Nitisha Gautam

Tesla STEM HS, WA

Senior (2019-2020)

Career Goals:

Ever since I started to comprehend the medical profession and learn about the basic science behind the functioning of the human body, I developed a keen interest in pursuing a career in the medical field. Through my school and this program, I realized that I could combine my love for math and technology with my deep interest in biology and medical sciences for my future career goals. I believe there are many flaws in the current medical system that I would love to work on in the future. This includes health policy and interdisciplinary P4 medicine. In the future, I would also love to see myself as a surgeon and a researcher, who would not only contribute towards saving and improving the lives of many people but also spending time in pursuing scientific research in the medical field.

 

What did you learn from this course?

Through this course, I was able to learn some important skills about maintaining holistic health to cure diseases and also prevent further health problems. This includes the four P’s (Preventive, Predictive, Participatory, and Personalized medicine) that can change your life path. I also learned the importance of taking care of yourself at an early age to prevent future problems. Furthermore, I learned about the role of the microbiome (internal collection of bacteria, fungi, etc.) in the human body and how maintaining it is important to create a balanced body.

 

What advice do you have for future Ambassadors?

My advice to future Ambassadors is to always avail opportunities that come in your path. I also encourage everyone to be proactive and curious, as this will lead to future innovations. I believe that by trying new classes, internships, and research opportunities, you can learn about your interdisciplinary passions. Good luck!

– Showcase Project –

"What is the Microbiome?"

Who/What inspired this project?

When I listened to Sean Gibbons's talk about the human microbiome, it sparked curiosity in me. I was surprised that there was a whole ecosystem of bacteria, fungi, and microorganisms living inside of every single human. I thought that this topic would be great to explore and teach others about. The microbiome impacts our immune system, metabolism, production of food, and how we think. So it is crucial to maintain the bacterial balance in the microbiome.

How does your project communicate the relationship between the environment and health?

The microbiome is tremendously impacted by the environment. The end of my 3D informational booklet talks about how diet, exercise, and daily habits - like antibiotic use - can impact the balance of microorganisms in the body. Through this information, the kids can make informed decisions on carving a path that promotes good microbiome health and prevents future medical illnesses.

 

Who is your target audience?

My target audience is middle schoolers and high schoolers. This 3D booklet is designed for this age group as the kids can grasp the concepts presented. Furthermore, since schools do not commonly teach the microbiome, I thought it would be nice to educate kids and teens on their body composition and how to remain comprehensively healthy.

 

As an Ambassador, how do you plan to share your message with your target audience?

As an Ambassador, I plan to share this book with middle and high schools in my district. I also look forward to spreading information regarding holistic P4 medicine and microbiome health to my peers. In the future, I would like to create infographics that condense information about these two topics to a larger audience group in a more accessible manner.