"Ineligible." That one word stood blocking my path at the doorway of every opportunity while my friends walked freely through. My H-4 visa status became a constant barrier, slamming shut each door I approached—summer programs, internships, and scholarships—all inaccessible, no matter how qualified I was. But instead of letting these obstacles define me, I turned them into stepping stones. Rather than accept the walls rising before me, I built my own doorway through them. That doorway became Learn It, a nonprofit dedicated to providing free STEM education and college prep resources to students facing similar barriers. What started as small webinars on college applications and career pathways for first-generation immigrants like myself quickly grew into an international platform, reaching over 1,000 members across 40 countries. Determined to expand our impact, I organized the Learn It Global Hackathon, where 470 participants tackled health and sustainability challenges, judged by Meta, Amazon, and JPMorgan professionals. Through partnerships with organizations like Wolfram and Desmos, we distributed over $20,000 in prizes, ensuring young innovators had the resources to turn ideas into action. Beyond hackathons, I sought to bridge the gap between students and opportunities. I secured research internships at institutions like the Broad Institute of MIT & Harvard, Dartmouth, and UMass Amherst, proving that persistence could break systemic limitations. These experiences reinforced my passion for computational biology and artificial intelligence while equipping me with the tools to mentor others navigating the same struggles I once faced. Education has always been my most potent weapon against adversity, but talent and ambition alone aren't enough—access and opportunity are just as vital. I am expanding Learn It's reach by developing an AI-driven mentorship platform, connecting students with personalized learning resources and industry mentors based on their interests. I also aim to partner with local schools and libraries to integrate Learn It's resources into curricula and after-school programs, ensuring that students from all backgrounds have access to quality education. Valerie Rabb believed in uplifting students and ensuring they had the guidance and support to reach their full potential. Her legacy of service mirrors my own mission to break down barriers for others. I want to carry that legacy forward—not just by overcoming my own limitations but by empowering others to do the same. For a long time, I saw ineligibility as a full stop. Now, I recognize it as an invitation to innovate. Every ineligible is an opportunity to be a changemaker—to transform obstacles into action and barriers into bridges for others.

I see myself as a positive force — I want to assist others and improve the world. Being someone who has been denied many opportunities due to my H-4 visa status, I understand what it is like to be excluded from something and the immense impact this has on one's future. But rather than allowing these barriers to be what define me, I took action against them. This drives my vision of being a positive force: the ability to turn adversity into an opportunity for personal growth and community improvement. One of the ways I intentionally try to make a positive difference is through my nonprofit, Learn It. My personal experiences, particularly the barriers I faced due to my H-4 visa status, have deeply influenced my work. I founded Learn It to provide free STEM education and college prep resources to students facing similar obstacles. By creating a community that unites over 1,000 members across 40 countries, I've made a space where students can access the information and support they need to thrive, regardless of their circumstances. I also organized the Learn It Global Hackathon, where I brought together young changemakers worldwide to collaborate on global health and sustainability issues. These initiatives also reflect my values that we must contribute to society and assist others to achieve their potential, similar to how I have endeavored to fulfill my own. In addition to supporting resources, my influence aims bigger. I see social norms—as our shared conceptions, attitudes, and assumptions—playing an incredibly significant role in shaping what we see, think, feel, and do. I have seen firsthand as I have grown up how conventional expectations can reinforce stereotypes, shut off doors of opportunity, and increase disparities. I made a conscious choice to challenge such expectations by focusing on projects that empower the oppressed. For example, with Learn It, I have consistently advocated for diversity and inclusion and ensured that people from all walks of life have access to the same learning materials and opportunities that most others take for granted. By giving up on outdated norms willingly and opening space for individuals of all walks to thrive, I wish to contribute to a society that values fairness, compassion, and sagacity. Our work at Learn It challenges the norm that education and opportunities should be limited by one's circumstances, and instead, we strive to provide equal access to all. Moreover, social norms regarding achievement and success are far too often defined narrowly, focusing on outdated indicators like grades or test scores. But through practice, I have learned that achievement transcends boundaries. Integrity, empathy, and a commitment to lifelong learning are the qualities that truly define a successful individual. In my own life, I've worked to balance my academic achievements with an unwavering focus on personal values. For instance, my internships and projects at organizations like the Broad Institute at MIT & Harvard have prepared me to be a proficient problem-solver, and having worked on hosting hackathons and leading Learn It has grounded me in respect, collaboration, and paying forward. In the future, I see myself as someone who keeps challenging and reforming social norms, particularly in education and technology. I aspire to use my work in computational biology and AI to bridge gaps in medicine and education and provide such services to those in need. As I move along in my career, I look forward to encouraging others to break free from conventional thinking and create a world where all individuals, irrespective of background, have a chance to learn, develop, and give.

