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Blake Robinson

1,495

Bold Points

1x

Finalist

1x

Winner

Bio

• medical researcher • patient advocate • hospital volunteer • physician shadower • community leader Hello, my name is Blake, I am a premed student at the University of Memphis double majoring in biochemistry and psychology. Due to my mother's participation in a landmark clinical trial neurosurgery in 2009, I want to become a neurosurgeon. Specifically, I want to become a neurosurgeon with an MD/PhD so I can combine my interests in patient care and research innovation. Through genetic research, I want to be able to develop genetically-precise pharmaceuticals that can reduce the need for surgical interventions for neurological disorders that typically need surgery. My favorite accomplishments are the various projects I have founded. From working with national NPOs and some of the world's largest healthcare systems, I have been able to lead initiatives helping my community where it needs it most. Thank you so much for the consideration of your scholarship.

Education

University of Memphis

Bachelor's degree program
2023 - 2027
  • Majors:
    • Psychology, General
    • Chemistry
  • Minors:
    • Biology, General

Bartlett High School

High School
2019 - 2022

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

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

  • Majors of interest:

    • Psychology, General
    • Medicine
  • Planning to go to medical school

    • Test scores:

    • 30
      ACT

    Career

    • Dream career field:

      Medicine

    • Dream career goals:

      Neurosurgeon with a MD/PhD researching precise drugs for traditionally neurosurgical disorders to reduce surgical interventions

    • President of the campus club and volunteer within the nonprofit supporting their goal in reducing poverty and helping the unhoused.

      Catholic Charities Nonprofit
      2024 – Present9 months

    • Founder/Volunteer of My Life, My Story program, a program where I gather patient life stories to be placed in the medical chart for improved physician-patient relation

      Veterans Affairs Hospital
      2024 – Present9 months

    • Founder/Coordinator of Memphis' only Brain Aneurysm/AVM support group

      Joe Niekro Foundation
      2024 – Present9 months

    Sports

    Weightlifting

    2019 – Present5 years

    Research

    • Genetics

      St. Jude Children's Research Hospital - Dr.Mefford, MD, PhD — Researching the molecular causes of severe pediatric epilepsies to identify avenues for new treatment options
      2024 – Present

    • Genetics

      Veracity Neuroscience Clinic - Dr. LeDoux MD, PhD — mice husbandry of mice with movement disorders, helped write a manuscript on blinking disorders through rabies as a neuronal tracer, data entry for a closing study
      2023 – 2024

    • Biomedical/Medical Engineering

      University of Memphis-Dr.Bumgardner, PhD — Developing chitosan, a cheaper biomaterial, for enhanced and low-cost wound treatment. --> Led to 1 local and 1 international presentation.
      2023 – Present

    • Genetics

      University of Washington School of Medicine - Dr.Ferreira, MD, PhD, MBA — 1/3 out-of-state students selected from 500+ students in the US. Developed a new treatment option through pharmaceuticals for cancerous, recurrent meningiomas. --> 1 local and 1 national presentation.
      2024 – Present

    • Psychology, General

      University of Memphis -Social Psychology, Dr.Zhang, PhD — We found that self-compassion (SC) played a role in how students act in the classroom. Those who suffered from low SC were less likely to ask for help and stay after class, which showed the importance of SC in education. Presented at a UofM conference.
      2023 – 2023

    Arts

    • Altruria Elementary School

      Architecture
      Little Free Library to increase access to books
      2022 – 2023

    • LeBonheur Children's Hospital

      Design
      I designed a t-shirt that raised over $4,000 for LeBonheur Children's Hospital.
      2020 – 2020

    Public services

    • Volunteering

      Methodist Le Bonheur Hospital - VolunTEEN Program — I transported over 300 patients for 120+ hrs throughout the hospital and ensured a smooth ride along the way. All of my patients turned to friends and it was a privilege to be a part of the caretaking team.
      2023 – 2023

    • Volunteering

      Shadowing — 115 hrs of shadowing physicians from the neurosurgeon who saved my mother's life to 11+ other specialties including radiology, emergency med, dermatology, plastic surgery, general surgery, neurology, oncology, etc.
      2023 – Present

    • Volunteering

      Le Bonheur Children's Hospital — Emergency Department Volunteer: I comfort children who have been admitted into the ER and offer respite care. By doing so, I am able to ensure that the parents and children are alleviated of any further stress.
      2023 – Present

    Future Interests

    Advocacy

    Volunteering

    Philanthropy

    Entrepreneurship