Honors Project Inspiration

            I decided to study the topic of anemia for my honors project, as my father was hospitalized for obtaining a rare disease from a tick bite in the fall of 2021, and after recovering from this, his hemoglobin levels were still far too low in order to be discharged. Once his levels returned to normal, he was able to return home. He came to the hospital in a disoriented, coma-like state and returned home weak but feeling like his old self again. I was so curious about why his hemoglobin levels were so important that I wanted to do my honors research over it. At the same time, I was studying this vital protein in physiology with Dr. Deeds and in biochemistry with Dr. Day. It is why I decided to further explore the structure, function, and significance of hemoglobin, which led me to the topic of anemia—the lack of hemoglobin or healthy red blood cells—which can wreak havoc on the body and cause a wide variety of health conditions, or comorbidities.

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            I am hoping that the research I conducted can be used to share the significance of hemoglobin and anemia and further the importance of anemia prevention education to increase public health. Recently, I accepted a position to continue my education through Drury University’s physician assistant program, and I believe that the honors program has greatly prepared me for this next step of my journey. I now feel more educated about the various types of anemia, how they present, what their symptoms and risks are, and how they are treated. I am greatly for every step along my journey and am so excited to be able to continue my schooling in the place that has brought me so much joy and set me up nicely for my future. In the next five to ten years, I see myself as a physician assistant working in family medicine somewhere around this area with a family of my own and a person who is a compassionate caregiver and good listener and is always there for my patients and family.