My name is Alexis Corteguera, and my journey has been shaped by hardship, resilience, and the unshakable desire to turn pain into purpose. I was raised by a single mother who, despite battling her own struggles with addiction and poverty, never stopped fighting to build a better life for me. Her strength was the first lesson I ever learned, and it is one I carry with me every day. Growing up, money was always tight. We lived paycheck to paycheck, and sometimes we didn’t even have that. There were nights when we didn’t know how we’d keep the lights on, and mornings when we had to choose between gas or groceries. But through it all, my mom made sure I felt safe and loved. She made hard choices so I could have a real shot at a future she never had. She worked endlessly to provide for me, and after getting clean, she took the bold step of getting her own home. That moment marked a turning point in both of our lives—one built not on wealth, but on perseverance. Even in the face of financial adversity, my mom prioritized my education. She enrolled me in the best schools she could find, even if it meant driving farther, sacrificing time, or navigating complex school systems. She encouraged me to see education as the key to freedom—freedom from poverty, from fear, and from the limitations life had tried to place on both of us. I grew up understanding that school was not just a place to earn grades, but a path to transformation. Everything changed during my freshman year of high school when my mom was diagnosed with liver cancer. Watching the strongest person I knew grow weaker each day was heartbreaking. Even while fighting for her life, she never stopped supporting mine. She would ask me about school, check in on my grades, and encourage me to dream bigger, even from a hospital bed. Her focus remained on my future, not her pain. When she passed away in November of 2024, my world shifted entirely. Grief hit hard, but so did a new sense of determination. I knew I had two choices—let the loss break me, or let it shape me. I chose to keep going, not just for myself, but for her. That’s when I discovered my passion for genetics. What first drew me to genetics was the idea that our DNA carries the keys to understanding who we are, what we’re at risk for, and how we can be healed. I began reading about gene therapy, hereditary disease, and the power of personalized medicine. I couldn’t stop thinking about how many lives could be changed—how many families could be spared the pain mine went through—if we could understand and treat diseases at the genetic level. Since then, I’ve taken steps to explore this field. I’ve completed online courses in molecular biology and genetics, learning the foundational science behind DNA, gene expression, and the technologies that allow us to edit or study genetic code. At school, I joined the science club and led projects related to heredity, Punnett squares, and dominant traits. These activities sparked deeper conversations with my teachers and peers and showed me how much I enjoyed not just learning science, but sharing it. One of the most impactful experiences I’ve had so far was shadowing a genetic counselor. I watched how she translated complex genetic information into something patients could understand. More importantly, I saw how she offered comfort, knowledge, and options to families facing frightening diagnoses. In those moments, I saw the blend of science and humanity I hope to bring to my own future career. I plan to pursue a career in medicine with a focus on genetics and clinical research. I want to be part of the future of healthcare—one where treatment plans are based on a patient’s unique genetic makeup, not just their symptoms. I want to work on developing therapies that target diseases at the source, and to help communities that have historically lacked access to advanced care and early detection tools. Too often, underserved families don’t receive timely diagnoses or personalized treatment. I want to help change that. My personal background has taught me more than any textbook could. Living through financial hardship has taught me how to stretch limited resources, how to advocate for myself, and how to keep moving even when the odds are stacked against me. Losing my mom has taught me how to grieve while growing, how to lead with empathy, and how to stay rooted in a purpose bigger than myself. I’ve also learned that success doesn’t look the same for everyone. For me, success means creating a life of service, grounded in the lessons of my past. It means becoming a doctor who listens, who seeks answers, and who works to ensure that no one is left behind due to where they come from or what they can afford. It means carrying my mom’s strength into every classroom, every lab, and eventually, every patient room I step into. There were many moments when it would have been easy to give up—when grief, stress, or financial pressure made everything feel impossible. But I didn’t. I kept going, and I will continue to keep going, because I believe I have something to offer. I believe that science, especially genetics, holds the potential to transform healthcare, and I want to be part of that transformation. Through my work in genetics and medicine, I hope to bring light into the darkest moments of people’s lives, just as my mom once did for me. My story begins with hardship, but it will continue with healing—not only for myself, but for others who are still searching for answers, hope, and care.

