia Zachariou opened for me my
first opportunity to work as a fulltime lab manager/senior research associate in the neurosurgery
department in the hospital. After 3 years, I moved to Memorial Sloan Kettering as a lab manager
working in neuro-oncology lab. In the process, I also enrolled for diploma in research and
pharmacovigilance, where I graduated on 08/2018.
Having gained rigorous foundation in lab research, management, and pharmacovigilance,
I would now wish to pursue my PHD studies in pharmacology at Icahn School of medicine. The
school’s long history, special research facilities and immense tradition has allowed it to provide
one of the most recognized programs in biomedical sciences. Besides I have great research skills
and strong communication as demonstrated in my work experiences. If accepted to the
biomedical sciences program, it would allow me to achieve my long held childhood dream.