
Hobbies and interests
Cooking
Baking
Painting and Studio Art
Crafting
Engineering
Exercise And Fitness
Health Sciences
Medicine
Nutrition and Health
Tutoring
Reading
Historical
I read books multiple times per week
Brianna Matthew
1x
Finalist
Brianna Matthew
1x
FinalistBio
I am a medical student at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine who grew up in the U.S. Virgin Islands in a low-income household where opportunities were often limited. My journey to medicine was shaped by mentors and community members who believed in my potential and encouraged me to pursue opportunities beyond what I initially thought was possible.
I firmly believe that it takes a village to raise a child, and I stand on the shoulders of those who poured into me along the way. Because of that, I feel a deep responsibility to give back. I actively mentor students from underrepresented backgrounds who are interested in medicine, helping them navigate academic challenges and envision careers in healthcare and research.
In medical school, I lead the Culinary Medicine Initiative for Hypertension, a program that empowers patients to make informed dietary choices while preserving the cultural traditions that shape how they eat.
My goal is to become a physician who combines clinical care, research, and community engagement to reduce health disparities and expand opportunities for others who come from backgrounds like mine.
Education
Case Western Reserve University
Doctoral degree program (PhD, MD, JD, etc.)Majors:
- Medicine
Florida Institute of Technology
Bachelor's degree programMajors:
- Biomedical/Medical Engineering
Miscellaneous
Desired degree level:
Doctoral degree program (PhD, MD, JD, etc.)
Graduate schools of interest:
Transfer schools of interest:
Majors of interest:
- Biomedical/Medical Engineering
Career
Dream career field:
Medicine
Dream career goals:
Research Fellow
National Institutes of Health2023 – Present3 years
Research
Medicine
Cleveland Clinic — Research Fellow2025 – PresentPublic Health
Columbia University Medical Center/ The Neurological Institute of New York — Research Scholar2018 – 2018Radiology
National Institutes of Health — Research Fellow2019 – 2023Biomedical/Medical Engineering
Weill Cornell Medicine/ Rockefeller University — Summer Research Scholar2019 – 2019Biomedical/Medical Engineering
Florida Institute of Technology — Research Assistant2017 – 2019
Arts
- Painting2017 – Present
Public services
Volunteering
American Heart Association — Volunteer2023 – PresentVolunteering
Raising Excitement for Science, Engineering, and Technology — Instructor2020 – 2023