My name is Alexis Corteguera, and I have been shaped by both personal loss and a deep desire to understand the science behind healing. My educational and career goals are rooted in something very personal, watching my mom battle liver cancer. Through that experience, I learned firsthand how painful it is to feel powerless in the face of disease. That loss didn’t just leave a void, it planted a drive in me to pursue answers, to help others, and to be part of the solution. That drive led me to genetics. My mom didn’t have an easy life. She struggled with addiction but fought hard to rise above it. Her journey of recovery showed me what real strength looks like. She got clean, built a stable life for us, and made sure I went to the best schools she could find. Even when she became sick, she pushed me to stay focused on school, to dream big, and to never let pain stop me from growing. When she passed away in November of 2024, I felt lost, but her example gave me a sense of purpose that I carry with me every day. What draws me to genetics is the idea that within our DNA lie both the questions and the answers to some of the world’s most difficult medical challenges. I’m fascinated by how genes can tell stories about who we are, what we’re at risk for, and how we can be treated. After seeing how limited treatment options were for my mom, I began exploring how genetics could help identify diseases earlier and create more effective, personalized treatments. To pursue this interest, I’ve taken every opportunity to learn more. I’ve completed online courses in molecular biology and genetics, read articles on gene editing and inherited disorders, and participated in science projects at school focused on heredity and genetic traits. I even had the opportunity to shadow a genetic counselor, where I saw how genetic information is used not just in theory but in the real world, to help patients make informed decisions and to provide families with hope and understanding. My goal is to become a medical professional who specializes in genetics, either through clinical research or medical practice. I want to be part of the movement toward personalized medicine, where treatments are based on an individual's genetic profile rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. I want to help develop tools to detect diseases early, create therapies that target them more precisely, and ultimately reduce the number of families who have to experience what mine did. But more than anything, I want to bring compassion into science. I know what it’s like to be on the other side of the diagnosis, to sit in a hospital room and hope for a miracle. I want to be the person who helps deliver those miracles, not just through medicine, but through kindness, understanding, and a commitment to finding answers. My journey began with loss, but it continues with purpose. I want to use my education and future medical career to honor my mom’s resilience and to bring healing and hope to others, one discovery at a time.

I was 19 when I found out my mom had liver cancer. I remember the moment clearly—how the world seemed to pause, how my chest tightened, and how everything I thought I understood about life and health suddenly changed. Watching her go through her battle with a terminal illness was heartbreaking. Each hospital visit, each treatment, each time I saw her in pain added to a growing feeling deep inside me: I couldn’t just stand by. I had to do something with this pain—turn it into purpose. This past November, I lost my mom. Even now, the grief is heavy. But in the middle of that pain is a fire that drives me. Her strength in her final months inspired me more than anything ever could. I am committed to honoring her by dedicating my life to the field of medicine, especially oncology. I want to be a part of the effort to find better treatments—and one day, a cure—for cancer. My name is Lexi, and my passion for science began long before my mom’s diagnosis. Ever since I was young, I was fascinated by how the human body works and how medicine could help people heal. But when my mom got sick, science became personal. I no longer just wanted to learn—I wanted to solve, to treat, to comfort, and to change lives. My chemistry teacher once challenged me to invent a sunscreen pill. I promised her I would. While it started as a playful challenge, that promise sparked something real. It showed me that I could be someone who pushes boundaries in medicine, who explores new ideas, and who develops creative solutions. That moment stays with me as a symbol of who I want to be: a doctor who thinks boldly and compassionately. Today, I want to bring that same energy into oncology and patient care. I don’t just want to treat cancer—I want to understand it deeply and work toward advancements that improve both survival and quality of life. I’m especially interested in pain management and palliative care, because even when a cure isn’t yet possible, dignity and comfort should never be out of reach. As an underrepresented minority in medicine, I bring a unique perspective that’s urgently needed. I’ve seen how systemic gaps can affect care, access, and outcomes. I want to be part of the change—someone patients can connect with, trust, and feel truly seen by. I also hope to inspire others from similar backgrounds to pursue careers in medicine and research. Diversity strengthens the medical field and leads to better, more empathetic care. This scholarship would lift a huge financial burden. Since my mom’s illness, medical bills and everyday expenses have stretched my family thin. Now, the rising cost of higher education adds to that weight. This support would allow me to focus on my education and training without constantly worrying about how to afford it. It would give me the stability I need to keep pushing forward. Losing my mom changed my life, but it also gave me direction. I plan to use my medical career to bring hope where there is pain, solutions where there is uncertainty, and love where there is loss. That’s how I’ll honor her memory—and make my impact on the world.

