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Rebecca Parra

985

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Bio

Greetings! I'm Rebecca Parra, a passionate scholar at The University of Texas at San Antonio, on a mission to bridge the gap between data science and healthcare. Raised in an underserved border community as a Latina, I understand the unique challenges faced by my community. My commitment to change this narrative fuels my academic and research pursuits. As an active member of programs like Maximizing Access to Research Careers-2 and The Society of Undergraduate Research, I've embraced cutting-edge projects. Currently, I'm developing a multi-modal model using machine learning to predict cancer and staging, aiming to improve early detection and patient outcomes. My journey from limited resources to higher education underscores the transformative power of knowledge. I aspire to empower healthcare professionals by pursuing a Ph.D. in Biomedical Informatics, specializing in AI in Medicine, and creating efficient, accessible, and compassionate healthcare solutions. I'm honored to be considered for a scholarship and eager to continue my academic journey, inspire others, and contribute to a brighter, healthier future.

Education

The University of Texas at San Antonio

Bachelor's degree program
2023 - 2025
  • Majors:
    • Biology, General
    • Microbiological Sciences and Immunology
  • GPA:
    3

Laredo College

Associate's degree program
2020 - 2022
  • Majors:
    • Biology, General
  • GPA:
    3.7

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Doctoral degree program (PhD, MD, JD, etc.)

  • Graduate schools of interest:

  • Transfer schools of interest:

  • Majors of interest:

    • Microbiological Sciences and Immunology
    • Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology
    • Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other
  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Research

    • Dream career goals:

      Professor

    • Cake decorator

      Cakes of Glory
      2019 – 20201 year
    • Party Hostess

      Main Event
      2019 – 20201 year

    Research

    • Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology

      UTSA — Undergraduate student Researcher
      2023 – Present

    Public services

    • Volunteering

      LEAPS Laredo College — Fun activity coordinator
      2022 – 2022
    • Volunteering

