would never have expected my AP Research and Seminar teacher, Mr. Serge Danielson-Francois, to be the person who would shape my path toward STEM. While he did not work in a research lab or as a healthcare provider, he taught me how to think - this may seem like a small feat, but it managed to shape my future. In his class, I was pushed far beyond what I thought I could understand. Our assignments consisted of analyzing dense philosophical and psychological texts, such as Plato’s The Republic, and Piaget’s The Psychology of the Child. Initially, these complex works felt inaccessible and written for minds far more advanced than mine. However, his guidance taught me how to digest complex ideas, question assumptions, and engage deeply with difficult material. Over the course of the class, what once felt impossible became attainable. My growth in confidence allowed me to tackle an issue that I am deeply passionate about - the psychological implications of chemotherapy-induced alopecia and a child’s fight with self-agency throughout treatment. Inspired by my younger sister’s (now successful) fight with stage IV Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, this is what I chose to study throughout the creation of my AP Research essay. The process of designing a research study and implementing an effective solution to address such a significant problem felt overwhelming, emotionally heavy, and too complex for a high school student to tackle. I doubted whether I had the ability to honor the complexity of such an important topic. Mr. Danielson-Francois challenged that doubt. He encouraged me to approach my research the same way I had approached Plato and Piaget: methodically and with confidence that no problem is too big to approach. With his support, I conducted my research, and what began as an intimidating project became something deeply meaningful. My paper was ultimately published in the Mega Journal of Oncology, an achievement I once thought was unattainable. This experience transformed my academic confidence and direction, prompting me to realize that STEM is not solely reliant on technical skill but also on persistence and the willingness to confront complex human problems. Motivated by my sister’s experience and the skills instilled in me by Mr. Danielson-Francois, I founded Hospital Helper, a digital platform designed to guide pediatric cancer patients through their treatment journeys. The interface guides children through daily treatments in age-appropriate language, incorporates personalized characters to walk children through each step, and includes emotional check-ins to ensure holistic care. What began as a research question has grown into a mission. I am currently working to expand Hospital Helper into a nonprofit organization to increase accessibility for children undergoing treatment. Additionally, this experience led me to study Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience at the University of Michigan. Through my studies, I have developed a strong foundation in statistical analysis and research methodology, learning to apply quantitative techniques to evaluate clinical outcomes and identify disparities in patient care. Additionally, these courses have trained me to critically interpret scientific literature, assess the validity of findings, and draw meaningful conclusions from complex datasets. Building on this foundation, I will pursue a Master of Science in Epidemiology at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health this fall. None of this would have been attainable without the guidance of Mr. Danielson-Francois, a man who may not have been a scientist, but who gave me the skills to think critically and the courage to take on problems that mattered. Coupled with my sister’s battle, his influence highlighted that STEM is not reserved for those who have the answers, but for those willing to tackle difficult problems to find them.

One year, four biopsies, three PET scans, countless hospital visits, and a bone marrow biopsy, most people experience one of these procedures once in a lifetime. Not my sister, Leah. In a single year, she endured all of them before receiving her diagnosis: Stage IV Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. In June 2021, my family’s understanding of normalcy shifted irreversibly. Hospital rooms replaced routine, uncertainty replaced stability, and the future we once imagined became uncertain. Cancer did not just affect Leah; it reshaped my entire family. Our lives became structured around appointments, test results, and treatment cycles. While I watched the physical toll cancer took on her, I also witnessed the quieter, often overlooked burden: the emotional and psychological impact of navigating an illness that felt overwhelming and, at times, isolating. One of the most difficult aspects of Leah’s experience was not just the illness itself, but the loss of understanding and control. Medical conversations were often filled with complex terminology, leaving her struggling to fully grasp what was happening to her own body. I saw how this lack of accessible communication created fear and uncertainty, exacerbating the challenges of treatment. It was in these moments that I realized that healthcare is not only about treating disease, but also about ensuring that patients feel informed, supported, and empowered. This realization led me to further explore the psychological dimensions of cancer care. I conducted and published research on the psychological effects of chemotherapy-induced alopecia and its impact on a child’s sense of self-agency throughout treatment. Through this work, I examined how side effects of treatment can disrupt identity, confidence, and emotional well-being, particularly in pediatric patients. This experience taught me the importance of resilience, not as a single act of strength, but as a continuous process of adaptation. I learned how to navigate uncertainty, support my family through moments of fear, and find strength in situations where answers were not always available. It also taught me the value of empathy and of truly listening, understanding, and advocating for those who may not have the ability or confidence to advocate for themselves. More importantly, my sister’s journey revealed gaps in healthcare systems: in communication, accessibility, and patient autonomy. I began to understand that even the most advanced treatments can feel isolating if patients are not included in their own care. This realization has shaped how I approach both my academic and professional goals. As a graduating senior at the University of Michigan studying Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience, and an incoming Master of Public Health (MPH) student, I have committed myself to addressing these challenges. Through my research in AI-driven cancer diagnostics at Michigan Medicine, I explore ways to improve early detection and reduce reliance on invasive procedures. Additionally, I founded Hospital Helper, an initiative that guides young patients through their treatment journeys with age-appropriate explanations and mental health support. By translating complex medical information into accessible guidance, I aim to restore a sense of autonomy and understanding for patients like my sister. Cancer taught me that illness extends far beyond physiology; it affects identity and mental health. It showed me that healing is not only about treatment, but about restoring dignity, clarity, and a sense of control. Through this experience, I have developed a deeper understanding of what it means to truly care for others. My family’s journey with cancer has not only shaped who I am, but has given me a clear sense of purpose: to ensure that no patient feels lost, unheard, or powerless in their own care.

