The renowned “BE SOMEONE” graffiti vibrantly painted above interstate 45 in my home city of Houston has long tugged on my energized heartstrings as a reminder to simply be passionate about being myself. This passion for being myself, expressed through my involvement and leadership in high school activities such as basketball, track, the Mustang Military Support Club, the National English Honor Society, Younglife, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and my church and my interests in the ocean, scuba diving, medicine and traveling (to name a few) have truly taught me the importance of trying to become the very best version of myself and trying to “BE SOMEONE” to my community. Although “BE SOMEONE” has been painted over and repainted time and time again, its inspiring significance remains forever influential to my life. I have come to live my life by these two words. The “BE SOMEONE” perspective fuels my desires to conquer my greatest and most passionate ambitions in life and has turned me into the goal-oriented problem-solver that I am today.

At a young age, my family was exposed to the reality of one of our world’s most well-known “unknowns”: cancer. Now, it is my recollection of this heart-wrenching mystery and doubt that drives my calling to impact the world through medical research and innovation. Growing up quickly alongside a close family member as she battled cancer, I began to accumulate interest in the field of medicine and its miraculous healing properties. From grappling with the concept of chemotherapy to deciphering my fascination with cold cap therapy, I certainly got a peek into the world of possibility engendered by medicine. Although I did not fully grasp the idea of cancer and appreciate my family’s fortune in the recovery until later in my life, the idea of such a devastating health condition having only an uncertain solution rather than a definite cure surely further awakened the empathetic problem-solver within me.

My mission in medicine is to not only provide first-class care in a society challenged by the complexity of cancer treatment, but to also elicit a biomedical engineering skill set to advance cancer treatment by making quality and quantity of care more simultaneously achievable. Additionally, I am eager to expand the scope of innovative health care globally as my most extravagant dream in life is to travel the developing world providing medical attention to individuals in need. After recently traveling to Uganda and encountering communities with a desperate need for accessible medicine, I have felt even more encouraged to extend my medical ambitions towards global outreach. To me, getting to advance medicine around the globe to communities like those in Uganda, which will always hold such a special place in my heart, would really be the “cherry on top” to my “BE SOMEONE” perspective on life.

Major:
Biomedical Engineering

Other Academic Interests:
Pre-Med

What drew you to the Forty Acres Scholars Program?
What drew me to the Forty Acres Scholars Program was definitely the FASP community filled with both passionately like-minded students and mentors. Growing up, I have always strongly valued community, believing that it is important to surround yourself with people that you look up to and people that will push you to be the best you can be. After meeting my peers during Finalist Weekend and receiving advice and mentorship from older scholars and other members of the FASP community, it was clear to me that this is exactly what I wanted my academic community to look like in college.

What makes your scholar cohort unique?
I think what makes my scholar cohort unique is our spirit. The heart of our cohort is packed to the brim with the coolest and most unique combination of different passions, interests, backgrounds, ambitions and personalities. I feel like I will never get tired of getting to know the other scholars in my cohort and the fun bond we already share is truly so special.