Ever since I first saw “The Magic School Bus” on TV as an inquisitive four-year-old, I have shared Ms. Frizzle’s enthusiasm for the inner workings of the human body. To this day, I am amazed by the marvels of cellular and molecular biology – how a 30-nanometer ribosome can elicit such an immediate and salient response in an organism as massive as an elephant!During my junior year, my work on biofuel exposed me to a multitude of specialized fields in biology. As part of my research on the use of microorganisms to ferment household organic waste, I proposed a solution to the trash crisis in Lebanon through the production of bioethanol. This project prompted me to read more about how organisms and the dwindling gene pool on Earth could potentially solve significant global crisis by curing autoimmune diseases and providing sustainable food sources. A concentration in environmental biology and environmental science will allow me to further investigate how to better conserve the gene pool whilst utilizing it to benefit society.The research opportunities at Columbia are unrivalled – The Earth Institute presents the opportunity to conduct revolutionary research on sustainable development and the EICES SEE-U program offers hands-on experience in the field at various locales. Furthermore, the vast choice of research centers and programs like SURF mean that meaningful research opportunities are available all year round. Columbia’s intense focus on interweaving theory and practice will best cultivate my insatiable curiosity for biology and voracious desire to learn.