"Ineligible." That one word stood blocking my path at the doorway of every opportunity while my friends walked freely through. My H-4 visa status became a constant barrier, slamming shut each door I approached—summer programs, internships, and scholarships—all inaccessible, no matter how qualified I was. But while some doors remained closed, I refused to accept that as my reality. Instead of waiting for access, I built my doorway. That doorway became Learn It, a nonprofit dedicated to providing free STEM education and college prep resources to students facing similar barriers. What started as small webinars on college applications and career pathways for first-generation immigrants like myself quickly became an international platform, reaching over 1,000 members across 40 countries. Determined to expand our impact, I organized the Learn It Global Hackathon, where 470 participants tackled pressing health and sustainability challenges. The event drew professionals from Meta, Amazon, and JPMorgan as judges. Through partnerships with organizations like Wolfram and Desmos, we distributed over $20,000 in prizes, giving young innovators the resources to turn ideas into action. But I didn't stop there. I saw another gap: students lacked access to research opportunities—the same barrier I had fought against. So, I set out to break that cycle for myself and others. Through relentless outreach and self-initiated projects, I secured research internships at the Broad Institute at MIT & Harvard, Dartmouth, and UMass Amherst, proving that persistence could break systemic limitations. At the Broad Institute, I worked on CoMut, a genomic visualization tool that helps researchers analyze cancer mutation data. My contributions made the tool more flexible and user-friendly, allowing scientists to interpret complex datasets better. At Dartmouth, I explored knowledge graph reasoning, using AI to enhance data-driven decision-making. These experiences cemented my passion for computational biology and artificial intelligence, igniting my curiosity about how technology can revolutionize medicine and education. This curiosity drives my goal to innovate in these fields, improving accessibility to resources for underserved communities. Beyond Learn It, I launched Global Wellness Watch, a platform dedicated to breaking down complex health and environmental issues through accessible, data-driven storytelling. Over time, our work amassed 75,000+ views, further reinforcing my belief that knowledge isn't just meant to be acquired and shared. Through platforms like Learn It and Global Wellness Watch, I aim to bridge educational gaps and solve global challenges in health and sustainability. By inspiring and empowering future leaders, I hope to create pathways for others to tackle these pressing issues, just as I have worked to overcome barriers that once seemed insurmountable. I am furthering Learn It's mission by developing an AI-driven mentorship platform, connecting students with personalized learning resources and industry mentors based on their interests. I also aim to partner with local schools and libraries to integrate Learn It's resources into curricula and after-school programs, ensuring that students from all backgrounds have access to quality education. Books like The Innovator's Dilemma and Educated have shaped my understanding of disruption and resilience, reinforcing the importance of persistence, innovation, and the transformative power of education. These works guide my efforts to help others break through their barriers and access the opportunities I once had to fight for. While I once saw "ineligible" as a complete stop, I now recognize it as an invitation to innovate. Every "ineligible" is an opportunity to be a Changemaker—to transform obstacles into action and barriers into bridges for others. This scholarship will provide the tools to pursue my dreams of combining AI, health, and education. It will allow me to gain access to world-class resources and research opportunities, enabling me to continue building platforms like Learn It while advancing my knowledge to create lasting societal impact. And I am just getting started.

