Husky 100

Recognizing the impact of peer-to-peer mentorship, building intentional relationships, and empowering students to share their experiences and stories has been at the core of my involvements and will continue to be at the heart of my work. The Husky community empowers me to be a socially-just leader committed to addressing the inequities and barriers in college access and retention, as well as supporting students in navigating the complexities of the higher education system.

I am a biology undergraduate and STEM advocate interested in bridging the scientific literacy gap between the expert researchers and the general public. In the future, I wish to pursue a career in the healthcare field serving my community. I believe the people I’ve met and the connections I’ve made have helped me unlock my full potential as a Husky. My involvement at the UW has given me an abundance of opportunities that have shaped my unique Husky Experience to become the leader I am today.

I am a Yapese-American woman who is dedicated to bringing forth more accessible and better healthcare options to Pacific Islanders in the United States, as well as in the Islands of Oceania. My goal is to raise awareness about the stigmas that face our generations today and to empower the next generations to be the change we all seek. I am so grateful to be one of the Husky 100. I owe my undergraduate experience to my family and mentors who always encouraged me to pursue my passion for health.

There are endless opportunities at each of our fingertips, and I’ve been fortunate to find experiences that inspire me. I care about providing healthcare to underprivileged communities through Global Medical Brigades, working with children at Seattle Children’s Hospital as well as Camp Kesem, and researching physiological questions in UW Medicine’s Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology, and Nutrition. My experiences at UW have been remarkable, and I can’t wait to see what else life has in store.

After facing many personal challenges as a student, I stand today as a tutor and mentor for high school and community college students, undergraduate researcher at the School of Dentistry, community development intern at the Interlm CDA in the International District and volunteer at Seattle Children’s Odessa Brown Community Clinic. During my four years here at the University of Washington, I learned the importance of building inclusive communities that shape equity for underserved populations.

During my time at the University of Washington I have focused on disrupting the narratives and social injustices afflicting Latinx communities. My experience as a woman and a Mexican immigrant in STEM at UW led me to become a mentor, a tutor, and an advocate for marginalized students pursuing STEM fields. Having the privilege of being a documented, formally educated Latina on a medical path, I will continue to use my voice and skills to empower and advocate for underserved communities.

I’ve spent the past four years as an undergraduate biomedical researcher, a coxswain for the UW men’s rowing team, and a founding/executive board member of UW’s chapter of Athlete Ally, a national organization that addresses issues of homophobia and transphobia in athletics. It’s because of my continual synthesis of identities – scientist, athlete, queer, feminist of color – that I’ve been selected as one of the Husky 100. I’m eager to disrupt clinical biomedical research with intersectionality.

My time as a Husky has been marked chiefly by a dual-identity as both a learner and an educator. This identity has been shaped in part by my experiences with research as well as by my relationships with incredible professors and mentors. I hope to one day be in a position where I can not only study fascinating processes in a lab, but also instill in others the same enchantment with the language of biology that I have gained at UW and the same confidence that my mentors here have imparted in me.

I am a mother of three and first-generation college student who has overcome extraordinary challenges to thrive at the UW. My academic journey has further developed my passion for social neuroscience and intersectional feminism; qualities that are reflected in my work as volunteer mentor and social justice advocate, and which have inspired my research to benefit minoritized groups. My goal is to empower individuals by fostering self-compassion, cultural responsiveness, and intellectual inquiry.

I am a woman of color filled with resilience and compassion for others. I have advocated for underrepresented communities and combated social injustices. I aspire to become an occupational therapist, providing care to underserved and marginalized youth.

I have spent my time at the University of Washington as a student and a teacher, as a researcher and an organizer. I have been profoundly changed by my Husky Experience. Going forward, I intend to draw from my many roles during my time here to end the perception that our differences are inherently divisive. With these new insights, I aim to foster a culture of inclusivity among my colleagues in my further education, professional life, and beyond.

Lupita is a first generation Xicana motivated to continue paving the way for students of color in STEM while celebrating the non linear nature of learning. She showcases her multidimensional excellence as an undergraduate research leader, a mentor for the College Assistance Migrant Program and as a student ambassador for the Multicultural Outreach & Recruitment team.

I found my niche at the UW, and it is one that has allowed me to pursue every interest with passion and dedication. I have always cared deeply about the animals we share our world with and this has taken me across the globe to serve animals in need. As captain of an Indian classical dance team (Natya UW) and a campus tour guide, I have developed a strong personal network and great leadership skills that will be helpful as I begin my next journey in veterinary school and beyond.