      HEB Feast of Sharing — Serve meals
      2018 – 2018
    • Volunteering

      VITA — Tax assistant volunteer
      2019 – 2020
    • Volunteering

      HEB Feast of Sharing — Serve meals
      2022 – 2022

    Future Interests

    Advocacy

    Volunteering

    Project Kennedy Fighting Cancers of All Colors Scholarship
    Experiencing the impact of cancer within my own family has deeply shaped my educational and career aspirations. As I pursue a bachelor's degree in Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, I am driven not only by my passion for advancing healthcare but also by a profound personal connection to the fight against cancer. My journey into the world of academia began with an unwavering curiosity for research, fueled by the experiences of my family members. My grandfather's resilience in surviving colon cancer once and lymphoma twice serves as a constant reminder of the importance of medical advancements. Similarly, my cousin's ongoing battle with Lymphoma has shown me the urgency of finding innovative solutions in the fight against cancer. As a Latina who has lived below the poverty line all my life and was raised in the border region, I understand firsthand the challenges and disparities that communities like mine face in accessing quality healthcare and education. My family's high risk of developing cancer adds a personal dimension to my commitment to making a difference in the field of healthcare. My academic path has led me to explore the potential of data science and AI in revolutionizing healthcare. I am currently engaged in research, developing a multi-modal model that uses machine-learning algorithms to predict cancer and staging in breast cancer patients. By harnessing the power of machine-learning to analyze biopsy images and clinical records, I aim to contribute to the early and accurate detection of cancer, ultimately improving treatment outcomes. My dream extends beyond the laboratory and into the larger community, especially those underserved communities that face barriers like those I experienced growing up. I am motivated by a strong desire to ensure that individuals in communities like mine have access to the cutting-edge diagnostic and treatment solutions needed to fight cancer effectively. In a world where cancer can have a profound impact on families like mine, I am committed to being a catalyst for positive change. Through my pursuit of a Ph.D. in Biomedical Informatics, specializing in AI in Medicine, I will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to develop innovative solutions that address pressing healthcare challenges. My goal is to empower medical professionals with the tools they need to provide the best possible care to patients, particularly in the field of cancer medicine. My educational journey, research pursuits, and personal experiences with cancer converge in my vision of benefiting the community at large, especially those who face the challenges I grew up with. I aspire to lead the charge in pushing the boundaries of medical knowledge and technology to make the world of medicine more efficient, accessible, and compassionate. With each step forward in my studies and research, I am persistent in my commitment to creating a brighter and healthier future for all, especially those who have faced obstacles similar to mine.
    William Griggs Memorial Scholarship for Science and Math
    In my pursuit of higher education, I am currently studying for a bachelor's degree in Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, a field that has ignited my passion for advancing healthcare. Yet, my aspirations extend far beyond my undergraduate studies. As a Latina who has lived below the poverty line all my life and was raised in the border region, I understand firsthand the challenges and disparities that communities like mine face in accessing quality healthcare and education. My journey into the world of academia began with an unwavering curiosity for research. I have now learned about the potential of data science and AI in revolutionizing healthcare. This new passion has driven me towards research, which I am now a part of. I am currently in the process of developing a multi-modal model that uses machine-learning algorithms to predict cancer and staging. By utilizing the power of AI to analyze biopsy images and clinical records, I aim to contribute to the early and accurate detection of cancer, enabling more targeted and effective treatment strategies. Growing up, education was not always seen as a priority. However, my personal experiences have reinforced my belief in the transformative power of education and technology. The research I conduct with the technology I utilize serves as a great inspiration in demonstrating the transformative impact that data science and AI can have on medicine. It's proof of how education can break down barriers and empower individuals from underprivileged backgrounds to make a meaningful difference in the world. My dream extends beyond the laboratory and into the larger community, especially those underserved communities that face barriers like those I experienced growing up. I am motivated by a strong desire to make a difference in the field of healthcare. As I progress in my educational journey, I foresee myself taking my expertise to benefit my community by improving access to cutting-edge diagnostic and treatment solutions. By bridging the gap between research and practical application, I aim to enhance the efficiency of medical practices and, most importantly, the quality of patient care. In a world where advancements in medicine can mean the difference between life and death, I am committed to being a catalyst for positive change. Through my pursuit of a Ph.D. in Biomedical Informatics, I will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to develop innovative solutions that address pressing healthcare challenges. My goal is to empower medical professionals with the tools they need to provide the best possible care to patients, particularly in the field of cancer medicine. In conclusion, my educational journey, research pursuits, and passion for the transformative potential of data science and AI in medicine converge in my vision of benefiting the community at large, especially those who face the challenges I grew up with. I aspire to lead the charge in pushing the boundaries of medical knowledge and technology to make the world of medicine more efficient, accessible, and compassionate. With each step forward in my studies and research, I am persistent in my commitment to creating a brighter and healthier future for all, especially those who have faced obstacles similar to mine.
    Ward Green Scholarship for the Arts & Sciences
    In my pursuit of higher education, I am currently studying for a bachelor's degree in Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, a field that has ignited my passion for advancing healthcare. Yet, my aspirations extend far beyond my undergraduate studies. As a Latina who has lived below the poverty line all my life and was raised in the border region, I understand firsthand the challenges and disparities that communities like mine face in accessing quality healthcare and education. My journey into the world of academia began with an unwavering curiosity for research. I have now learned about the potential of data science and AI in revolutionizing healthcare. This new passion has driven me towards research, which I am now a part of. I am currently in the process of developing a multi-modal model that uses machine-learning algorithms to predict cancer and staging. By utilizing the power of AI to analyze biopsy images and clinical records, I aim to contribute to the early and accurate detection of cancer, enabling more targeted and effective treatment strategies. Growing up, education was not always seen as a priority. However, my personal experiences have reinforced my belief in the transformative power of education and technology. The research I conduct with the technology I utilize serves as a great inspiration in demonstrating the transformative impact that data science and AI can have on medicine. It's proof of how education can break down barriers and empower individuals from underprivileged backgrounds to make a meaningful difference in the world. My dream extends beyond the laboratory and into the larger community, especially those underserved communities that face barriers like those I experienced growing up. I am motivated by a strong desire to make a difference in the field of healthcare. As I progress in my educational journey, I foresee myself taking my expertise to benefit my community by improving access to cutting-edge diagnostic and treatment solutions. By bridging the gap between research and practical application, I aim to enhance the efficiency of medical practices and, most importantly, the quality of patient care. In a world where advancements in medicine can mean the difference between life and death, I am committed to being a catalyst for positive change. Through my pursuit of a Ph.D. in Biomedical Informatics, I will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to develop innovative solutions that address pressing healthcare challenges. My goal is to empower medical professionals with the tools they need to provide the best possible care to patients, particularly in the field of cancer medicine. In conclusion, my educational journey, research pursuits, and passion for the transformative potential of data science and AI in medicine converge in my vision of benefiting the community at large, especially those who face the challenges I grew up with. I aspire to lead the charge in pushing the boundaries of medical knowledge and technology to make the world of medicine more efficient, accessible, and compassionate. With each step forward in my studies and research, I am persistent in my commitment to creating a brighter and healthier future for all, especially those who have faced obstacles similar to mine.
    Elevate Women in Technology Scholarship
    The technology that has deeply inspired me with its potential to make the world a better place is the fusion of data science and artificial intelligence (AI), especially within medicine. The transformative impact of these technologies on healthcare is profound, offering new opportunities to enhance patient care, diagnosis, and treatment. Currently, I am part of a research project that exemplifies the powerful application of data science and AI in this field. My research aims to develop a multi-modal model that utilizes machine learning algorithms to predict cancer and staging based on biopsy images and clinical records. This innovative approach harnesses the wealth of data available in healthcare settings, combining image analysis with patient-specific information to improve the accuracy of cancer diagnosis and prognosis. This technology's potential to improve cancer medicine is nothing short of inspiring. It empowers physicians with tools to make more precise and timely decisions, leading to better patient outcomes. We can optimize treatment programs and tailored medication by combining data science and AI, thereby improving the quality of life for patients battling with diseases. As I delve deeper into my research, I am continually inspired by the real-world effects that these technologies have already demonstrated in medicine. Witnessing how data science and AI can unravel complex patterns within medical data and contribute to more efficient and effective patient care fills me with purpose and dedication. This technology not only expands the scope of what is possible in medicine, but it also demonstrates an ongoing commitment to improving the lives of cancer patients globally. In a world where advancements in healthcare can make all the difference, I am driven by the belief that the fusion of data science and AI is a beacon of hope, illuminating a path toward a brighter, healthier future for all.
    Rebecca Parra Student Profile | Bold.org