LoginJoin Bold.org
user profile avatar

Ashley Solis

2x

Finalist

1x

Winner

General information

Hobbies & Interests

  • Anatomy
  • Anime
  • Baking
  • Ballet
  • Biology
  • Cognitive Science
  • Drums
  • Ethnic Studies
  • Foreign Languages
  • French
  • Gaming
  • Music
  • Neuroscience
  • Medicine
  • Biomedical Sciences

Reading

  • Action
  • Adult Fiction
  • Adventure
  • Book Club
  • Classics
  • Fantasy
  • Folklore
  • Horror
  • Young Adult

I read books multiple times a month.

Bio

After witnessing the life-changing effects of a stroke on my grandfather, I developed a lifelong commitment to preventing others from experiencing similar hardships. Now a sophomore majoring in Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience, I focus my studies on understanding the personality and behavioral changes that can occur after a stroke, with the goal of developing early interventions, innovative treatments, and preventative measures. I believe stroke prevention and treatment extend beyond saving lives—they also protect families and communities from lasting emotional and social impacts. My passion lies in exploring strategies to reduce stroke occurrence and increase the window for effective treatment, whether through surgical procedures, medications, or new therapeutic approaches. Following my undergraduate degree, I plan to attend medical school and specialize in neurosurgery. My long-term aspirations include completing a neurosurgical residency, becoming Head of Neurosurgery at a hospital, and eventually opening my own practice. I aim to combine clinical expertise with research to advance treatments for neurological illnesses and improve surgical techniques. Through collaboration with global medical professionals, I hope to create innovative solutions that enhance patient outcomes and quality of life.

Education

Texas A&M University- College Station

Bachelor's degree program

2024 – 2028

Majors:
  • Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language
  • Behavioral Sciences
  • Neurobiology and Neurosciences
Minors:
  • Medicine
  • Philosophy

South Texas College

Associate's degree program

2021 – 2024

Majors:
  • Biology, General

Weslaco East High School

High School

2020 – 2024

Miscellaneous

Desired degree level:
Doctoral degree program (PhD, MD, JD, etc.)
Majors of interest:
Neurobiology and Neurosciences, Behavioral Sciences, Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language
Desired degree modality:
In-Person, Full-Time
Medical school interest:
Yes
English as first language:
No
Homeschooled:
Yes

Career

  • Intern

    Medicine · Doctors Hospital at Renaissance

    Jan 2024 – Jan 2024

  • Research Assistant

    Research · Texas A&M University

    Jan 2025 – Present

Miscellaneous

Dream career field:
Biomedical Engineering, Hospital & Health Care, Medicine, Neuroscience, Research
Dream career goals:
My long-term career goal is to become a neurosurgeon specializing in the prevention and treatment of stroke-related brain damage. I aspire to lead advancements in surgical techniques and neurological care, ultimately serving as the Head of Neurosurgery at a hospital. Beyond clinical work, I plan to conduct research to develop innovative treatments for neurological illnesses, improve patient outcomes, and collaborate with medical professionals worldwide. Ultimately, I aim to open my own practice that integrates cutting-edge research with patient-centered care, making a lasting impact on the field of neuroscience and the lives of those affected by neurological conditions.
Work experience:
0 years
Has nursing license:
No
Leadership experience:
Yes

Future Interests

  • Advocacy
  • Volunteering
  • Philanthropy
  • Entrepreneurship
Catrina Celestine Aquilino Memorial Scholarship
My journey toward a medical career began not in a classroom, but in my own home, shaped by hardship, resilience, and hope. I grew up in an environment of domestic violence, with my father struggling with alcohol addiction. I can still remember the nights filled with my mother’s cries and my own confusion as I watched her being harmed. Eventually, my mother, a nurse, made the courageous choice to leave, taking my sister and me to live with my grandparents. Life with my grandparents brought safety and stability, but it also introduced me to one of the greatest challenges I’ve faced. In 2016, my grandfather—my role model and the man I consider a second father—suffered a severe stroke and was later diagnosed with vascular dementia. The swelling in his brain and uncontrollable seizures left doctors with little hope for his survival. That changed when Dr. Khan, a neurosurgeon, took the time to look deeper into his case. He discovered the cause of the swelling, adjusted the treatment, and ultimately saved my grandfather’s life. Though my grandfather was left with significant brain damage, we were given more precious time with him—time that would have been lost if Dr. Khan had given up. Witnessing that moment inspired me to pursue neurosurgery. I am currently majoring in Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience, the first step toward medical school and a neurosurgical residency. My goal is to combine technical expertise with compassion to save lives, restore hope, and improve the quality of life for patients and their families. But my vision extends beyond individual patients. I plan to make a positive impact by expanding access to neurological care in underserved communities. Too often, advanced treatments and specialized surgeries are available only to those living in major cities or with financial resources. I want to change that by collaborating with hospitals, universities, and non-profit organizations to bring specialized care to rural and low-income areas. I also believe prevention is a critical part of making a lasting difference. Strokes and other neurological emergencies often have early warning signs, but they go unnoticed due to lack of public awareness. I plan to create outreach programs that teach communities how to recognize symptoms, seek immediate treatment, and adopt preventive health practices. These programs will be designed to reach people where they are—whether in schools, senior centers, churches, or community gatherings—so that life-saving knowledge is accessible to everyone. The lessons I have learned from my own life will guide me in this work. My childhood taught me resilience, my mother taught me perseverance, and my grandfather’s illness taught me the value of skilled, compassionate medical care. These experiences have given me not only a passion for medicine, but also a sense of responsibility to ensure that the care I provide benefits more than just the individual patient—it must uplift entire families and communities. Ultimately, I hope to leave a legacy that blends medical innovation with human connection. I want to be a physician who is remembered not just for performing successful surgeries, but for listening, caring, and fighting for every life entrusted to me. My dream is to transform my personal hardships into hope for others, using my skills to heal both the brain and the heart. Through neurosurgery, I will strive to make a positive impact that reaches far beyond the operating room—changing not only outcomes, but lives.
Ashley Solis Student Profile | Bold.org