Shreya Agrawal
An intriguing fact about the brain's electricity sparked Shreya Agrawal's love for science, leading to impactful projects and a masters degree pursuit.
"I read that our brain can generate enough electricity to light a 23-watt bulb. That's when I realised I had a special connection with science.
"I grew up in Mumbai, India. During college, we adopted a nearby tribal village where we electrified huts, set up medical camps and encouraged children, especially girls, to pursue science. We lit huts using chlorine water bottles, refracting sunlight to brighten the interiors. Seeing the youngsters' joy as they studied and played in their brighter huts gave me profound pleasure and showed me the power of science to help people.
"While juggling studies and extracurriculars, my passion for science grew. I represented my country as a girl world robotics champion in the World Robot Olympiad, winning gold in India and placing sixth worldwide. This surreal moment boosted my confidence as a young girl entering womanhood, ready to tackle STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) subjects with love and passion."
Science is not just a subject for me but an emotion.
"I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry in India. I then chose to study at the University of Auckland because of the peaceful and inspiring environment and perfect weather. Safety is crucial for me as an international student and Auckland feels very safe. The University's ranking and research facilities, especially the Liggins Institute and the Auckland Bioengineering Institute, along with the variety of programmes, also drew me. Lastly, I received a $20,000 scholarship which helped cover my living costs.
"The support from the University's student hub helped me overcome my initial struggles with research writing. I owe my academic and mental well-being to this lovely community at the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences and am grateful to be part of this family. This will be a life-changing experience, learning new things and making lifelong friends.
"I believe the experiences and skills you gain at the University will help you land your dream job or research project. You should focus on getting niche skills and internship experiences such as summer research fellowships and labs to stand out. My goal is to become a research scientist. After my masters, I plan to channel my passion for science into stipend research opportunities at various research centres."
Shreya Agrawal
Student: Master of Biomedical Science (MBiomedSc)