Alumni Profile: Carly O’Connor
“What really cemented the Amgen Scholars Program for me was the availability of a project in women’s health that perfectly aligned with my interests, and the opportunity to study in Japan.”
Host University: The University of Tokyo
Home University: University of Pittsburgh
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
Amgen Scholar Year: 2015
Major: Neuroscience, Japanese
Expected Graduation: 2016
Academic and Professional Ambitions
What inspired you to major in science?
“I became interested in scientific research due to a number of factors. The biggest factor was my brother, who was diagnosed with autism at a young age. I viewed research as a necessity for his well-being and for understanding his condition. Then, in middle school I had an amazing teacher that got me interested in cellular biology and the life sciences, which I eventually combined with my desire to become a doctor.”
“The project I’m working on has to do with studying cumulus cells around a developing oocyte, which has huge implications for fertility treatment. It is my first venture into women’s health biology, which I realized is an area that is historically under-researched. I was happy to actually see the project through and obtain results, which is another new experience! I hope to one day be a practicing gynecologist who continues to work in this research field.”
“What really cemented the Amgen Scholars Program for me was the availability of a project in women’s health that perfectly aligned with my interests, and the opportunity to study in Japan. I have been studying Japanese for eight years, and the ability to use my language skills and conduct science is incomparable to any other experience I have ever had.”
“Working with the equipment available at The University of Tokyo, and actually seeing and manipulating cells is something I’ve always read about in textbooks but never had a chance to do myself. I feel that my Japanese has improved greatly and I love the way Japanese labs are run. Being able to climb mountains, eat okonomiyake (Japanese savory pancake) and wear a traditional yukata with my lab members is something that I will never forget it.”
