Husky 100

As a first-generation Latino college student, navigating my university experience has been filled with challenges, but the support I have received from my mentors and peers has allowed me to remain resolute in my commitment to personal growth and academic success. My Husky Experience has equipped me with the tools to confront future challenges with confidence, while instilling in me a profound cultural and social awareness. As an aspiring pediatric physician, I am determined to continue nurturing the next generation and making a positive impact in our community.

Leveraging my ambition and interdisciplinary problem-solving, I am proud to enhance neuropsychiatric memory care, conduct clinical psychology research, increase neuroscience accessibility, advocate culturally competent diversity, equity, and inclusion, and serve as a student handler for Dubs II. These combined endeavors have developed my empathy, tenacity, and commitment to excellence as a future physician-researcher—where I aspire to effectuate long-term community impact by improving preventative health and treatment interventions.

Through my academic, research and community-building experiences at the UW, I have discovered that I want to pursue a career in science. I aspire to be a professor leading a research team investigating the molecular mechanisms of the immune system. I hope to harness this knowledge to design therapeutics for globally impactful infectious diseases and underresearched autoimmune diseases.

Coming from an immigrant family, the principles of diligence and community were instilled into my being; if not for the sacrifices and work of others, I would not have the privilege to stand as I do today. Driven by the compassion others have shown me, I have utilized my voice as a first-generation Latino student to advocate for and mentor other students from underrepresented backgrounds. As a future physician and neuroscientist, I hope to contribute to dismantling barriers and dignifying healthcare and science education through community-first initiatives. To quote Dr. Angela Davis, “It is in collectivities that we find reservoirs of hope and optimism.” 

My time at the UW has been a wild ride – a roller coaster of successes, setbacks and surprises that have given me invaluable insight into who I am and what I care about. Through my numerous experiences inside and outside of the classroom, I have discovered my passion for learning and aptitude in understanding the ethical implications, situational complexities and societal impact of the human experience and how different people experience the world around them. No matter where life takes me, my ultimate goals remain constant: personal growth and a meaningful legacy.

Growing up in rural Central Washington, I lacked access to strong mentors, internships or programs in the science field. During my time at the UW, I’ve obtained these resources and developed a passion for neuroscience and mental health destigmatization while embracing my queer identity and building confidence as a leader for change. I’ve actively pushed myself to seek out new challenges and I look forward to becoming a physician who advocates for the well-being and mental health of others from all backgrounds.

As a man of color, a future Ph.D. student, and eventual faculty member, I am committed to giving back to the communities that helped me succeed and uplift other historically marginalized groups in higher education. Attending the UW opened my eyes to the foundational issues students of color face in STEM spaces at predominately white institutions. Leveraging my experience as a researcher, I founded and developed the curriculum for Brothers in Research, a year-long course taught to men of color within the Brotherhood Initiative with the goal of diversifying research. Through the support of numerous programs and mentors, I have made significant progress in my research on understanding age-related changes in the brain’s extracellular matrix.

I am passionate about introducing people to new environments and wildlife conservation stories through science communication. From educating audiences in-person, behind the windows at the Burke Museum’s labs or through online video content, sharing the wonders of the natural world is my ultimate passion. My Husky Experience has been full of exciting opportunities to bolster my research skills and share findings with others, which I believe is an essential responsibility of scientists regardless of field.

In my time at the University of Washington I have been able to take on various roles as a researcher, mentor, tutor, and leader which have taught me valuable lessons in community building and scientific inquiry. Over the past four years, I’ve cultivated a deep passion for the intersection of healthcare equity and community engagement, laying the foundation for my scientific career where I aim to address systemic disparities in healthcare through translational research. I am thankful to the Giacani Lab for guiding my research aspirations; my ongoing work in developing a vaccine for syphilis has been pivotal in my decision to pursue a Ph.D. in immunology.

The UW sparked an unquenchable curiosity within me, driving me to explore the nuances of our world, from the intricate symmetries of electrons and pelvic biomechanics to the rich tapestry of ancient Israelite civilizations. Throughout my time at the UW, the amalgamation of rigorous academic pursuits, practical engagement within a Parisian ICU and leadership roles in orchestrating weekly organ practicals have fortified my love and crystallized my ambition towards becoming a physician. I aspire to embody the essence of healing by encompassing a holistic and culturally informed approach to patients’ well-being, remaining guided by unwavering empathy, propelled by the winds of curiosity and a sincere desire to unravel the enigmatic tapestry of human health.

Attending the UW has given me the opportunity to have enriching experiences that have defined me personally and professionally. I believe I have made a positive impact on the UW campus and I have developed valuable skills through my experiences that will help me and the community I serve in my future endeavors. As an aspiring physician, combining my passion for serving vulnerable and disadvantaged communities and my love for medicine has shaped my enthusiasm to someday become the medical professional that I look up to.

The UW has been a fantastic place for me to hone my passions for chemistry, mathematics and leadership. Through undergraduate research, I have taken multi-faceted approaches to problems in catalysis and as a peer mentor within CLUE and the Honors Program, I have worked to foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing. My interdisciplinary experiences as a Husky have inspired me to pursue a research career dedicated to sustainable materials and community outreach.