My name is Lexi, and ever since I was young, I’ve had a natural curiosity about science and the human body. I was the kid who always asked “why” and “how,” especially when it came to things like how the body heals or how medicine works. That early interest grew stronger over time, but it wasn’t until high school that I began to see myself actually pursuing a career in the medical field. One day in chemistry class, my teacher told me, “You should invent a sunscreen pill someday.” At the time, it seemed like a passing comment, but it planted a seed in my mind. For the first time, I started to imagine myself as someone who could contribute to scientific innovation and help others in a real, impactful way. That idea of making a difference through science took on a whole new meaning when I experienced the painful loss of my mother to liver cancer. Watching her struggle and eventually lose her battle was the most difficult thing I’ve ever had to go through. It left me feeling helpless, but it also gave me a new sense of purpose. I knew I wanted to be part of the solution—to help find better ways to treat cancer, manage pain, and support families during their hardest moments. Now, I’m focused on building a future in the medical field with a strong interest in oncology. I want to contribute to cancer research and treatment—not just by studying the disease, but by being someone who listens, advocates, and truly cares for patients. I believe that medicine should be about more than just treating symptoms; it should be about healing with empathy and addressing the whole person—physically, emotionally, and mentally. My long-term goal is to help develop more effective, accessible cancer treatments, and maybe even contribute to finding a cure. I also want to work on creating ways to manage pain more humanely, so that no one has to suffer the way my mother did. In the short term, I’m focused on gaining a strong foundation through education, internships, and real-world experience in healthcare and science. Every class I take and every skill I learn brings me one step closer to that goal. As an underrepresented minority in STEM, I also carry with me the responsibility and hope of paving the way for others like me. Diversity in medicine matters—not just for equity in the field, but for better care overall. Patients come from all backgrounds, and they deserve to be treated by professionals who understand and reflect their experiences. I want to be one of those professionals. I want young students who look like me to know that they belong here too. Through my future career, I hope to be a source of innovation, comfort, and change. Whether I’m working in a lab, helping patients at a hospital, or mentoring the next generation of scientists and doctors, I plan to use my voice, my skills, and my heart to make a lasting, positive impact on the world.

My inspiration to pursue a career in the medical field stems from a lifelong fascination with science and a deeply personal experience that changed my life forever. From a young age, I was always curious about how the human body works—how it heals, how it breaks down, and how science can be used to fix what goes wrong. I was the kind of kid who loved asking questions and learning about the "why" behind everything. Science was the one subject that never got boring to me because it always felt like there was more to discover. That curiosity started to turn into something more serious during high school. I had a chemistry teacher who believed in my potential and helped me see science as more than just a subject—it could be a future. One day, after a lesson about UV rays and skin protection, she told me, “You should invent a sunscreen pill one day.” At first, I laughed it off, but the comment stuck with me. It made me feel like I could actually be a problem solver, an innovator—someone who makes a real impact. From that day forward, I started thinking about science not just as a subject I liked, but as a path I wanted to walk for the rest of my life. That path became even more defined when I experienced the devastating loss of my mother to liver cancer. Watching her go through months of pain, treatments, and hospital visits—only to lose the battle—was the most heartbreaking experience I’ve ever had. I felt powerless, and I kept thinking, “There has to be something more we can do.” That experience turned my interest in science into a personal mission. I knew then that I wanted to work in the medical field, and specifically, I started leaning toward oncology. Now, I want to be part of the change. Whether it’s working in research to help discover new treatments or being a healthcare professional who supports patients through their most difficult moments, I want to make a difference in people’s lives. I want to help create a world where a diagnosis like cancer doesn’t automatically mean fear and suffering. Even if I can’t find a cure, I want to be part of improving the quality of care—making treatments more effective, accessible, and less painful. I also understand how important it is to have diverse voices in medicine. As an underrepresented minority, I know how rare it is to see someone who looks like me in medical leadership roles. That can be discouraging for young students who might feel like they don’t belong in this field. I want to be someone who changes that. Representation matters, especially in healthcare, where patients deserve to feel seen, understood, and cared for by people who come from all walks of life. Through my career, I hope to combine science, compassion, and advocacy to bring comfort to patients and change to the healthcare system. I don’t just want to treat illnesses—I want to restore hope. And I truly believe that’s possible.