"Ineligible". That one word stood blocking my path at the doorway of every opportunity while my friends walked freely through. My H-4 visa status became a constant barrier, slamming shut each door that I approached—summer programs, internships, and scholarships—all inaccessible, no matter how qualified I was. Rather than accept the walls rising before me, I built my doorway through them. That doorway became Learn It, a nonprofit dedicated to providing free STEM education and college prep resources to students facing similar barriers. What started as small webinars on college applications and career pathways for first-generation immigrants like myself quickly became an international platform, reaching over 1,000 members across 40 countries. Determined to expand our impact, I organized the Learn It Global Hackathon, where 470 participants tackled health and sustainability challenges, judged by Meta, Amazon, and JPMorgan professionals. Through partnerships with organizations like Wolfram and Desmos, we distributed over $20,000 in prizes, ensuring young innovators had the resources to turn ideas into action. Beyond hackathons, I sought to bridge the gap between students and opportunities. I secured research internships at institutions like the Broad Institute at MIT & Harvard, Dartmouth, and UMass Amherst, proving that persistence could break through systemic limitations. These experiences reinforced my passion for computational biology and artificial intelligence and gave me the tools to mentor others navigating the same struggles I once faced. Now, I am expanding Learn It's reach by developing an AI-driven mentorship platform, connecting students with personalized learning resources and industry mentors based on their interests. I also aim to partner with local schools and libraries to integrate Learn It's resources into curricula and after-school programs, ensuring that students from all backgrounds have access to quality education. While I once saw "ineligible" as a complete stop, I now recognize it as an invitation to innovate. Every ineligible is an opportunity to be a Chi Changemaker—to transform obstacles into action and barriers into bridges for others.

I've often found myself ineligible—not due to a lack of talent, but because of my status as an H-4 visa holder. This has meant being excluded from many summer programs, scholarships, and internships my peers can access. While these challenges have been discouraging, I've never let them define me. Instead, I've turned each "ineligible" moment into an opportunity to innovate, adapt, and push forward. I was raised learning that the world is not a playground that would take care of all, considering systemic barriers. Those same barriers motivated me instead of holding me back to create my opportunities. I founded Learn It, a nonprofit focused on empowering through education, specifically health and sustainability. Through Learn It, I've helped over 1,000 students access STEM education, health awareness programs, and resources that have empowered them to pursue their academic and career goals. In high school, I co-founded the Global Health Awareness Club to raise awareness about global health challenges, including access to healthcare, the climate crisis, and public health policy. We put together campaigns, organized fundraising events, and partnered with organizations of like-mindedness to expand our reach. These have shaped me into a great leader and sealed my commitment to using my education and abilities in service to others. One of the most transformative experiences in my journey was the internship at the Broad Institute at MIT & Harvard, where I developed visualizations to present genomic data on cancer. The experience opened my eyes to the great potential of technology and its limitations when deployed without considering broader societal needs. During this period, I took a serious interest in the fusion between technology and policy, especially in how the fields can coalesce to help solve some global issues: making healthcare more accessible and creating a more environmentally sustainable future. Having been rendered ineligible for most conventional opportunities, I have constantly applied for those that would provide an avenue for making a meaningful contribution. In these two years at Dartmouth College, I have led projects on fine-grained personalized summary improvement using knowledge graph reasoning, addressed projects related to sustainable water-purifying technologies, or made actions to improve treatment outcomes in oncology. Both of these firmly set in my belief that technology might be necessary for critical global challenges, not just having skills but applying and honing them thoughtfully and collaboratively. Beyond academics, I've embraced leadership roles in the Global Health Awareness Club and the Computer Science Club, organizing hackathons and workshops on creating solutions for real-world problems. These experiences taught me how to bring diverse perspectives together, fostering collaboration to address health, technology, and sustainability challenges. Looking ahead, my aspirations are clear: to continue applying technology in pursuit of global health and sustainability challenges, to bring policy into technological innovation, and to create opportunities that have not existed. And all those "ineligible" moments created one stepping stone in my path, which allowed me to get stronger and rise above. Jonny Barbosa's legacy of perseverance, community-building, and empowering others resonates deeply with me. Like him, I am determined to make a lasting impact. I will ensure that every "ineligible" moment is not a barrier but a stepping stone toward creating positive change. My journey has defied the odds, and I am committed to making my story one of hope and opportunity for others.