During my summer internships with Project Ace in collaboration with my high school, we used the Java programming language to analyze RNA sequencing to aid our research. We also used an Inkjet Bio-Printer to print Human Dermal Fibroblasts, something which was amazing to see! This allowed us to explore the world of stem cells and the opportunities for advancing research to cultivate these more ethically. I have had the honor to present that research twice at the Biomedical Engineering Society conference. This has allowed me to see the importance of not just participating in research but also in sharing what I have learned with others. I hope to be leading that research in the future or continue to fund and participate in it to see it to completion. My research in Nuclear Deformation of Inkjet-Bioprinted Human Dermal Fibroblasts the last two summers has allowed me to see the side of science we do not normally get to see. The hard work that happens on the back end which not everyone truly sees or appreciates. The many technologies that are involved in making research successful. Working hand in hand with the University of Texas at El Paso has shown me this side of innovation and how important it is to our society. We need to continue to advance technology through the use of AI and other future innovations to continue to advance as a society. I hope to contribute to the STEM world with my innovations and am excited to be pursuing a career in STEM.

The very first time I experienced an asthma attack I was at a family cookout and I thought it was anxiety. My mother rushed me home, and I felt embarrassed that everyone had seen me gasping for air and we did not know why. Countless Dr. visits later, we learned I needed to take a trip to our local pediatric pulmonologist. He had a four-month wait! We used the recommended course of treatment my pediatrician provided me and I was able to have some relief with my condition until we could get an expert opinion. Asthma, has a funny way of impacting your life even when you dont fully understand this as a child. From realizing that there is a massive need for medical specialization while you sit in an hours-long waiting room, to realizing that your prescription for the same inhaler that is supposed to be an emergency relief, will be charged exponentially higher depending on how they prescribe it. Watching your mom compare pricing for albuterol on apps like Good RX because its cheaper than your insurance opens up your eyes to how much this ailment takes its toll on your family and the funds they need to allocate towards healthcare. Emergency ER visits can keep your family grasping for funds to keep necessities like rent, water and electricity paid. I have a strong desire to study biomedical engineering with a focus on premed and later attend medical school. I live in a community where we urgently need specialists to come back and help our community. Although El Paso, TX has grown so much in many years, there is still a need for specialists in our area. I am not sure what I want to specialize in but my heart has always found working with children to be very fun and fulfilling. I want to study and specialize in something where I can work with kids in my community as a provider. As children we are told things like "that should not hurt" or "if you calm down it will hurt less" by people who treat us and specialize in something they do not understand because they have not experienced it. The empathy I feel I would be able to provide would make me a better provider if I do end up specializing in pulmonology. I would also possibly pursue research as I have found that the summer research I completed with Project Ace in collaboration with my school, Canutillo High School was very enlightening. I have had the honor to present that research twice at the Biomedical Engineering Society conference. My research in Nuclear Deformation of Inkjet-Bioprinted Human Dermal Fibroblasts the last two summers has allowed me to see the side of science we do not normally get to see. I hope that with your scholarship, my medical needs will be something I do not have to worry about while I pursue my career in medicine and STEM. Thank you for your consideration!

Hello, My name is April Ruiz. I am a daughter to a single mother and have two little sister who reside with us in our home. I am a talented and motivated individual and if you tell my mother, "great job on such an amazing kid" she will blush and say this was all me. Although she cannot take credit for my hard work and education, she never gives herself the credit for the love and safety that she provided for me which allowed me to be so successful. You see my father is an alcoholic, and although he tries to be there for me, she is the one providing for all of my needs. She has at times worked two jobs to keep a roof over our heads. This is something that has allowed me to grow strong and see that with desire and perseverance anything is possible. She has made me a leader and a strong young woman. I have been able to live a life where I feel normal, and loved and have an opportunity to advance even more academically. This is because of her. This scholarship will allow her to breathe, it will allow her to perhaps be able to visit me at college and not be budgeting daily on how I can get what I need while keeping food in my sister's bellies. I have a passion for Biomedical engineering. I have twice completed summer research with Project Ace in collaboration with my school, Canutillo High School. I have had the honor to present that research twice at the Biomedical Engineering Society conference. This has allowed me to see the importance of not just participating in research but also in sharing what I have learned with others. I hope to be leading that research in the future or continue to fund and participate in it to see it to completion. My research in Nuclear Deformation of Inkjet-Bioprinted Human Dermal Fibroblasts the last two summers has allowed me to see the side of science we do not normally get to see. The hard work that happens on the back end which not everyone truly sees or appreciates. Working hand in hand with the University of Texas at El Paso has shown me this side of innovation and how important it is to our society. One day, I hope to form a scholarship fund and pay it forward to future generations. College is stressful and not cheap for anyone pursuing a higher education. I hope that one day my education pays off not only for future generations but for society. I want to make an impact in any way I can!

