By Maria Tuyor

I have a vision…

Well… More so I envision myself that I, Maria Tuyor, will be able to drive society into a future where cancer and illnesses are no longer an issue. Where climate change will become a historical fact and where our world is not in a state of calamity.

This is my vision and I cherish it because this is what I am striving for.

Ever since I was a young child, I was fascinated with living things working together in the process called “The Circle of Life.” My interest expanded over the coming years where it lead to what I want to become in the near future.

As my knowledge expanded of the “real world”, I came to realise that I had a passion for Maths and Science. Taking this as an advantage, I delved further into finding more information about STEM careers through also receiving guidance from my supportive parents. Where does this end up resulting to a career I want?

That is for the later parts of this blog as I want to take you into a journey of how I see myself within STEM disciplines.

*Heads up! Popcorn is recommended!*

I still remember receiving the news that my family and I were heading to SEA WORLD. Those news filled my heart with immense joy as I was excited to see my favourite animals. Being a curious girl I always was, I researched multiple facts about animals and ended up in a direction where I fell in love with dolphins. Dolphins are quite intriguing with the way they interact with the environment and humans. They are in fact on of the most intelligent marine animals to ever exist and that fascinated me even more. Then one day.

One particular day.

I was sitting in my school’s library and started to discover headlines in regards to marine animals.

Headlines that sparked great fear within me.

  • Illegal exploitation of marine animals
  • Animals dying on the coastlines
  • Lack of fish forcing marine animals to starve

Through these headlines, I found one common thread. Climate Change.

Climate Change was a word that had interweaved into society for quite some time. However, it was not till recent times people began to be captured by its process. A process that caused the world to suffocate from humanity’s sins.

From this, I can conjure an image of myself in the future and this is what it is:

  • Helping in extensive research to find cures or preventions for diseases and illnesses such as cancer
  • Going into developing countries to provide alternative healthcare and vaccination programs
  • Working tirelessly hard to be able to have the privilege to wear a profoundly meaningful white coat that has a purpose both in laboratories and in hospitals

But there is also another image I can see myself in. It is an image of me finding both preventions and cures to the consequences of climate change on health. It is horrifyingly enough to know that the cause of rising sea levels and unpredictable weather has promoted a production of bugs such as mosquitos which can cause Malaria and Dengue. The decline of air quality can also cause respiratory issues and global warming itself awakens deadly diseases that once were hidden within ice.

Through this and the careers I aspire to become, I want to solve the issues of how climate change affects the health of individuals. I want to provide assistance for people in developing countries to have the same access to vaccines and health care as we do in Australia. I want to be a leading researcher working with people who are determined and wants to keep persevering to discover scientific ideas for the greater good. I want to help people who are suffering from cancer to know there is still hope in the world. I want to be someone who looks back into the past, who looks back at the journey that they have gone through which from this will make them proud of what has made them who they are.

By 2030, I’d love to be a Virologist or a Medical Oncologist. But most importantly, I would love to be a person who will always make my parents proud to show in return their generosity of patience, kindness, love and appreciation they have given me. No matter what I decide to become, I should always remember to find intricate ways to help society progress into a better future.