#StudentSuccess - Ana Tsirekidze
My love for science comes from early childhood. At first, I was very interested in the planets, the cosmos, and the whole universe - most things that were difficult to explain. For some time, I fell in love with Chemistry and Biology, so I decided to dedicate my career to the medical field. However, since I believe a doctor should be a person with exceptional dedication and desire, I realized that I could not see myself in this field. It was then that the connection between my passions and the San Diego State University Chemistry/Biochemistry program emerged. Now I am studying Chemistry at SDSU in Georgia, with full funding.
When I first got into San Diego State University Georgia, I was confused, wondering how I could learn comprehensive subjects as Chemistry, Biochemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, and Organic/Inorganic Chemistry in English. I am happy to look back and say I was wrong. Today, I consider myself one of the most successful seniors at SDSU-G.
We did not get to fully experience those "student years" that our parents and grandparents told us so much about because of Covid. However, I still had the opportunity to participate in the exchange program and spend a semester on the main campus of San Diego State University in California. Besides my studies, I started working in a lab, as a laboratory assistant. Although I spent half of my studentship virtually on Zoom, I was still allowed the opportunity to participate in student activities. I have been the student ambassador of SDSU Georgia for two years now, and I have participated in Commencement ceremonies both in Georgia and California. In addition, I am a part of the American Chemical Society (ACS) student chapter - an international professional organization for Chemists. I have also been selected and am currently serving on the Associated Students Board of Directors (ASBOD) as a Dean’s Office Designee, which is a great honor.
During the Second year of my studies, I started working at Aversi clinics as a Radiology Assistant. In addition, in the second semester of my sophomore and first semester of junior years, I accepted an internship at the Legal Entity of Public Law-Levan Samkharauli National Forensics Bureau. This experience has helped me tremendously obtain many good laboratory techniques and knowledge.
For my Senior Project, I am working with the Nuclear-Magnetic Resonance machine. Basically, we use NMR to find the structure of a compound or see how pure it is. Our project is multidisciplinary in terms of the research methods and applying the results obtained. In particular, the methods of separation of substances are needed for the successful implementation of the project (Capillary electrophoresis and high-performance liquid chromatography), Spectroscopic methods (Nuclear-magnetic resonance spectroscopy, mass-spectrometry). The fundamental results obtained under this project will enrich supramolecular and physical-organic chemistry with new knowledge about the mechanisms of noncovalent intermolecular interactions. In addition, the main areas of application of the methods developed in our project will be pharmaceutical analysis, the pharmaceutical sciences in general, and healthcare.
As for the future, like everyone else in science, I want to achieve many great things and leave my mark on society. After graduation, I plan to work some more on myself, find a good position in a laboratory, and as I am interested in Clinical Trials, I am willing to work a lot. So, I am planning to take a gap year, and after that, I plan to continue my studies at one of the prestigious universities in Europe.
There are many challenges the world faces today, whether it be global warming, climate change, diversity, economic problems, or else. I believe, healthcare is one of the oldest issues for the humanity. Multiple scientists and countless studies have been trying to defeat one of the nastiest diseases – cancer. I want to be part of a team that will solve this problem. I believe everyone can succeed as long as they never give up. I know I am not willing to give up.