Although I live in a low-income school district I have been lucky to see the growth of the community through funding that has allowed our education to advance from when my mother attended here. I will be a second-generation college student, my mother was the first. In her family, she is the only college graduate. This just shows how underfunding will keep opportunities like college far from reach from many people who would otherwise have such amazing potential. My goals in life are to make my family proud, study Biomedical Engineering and attend medical school. We have a duty to our communities to give back to our community members. I hope to do this through a medical career or research career. It is not lost on me that change in our community starts with our perseverance. My mother, although successful, is inundated with student loan debt that she took out to seek out a better future for me and my sisters. She did not realize she could have help through scholarships and work-study. As a first-generation student, she had no idea how to navigate college and that is something I am grateful to have moving into my future. Her sacrifice has allowed me to be able to achieve so much more. I have twice completed summer research with Project Ace in collaboration with my school, Canutillo High School. I have had the honor to present that research twice at the Biomedical Engineering Society conference. This has allowed me to see the importance of not just participating in research but also in sharing what I have learned with others. I hope to be leading that research in the future or continue to fund and participate in it to see it to completion. My research in Nuclear Deformation of Inkjet-Bioprinted Human Dermal Fibroblasts the last two summers has allowed me to see the side of science we do not normally get to see. The hard work that happens on the back end which not everyone truly sees or appreciates. Working hand in hand with the University of Texas at El Paso has shown me this side of innovation and how important it is to our society. One thing I know for sure is that I will take my successes and pay them forward to all of our future generations.

In my high school career, I have sought out several leadership and research positions. I volunteer when I can and love to work with my peers who may need help with their coursework. Collaborating with others makes me happy and provides fulfillment in my life. We learn and lead through teaching others and I will likely spend my lifetime seeking out opportunities to better myself through work with the community. I have served as community service committee head and secretary for the student council at my high school. I have twice completed summer research with Project Ace in collaboration with my school, Canutillo High School. I have had the honor to present that research twice at the Biomedical Engineering Society conference. This has allowed me to see the importance of not just participating in research but also in sharing what I have learned with others. This encourages others to provide input and expertise that we may be able to utilize in succeeding with our endeavors. I hope to be leading that research in the future or continue to fund and participate in it to see it to completion. My research in Nuclear Deformation of Inkjet-Bioprinted Human Dermal Fibroblasts the last two summers has allowed me to see the side of science we do not normally get to see. The hard work that happens on the back end which not everyone truly sees or appreciates. Working hand in hand with the University of Texas at El Paso has shown me this side of innovation and how important it is to our society. One day, we hope to be able to fully print a human organ. The impact this could have on society is something I hope to continue to be a part of and see to completion someday in my lifetime. We are asked to write essays, detailing what we want to be when we grow up. We are 17 and 18-year-olds who don't know much about this world and how things work. I hope to be a biomedical engineer someday, possibly going to medical school after that. The reality is, that I may fall in love with teaching or research and may never actually become a Dr. who practices medicine. What I do know, is that no matter what I decide to do in life. I will lead. I will lead because leaders, especially good ones, know that leading does not mean you are always right. It does not mean you always have the final say. It means you foster amazing learning opportunities for others and help them grow while learning from your team too. It means innovating and thinking outside the box. Taking risks but not at the expense of others. I was born to be a leader in this world.

In my high school career, I have sought out several leadership and research positions. I volunteer when I can and love to work with my peers who may need help with their coursework. Collaborating with others makes me happy and provides fulfillment in my life. We learn through teaching others and I will likely spend my lifetime seeking out opportunities to better myself through work with the community. I have served as community service committee head and secretary for the student council at my high school. I have twice completed summer research with Project Ace in collaboration with my school, Canutillo High School. I have had the honor to present that research twice at the Biomedical Engineering Society conference. This has allowed me to see the importance of not just participating in research but also in sharing what I have learned with others. This encourages others to provide input and expertise that we may be able to utilize in succeeding with our endeavors. I hope to be leading that research in the future or continue to fund and participate in it to see it to completion. My research in Nuclear Deformation of Inkjet-Bioprinted Human Dermal Fibroblasts the last two summers has allowed me to see the side of science we do not normally get to see. The hard work that happens on the back end which not everyone truly sees or appreciates. Working hand in hand with the University of Texas at El Paso has shown me this side of innovation and how important it is to our society. One day, we hope to be able to fully print a human organ. The impact this could have on society is something I hope to see someday in my lifetime. We are asked to write essays, detailing what we want to be when we grow up. We are 17 and 18-year-olds who don't know much about this world and how things work. I hope to be a biomedical engineer someday, possibly going to medical school after that. The reality is, that I may fall in love with teaching or research and may never actually become a Dr. who practices medicine. What I do know, is that no matter what I decide to do in life. I will lead. I will lead because leaders, especially good ones, know that leading does not mean you are always right. It does not mean you always have the final say. It means you foster amazing learning opportunities for others and help them grow while learning from your team too!

I love math because it is straightforward. Sure there are many different ways that you could approach a problem, but there can only be one correct answer. Whereas in English you could interpret one thing a million different ways, math is simple. I have always found that math comes easier to me than most other subjects. My pre-calculus teacher once told me "Math is the science of patterns" and I had never heard anyone explain the subject in a way that made perfect sense. I think part of the reason I have more fun learning math is that I can pick up on these different patterns early on. Seeing the different patterns helps me truly understand the reason behind different math concepts. I also have fun while I do math. I joined my school's math team this past year and I always have a great time working together to find solutions and the best way for us to solve problems at our competitions. Another reason that I love math is that is applicable in so many different parts of my life. For example, I use statistics and algebra in my science classes and for research. Math has always been my favorite class and it is a subject that never fails to interest me.