What is in the DNA of a rural scientist?
Real stories from rural scientists...
Inspiring books and movies
Oftentimes a downside of being from a rural community is a lack of role models in science and medicine careers. These resources inspired us in many ways such as to push through a hard physics course or to apply for an internship at Berkeley.
Click on each image below to be brought to a summary of the book or movie.
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Stories of Famous Scientists Who Grew Up in Rural Areas
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Below are our stories from the aspiring scientists, engineers and doctors from rural communities who created this website. We have tried to include both what inspired us and resources that helped us that might also help you.
If you are someone in a STEM or medicine career who started in a rural community we would love to connect with you! Follow the link below for instructions on how to submit a blog post.
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Grazing cattle surround a tiny clinic on the edge of town while summer fireflies dance across the yard of my grandmother's house. This is where I feel the most free to follow my dreams. Coming from a family full of farmers and educators, I wasn’t initially exposed to the impact of medicine. Days were spent reading classical literature or eating watermelon by the river. My curiosity was sparked later by my mother, Brandy, who was the only person in my life tied to healthcare. It was a day in August when I noticed colorful flashcards scattered across the living room floor and watched her study them intently. As she explained the many aspects of human growth, I became increasingly fascinated by science. What I didn’t realize was how this brief moment placed a seed of aspiration that guided my path to medicine.Following high school, I spent the summer of my freshman year at UMKC doing a pre-medical program. This exposed me to a range of opportunities including research, extracurriculars, shadowing, and clinical exposure. Getting involved in prenatal neurodevelopmental research strengthened my passion for medical innovation and grew my curiosity for biochemical targets. After freshman year, I transferred to Missouri State University so I could be closer to my family. I began a second set of research focused on nanotechnological mechanisms to efficiently detect SARS-CoV-2. Learning about cellular data and how our immune system works inspired me to pursue further science classes, which I became increasingly intrigued with. Now, I am in my senior year and am about to enter my application process for medical school. My end goal is to become a physician who continues prenatal research and specializes in maternal fetal medicine. Through this, I hope to pursue medical mission work in underdeveloped countries and provide accessible care to families. My end goal also includes
growing my scholarship foundation, The Brandy Yates Healthcare Scholarship for Rural Students, which is centered around providing financial assistance for students from underserved rural communities who want to enter into healthcare. In dedication to my mother, Brandy, who suddenly passed around 2 years ago, its mission focuses on spreading healthcare awareness and supporting students in the ways she supported me. While there are beautiful landscapes that fall below the horizon in my hometown, there were days when I found myself disheartened at the limited access I had as not only a student but an aspiring leader. Hour-long drives to the hospital or the expenses that came with it prevented my family from obtaining adequate specialized healthcare. There were no modified science labs to perform upper-level dissections or a robotics team for aspiring engineers. Outdated technology filled our computer labs and there were no opportunities for AP-level courses. However, while these were all components that could have prevented me from excelling academically, I used these factors as motivators which pushed me to strengthen my growth mindset and compromise with other students in order to battle these barriers. My biggest inspiration is my mother, Brandy Yates. Her dedication to others didn’t just stem from healthcare, but in her everyday life. Watching her work tirelessly to reach her goals are moments I will always cherish. Her passion shined every night she came home from a hospital shift. Her heart poured with determination with each flashcard she made. Growing up, she never failed to tell me how proud she was and I will never forget her luminous smile. Brandy was the definition of compassion, empathy, and wholeheartedness. Every person I heal, I will think of her because she was my healer.
Learn more about The Brandy Yates Healthcare Scholarship for Rural Students here!