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Brianca Higuera

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Finalist

General information

Location
Chula Vista, CA
Gender
Female
US Citizenship
US Citizen
Ethnicity
Hispanic/Latino
Religion
Christian

Hobbies & Interests

  • Biology
  • Foreign Languages
  • Volunteering
  • Community Service And Volunteering
  • Psychology
  • Medicine
  • Advocacy And Activism

Reading

  • Academic
  • Leadership
  • Psychology
  • Business
  • Christianity
  • Self-Help
  • Literature

I read books daily.

Bio

As a first-generation Mexican-American living in the mixing-pot known as San Diego, my goal is to work in healthcare as a Neurosurgeon who speaks multiple languages (Spanish, Mandarin through San Diego State University, Italian, English - & hopefully Tagalog & Japanese soon) in order to provide minorities with the most reliable care. Right now, I am a Neuroscience major at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) both on the pre-med and research track as a part of the PEERS program. From research, to language learning, and tutoring I am interested in helping others by any means possible because I hear heart-wrenching stories of why many do not trust the American health-care system from the visitors at the hospital I volunteer at. I am currently working on bridging that gap between patient and worker through my studies, research, and volunteering while continuing my hobbies of reading foreign literature, painting, and pursuing my faith through independent Bible study and through my local church. To the person currently reading my profile, I hope you have an amazing day and thank you for considering me for a scholarship so I can continue to work towards my dream and hopefully one day become an asset to you and your family!

Education

University of California-Los Angeles

Bachelor's degree program

2024 – 2025

Majors:
  • Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences
  • Neurobiology and Neurosciences
Minors:
  • Behavioral Sciences
GPA3.1 GPA

Southwestern College

High School

2023 – 2023

San Diego State University

High School

2022 – 2023

Olympian High

High School

2020 – 2024

GPA4.0 GPA

Miscellaneous

Desired degree level:
Doctoral degree program (PhD, MD, JD, etc.)
Majors of interest:
Research and Experimental Psychology, Neurobiology and Neurosciences
Medical school interest:
Yes
Test scores:
  • SAT1360

Career

  • Receptionist

    Computer Software · De Neve Front Desk

    Jan 2025 – Present

  • Cashier

    Consumer Services · Prime Pizza

    Jan 2024 – Present

  • Student Cafeteria Worker

    Food & Beverages · Sweetwater Union High School District

    Jan 2023 – Jan 2024

Miscellaneous

Dream career field:
Hospital & Health Care
Dream career goals:
Neurosurgeon
Has nursing license:
No

Future Interests

  • Advocacy
  • Volunteering
  • Philanthropy
  • Entrepreneurship
Ashby & Graff Educational Support Award
The book “Real Insights” by John Graff is applicable to the healthcare field due to the emphasis on recognizing disparities as systemic products, challenging assumptions, and acting on insights. When reading Graff’s book, it becomes clear how a healthcare professional can be very successful by adapting the practices of real estate agents. Being the daughter of a real estate agent myself, I found myself reflecting on what my dad did growing up when I didn’t give it much thought. Graff identifies cognitive biases as mental blocks preventing you from delivering the most satisfying service. He emphasizes an extended metaphor between light and dark, meaning that we have to view beneath the surface to have lightbulb moments. In healthcare a professional must disregard the individual’s race, economic status, experience, and life choices in order to care for them in a compassionate way and ensure full dedication towards improving their quality of life. Oftentimes, patients come in with biases due to systemic abuses which is why various immigrants or minorities are afraid of obtaining vaccines. The chapter also alludes to the hero’s journey arc, encouraging us to face the unknown and applying gained insights to the project at hand. As a doctor one has to constantly undergo learnings, research, and conferences to apply new practices to our patients. This creates a mirror looking inwards and outwards to the natural world. As a language enthusiast, it is my mission to decrease racial disparities and preconceptions towards migrants in healthcare. I hope to earn the trust of my patients as I have while volunteering as an Ambassador for Sharp Hospital because I know my family has been distrustful of the system, because as Mexican-Americans, this country is oftentimes not considered to be for us. As a first-gen pre-med student, I will utilize John Graff’s framework to bridge gaps. Just like how real estate agents see a home’s potential despite its flaws, healthcare workers must see beyond stereotypes associated with their patients. I hope to apply these rules to my future profession, ensuring that no patient or visitor has to worry about the possibility of abuse or scam.
Women in STEM and Community Service Scholarship
I nervously glanced around the classroom, hearing speech in a unique rhythmic cadence comparable to chewing sticks. I stared at my mother feigning to comprehend the teacher, understanding it was my duty to learn English if I were to survive – and I did, under a few months. Although I felt strange and alone the large majority of the time, I learned English to adapt – but I never forgot the initial fear. Thus, I began tutoring Ukrainian students in English, Spanish, Mandarin, and Italian through ENGin when the war began to help them quell their fears of “fitting in” wherever it was they wanted to study abroad. I’ve assisted future teachers, diplomats, and researchers, creating life-long friendships arising through linguistic connections that will help them integrate themselves in their desired spaces much faster than I had. I also expanded the effect I could bring with language acquisition through Sharp Hospital’s junior volunteer program, allowing me to authentically support minority families without the use of a mechanized translator while fostering support for cancer patients by organizing annual letter-writing drives through UNICEF Club. However, I aspire to continue to expand my ability to support all communities in healthcare by learning from participating in research articles under Medicine4Youth regarding neuro-degenerative diseases and podcasts on emotional regulation under The Stemistry Project created by UC Berkeley students to educate others on knowledge regarding the medical field and inspire them to pursue their dreams even as young people. By learning more about the medical field and seeing the drives of the peers I inform, I only become more motivated to continue learning to better connect with my future patients and impact their lives in the positive way my work impacts me. Helping others to reach their goals, whether linguistic or medical, prompts me to understand the purpose of professionals in the lives of individuals seeking help because to offer a service, one has to offer it in the best form they can provide it - and I intend to provide said services to my patients in any language we may have in common. Because of this, as I work towards my professional goals while embracing my past struggles of fitting in and communicating with others, I understand the benefit of being bilingual is not just about having a fun fact about yourself or a unique, creative hobby - it is about being able to connect with others both culturally and amicably in a country where that at times can be difficult for the average immigrant family and hopefully inspire tolerance for each other. Growing from a scared, monolingual elementary school alumni into a compassionate, multilingual high school student has encouraged me to learn to be resilient and adapt to my environment so I can help others around me do the same while embracing our individualities and thus supporting inclusivity. I hope to use the character I’ve developed and lessons I’ve learned to bring any community I join closer together as I move forward on to the next stage of my academic journey where I undertake a pre-med track as a neuroscience student at the University of California, Los Angeles, learning about how the brain contributes to our function as human beings far more than just linguistically.
Brianca Higuera Student Profile | Bold.org