Hello! My name is Cristi Leung, and I am currently a senior at Rock Canyon High School in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. I am passionate about anything related to biology, especially in fields and topics within the biotechnology world. These interests in biotechnology have grown throughout my academic career at Rock Canyon, as I was given the opportunity to complete a collaborative year-long biotechnology-based research project with 3 other fellow students (Bottom Image). This research project investigated the impacts of herbal supplementation of Rhodiola rosea on alleviating locomotor dysfunctions in Drosophila melanogaster ( also known as fruit flies) affected by symptoms of neurological disease, Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 6. Throughout this process of conducting this research, with the collaboration with fellow peers at Rock Canyon, I have been able to expand my passions for not just my interest in biotechnology but also my love for the process that goes into research. These passions have led me to pursue even more research-based courses and opportunities in AP Seminar and now AP Research.

Outside of my academics, I have a strong interest in beauty, which includes makeup and skincare. My interest in beauty has been a leading factor in starting this research process, as I plan to dive  deeper into how specific ingredients found in skincare products can affect cell regeneration. This project brings in the best of both worlds, as it incorporates my passions from my academics and my life outside of school, which I am extremely grateful to be able to take on this opportunity to delve into both passions in my life.

With these experiences, I plan to major in Molecular Biology and, in the future,  work as a clinical researcher to further understand the possibilities and unknowns of cell biology, while possibly continuing my interest in the skincare industry into something outside of a small passion!