Cologne Graduate Scool Statement

Statement of past and current research interests (max. 250 words):
During the last year of my undergraduate studies, I was part of a research team that conducted a study on water chemistry in the university neighbourhood. We finalized the research with a paper on the subject of concepts of conductivity,its aplication and misconceptions. I am  an enthusiastic individual who is resilient and can maintain composure and deal effectively under pressure. This proved beneficial considering the vast amount of work which was to be done in a minimal time frame.
I acquired quality communication and organizational skills, was able to foster excellent inter-personal skills and the ability to work with people from varied backgrounds. I also managed to apply the experience and knowledge I gained while paricipating in the research study while doing my internship as a chemistry instructor at Feza Gursey Science Center.
I am currently working in the Natural Products Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Nairobi. It is the second year in my pursuit of a Master in Chemistry degree and I am running a research titled ‘Phytochemical Investigation Characterizing Secondary Metabolites of Eriosema psoraleoides for antiplasmodial activity’. The laboratory
deals with isolation of active antimalarial and antimicrobial compounds from herbal plants.
I have had hands on experience on numerous chemical separation techniques such as:
extraction with diverse organic solvents by usage of cold percolation method, thermal distillation to obtain pure solvents free from water and oxygen, chromatographic techniques such as column chromatography, preparative thin layer chromatography (TLC) and analytical TLC then finally recrystallizing to obtain pure compounds.

Motivation for joining our Master programme (max. 250 words):
I am deeply interested in biology as a lifelong career and I am determined to develop myself into a well-trained professional. I am also clearly aware of the immense efforts that I have to make in order to fulfill this aspiration. This constitutes the very motivation behind my present application to the Masters Fellowship Programme with a focus on Biological sciences program at the Faculty of Science and Technology in the University of Cologne.
I am motivated by learning new things that will equip me to apply or develop any of the
scientific knowledge mastered in a work environment. I hope to be able to master a wide
range of information and experience inorder to facilitate the mentoring and coaching of
others. This would give me a sense of accomplishment and achievement with regard to my
professional activities as an expert.
I am also motivated by coming up with creative ideas to improve on something. I believe
there is no need in reinventing the wheel but perfecting it would increase in productivity.
Hence I apply unconventional thinking to problems to come up with numerous ways to a
solution. This also helps in spotting flaws and errors so as to make the end result as good as
possible. I love taking on challenges and would like the opportunity to participate and
complete difficult projects and seeing them through to the end.

Goal in pursuing a Master degree in terms of future career plans (max. 250 words):
At the end of the studies I hope to be able to apply and develop methods and apply my knowledge with regard to my professional activities as an expert. I hope to be able to master a wide range of expertise on various matters in this field of science. It is my dream to be part of a team that would pioneer in the field of Computatinal, Theoretical & Physical Sciences in my country. I would also like to apply the knowledge attained in my endeavors with relations to Quantum Sciences.
Modern biology is unthinkable without the achievements of theoretical, computational and
physical sciences. These disciplines have become an essential tool for the advancement of molecular sciences towards the end of the 20th century, and they will undoubtedly mark the new era that lies ahead. From this perspective, new generations of biologists with broad knowledge, is of paramount importance.In this day and age Computational sciences largely complements
information obtained bybiological experiments, leading to new innovations in biology.
Great strides have been made by experts while applying Theoretical and Physical sciences.