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I have always loved science and had planned a science career from an early age. However, life circumstances required me to follow a longer, less traditional route toward my goal, learning useful skills and gaining valuable experience along the way.
From the time of my parents' divorce, when I was eleven, I have had heavy family responsibilities. Initially, these responsibilities included caring for my three younger brothers and sister, and maintaining our home, while my mother worked.
I began to work as soon as I was able, as my income was required to help support my family. I was fortunate to find work in a picture framing shop, where I was allowed the flexibility to schedule my nearly full-time work hours around my classes in high school, and later, in college.
In 1977, I entered Arizona State University with the goal of pursuing a career in veterinary medicine. However, I found it difficult to achieve good grades, work nearly full-time, and attend to my responsibilities at home. After two years, it was apparent that my grades were not sufficient for veterinary school. Rather than go further into debt without an attainable goal, I left school. I had planned to return as soon as I had decided on new career goals, but such plans were put on hold by a series of family crises, which required my financial support, as well as my time. These crises included the teenage pregnancy of my sister in 1981, and subsequent shared parenting responsibility for my nephew, and my mother's seven-year battle against cancer.
It was through this exposure to cancer that I gained some limited medical experience and first began thinking about becoming a physician. My mother had melanoma and required a great deal of care following numerous surgeries and through various treatment procedures. My responsibilities included wound care and giving injections. Eventually, I worked with a local hospice organization to provide the care required so that my mother could die at home....