That's what makes things interesting: seeing things happen in real time, people solving real problems, people using the science to create real things.
In this episode of Life-Changing Science, we sit down with Nathan Kirokwa, a rising senior at Pioneer Charter School of Science, who guides us through his journey from a curious child captivated by the human body’s healing magic to a dedicated bioengineer. Nathan recounts how his mother’s insights and his own early experiments fueled his passion for science. He also shares how his interests evolved from a broad fascination with medicine to a focused pursuit of bioengineering through problem-solving, eventually leading him to the BioBuilder Summer Research Program and a transformative internship at a biotech startup, Conduit.
Nathan describes how a seemingly random email ignited his ambition in synthetic biology, offering hands-on lab experiences and an unforgettable project on creating a ketamine-detecting yeast. Nathan also shares a serendipitous networking story that led him to join Conduit, a small biotech startup, underscoring the importance of community and seizing opportunities. His multiple interests make this episode a must-listen for anyone intrigued by the intersection of science, opportunity, and personal growth.