Sydney Christensen

When and how did you realize that you wanted to study Genetics & Genomics?

I’ve always loved science (Sid the Science Kid really spoke to me as a child), and I grew up knowing that I wanted to do something in the biological sciences. When I was in middle school, I first began to learn about Genetics research, from the early work by Rosalind Franklin to the groundbreaking research of Jennifer Doudna. I was immediately excited by the field, and that has only grown as I’ve learned the potential that Genetics has to solve problems in many fields, especially medicine. I believe that Genetics is truly the most important field in medicine right now, and I want to be able to use it to help people someday.

Why did you choose the Genetics & Genomics Ph.D. program at A&M?

I went to Texas A&M for my undergraduate degree, and I have fallen in love with everything about this place! I love the traditions, the atmosphere, and especially the research. A&M’s commitment to research is extraordinary, and the interdisciplinary Genetics and Genomics program here will allow me to find exciting, collaborative research that is perfect for me.

If you were free to choose anything, what research question/topic would you like to address for your graduate studies?

I don’t know exactly what I want to research yet, but my biggest goal with my research is to be able to do something medically related; I would love to research a disease or disorder that I can use to help people like cancer or HIV.

Fun Facts:

Do you have any hidden talents? If so, what are they.
I love to cook and bake, and I make REALLY good cupcakes! (or so I’ve been told)

Do you have any pets? If so, please tell us about them.
I don’t at the moment, but back in Nebraska my family has three cats: Charlie, Whiskey, and Tango, as well as two cows and a bunch of chickens!

Favorite place you have traveled to.
I love the beach, so it would have to be Hawaii!