I chose to study a STEM field because of a lifelong passion for science and a personal desire to help others through innovation and medical advancement. Ever since I was a child, I’ve been drawn to understanding how the human body works and how science can be used to solve real-world problems. In high school, this curiosity deepened. During a chemistry class, my teacher told me, “You should invent a sunscreen pill one day.” That comment, though casual, sparked something in me. It made me feel seen, capable and inspired. I began to view science not only as something interesting but as a path to make a difference. That motivation became even more personal when I lost my mother to liver cancer. Watching her suffer and feeling helpless during her final days changed my perspective entirely. I didn’t just want to study science any more—I wanted to be a part of changing how we understand, treat, and manage cancer. Now, I am deeply considering a career in oncology. My long-term goal is to become a medical researcher or healthcare professional focused on cancer treatment, working either in a lab to find a cure or directly with patients to improve care and pain management. In the short term, I am focused on building a strong foundation in science and healthcare, gaining hands-on experience, and exploring research opportunities that align with my interests. Being an underrepresented minority in STEM impacts how I see my future. There are still far too few people who look like me in labs, hospitals, and research institutions. That reality used to intimidate me—but now it fuels me. I want to be part of the change. Representation matters, especially in healthcare, where patients often feel more understood and supported when they see diversity in those who care for them. I hope to not only break barriers for myself but also open doors for others who may not yet see themselves in this field. By succeeding, I hope to inspire other young students—especially those from underrepresented backgrounds—to believe that they can belong in science too. This scholarship would help me tremendously. Like many students, I carry the weight of financial stress while trying to focus on my education. With the rising cost of tuition, books, lab materials, and other expenses, financial support would allow me to concentrate more fully on my academic and professional goals. It would mean fewer hours worrying about money, and more time dedicated to learning, researching, and making the most of every opportunity that comes my way. In short, my passion for science is deeply rooted in personal experience and a drive to make a difference. As a student from an underrepresented group, I bring not only determination but also a unique perspective to the STEM field. This scholarship would be more than just financial aid—it would be an investment in a future healthcare professional committed to using science to help others, uplift communities, and bring about real change.

When I was young, I always had an interest in science. I loved exploring how things worked—especially the human body. I was fascinated by the idea that something invisible to the naked eye, like a molecule or a strand of DNA, could impact someone’s life in such a powerful way. That natural curiosity followed me into high school, where I found myself drawn to subjects like biology and chemistry. One moment in particular stands out to me. During chemistry class, we were learning about UV rays and the importance of sun protection. Out of nowhere, my teacher turned to me and said, “You should invent a sunscreen pill one day.” It caught me off guard, but it also lit something inside me. It was the first time someone saw potential in me to be a problem solver—to use science to make a real difference. From that day forward, I was set. I started imagining possibilities, asking more questions, and thinking of science not just as something interesting, but as something I could use to help others. That initial spark evolved into something much deeper after a life-changing personal experience. My mother passed away after a difficult battle with liver cancer. Watching someone you love go through that kind of pain is something you never forget. I felt helpless, frustrated, and heartbroken. But I also felt determined. I knew I wanted to do something with my life that would honor her and help others who are going through the same thing. That’s when I started thinking more seriously about oncology. Now, my goal is to enter the medical or research field with a focus on cancer. I want to be part of the effort to find a cure—or at the very least, develop better treatments that are more effective and less painful. Even if it’s not a cure, I want to help find a way to make the experience easier for patients and their families. Whether it’s through scientific discovery, clinical care, or pain management innovation, I want to be a part of the solution. STEM gives me a pathway to do that. It combines everything I love—solving problems, learning how the body works, and using knowledge to make a difference in people’s lives. My experiences, both in the classroom and in my personal life, have shaped me into someone who isn’t just interested in science—I’m driven by it. I’ve seen firsthand how important it is, and I want to be the person who helps bring hope, healing, and answers to others.