One year, four biopsies, three PET scans, countless hospital visits, and a bone marrow biopsy, most people experience one of these procedures once in a lifetime. Not my sister, Leah. In a single year, she endured all of them before receiving her diagnosis: Stage IV Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. While I watched medicine work tirelessly to treat her disease, I also witnessed a different struggle, one rooted not in biology, but in communication, accessibility, and loss of autonomy. One of the most critical social issues within healthcare is the disconnect between rapid medical innovation and patient-centered care. Despite advancements in diagnostics and treatment, many patients, especially children, are excluded from understanding their own conditions. Leah often sat through conversations filled with complex medical terminology, unable to fully grasp what was happening to her body. This lack of accessible communication created fear, isolation, and a profound loss of control during an already overwhelming experience. I began to explore these disparities through research and academic study. In high school, I conducted research for my AP Research project examining the psychological effects of chemotherapy-induced alopecia and its impact on a child’s fight for self-agency through treatment. The results of my study revealed that treatment side effects extend well beyond physiological symptoms. Often, the lack of a developmentally appropriate explanation of care causes issues with identity and emotional well-being. In response to these challenges, I founded Hospital Helper, an initiative dedicated to improving how young patients experience care. Hospital Helper is an interactive platform that guides children through their treatment journeys using age-appropriate explanations, visual storytelling, and integrated mental health check-ins. By translating complex medical information into accessible, digestible formats, the platform empowers patients to understand their care and reclaim a sense of autonomy. What began as a response to my sister’s experience has evolved into a broader effort to ensure that no child feels lost within their own treatment. Beyond developing the platform, I have worked within clinical settings to advocate for stronger communication between patients and providers. I have supported patients and families by helping them articulate questions, encouraging providers to explain procedures in more accessible ways, and reinforcing the importance of patient autonomy. These experiences have shown me that even small shifts in communication can significantly transform how patients experience care. My research further complements this mission. At Michigan Medicine, I contributed to AI-driven cancer diagnostics, exploring how computer-aided systems can improve early detection and reduce reliance on invasive procedures. This work not only advances clinical precision but also addresses broader issues of accessibility by helping bring earlier, more equitable care to patients. Together, my efforts reflect a commitment to addressing a systemic issue at the intersection of medicine and public health: the gap between innovation and patient experience. My goal is to ensure that advancements in cancer care are not only scientifically effective but also accessible, understandable, and empowering. As I pursue a career as a physician, I aim to integrate research, advocacy, and public health to transform healthcare delivery. I want to build systems where patients are not passive recipients, but informed participants. Through Hospital Helper, research, and advocacy, I am working to ensure that no patient feels unheard, confused, or powerless in their own care, as true progress in medicine must be measured not only by outcomes, but by the humanity with which care is delivered. As a graduating senior at the University of Michigan studying Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience, and an incoming Master of Public Health (MPH) student, I have committed myself to addressing these gaps through both research and direct service.

One year, four biopsies, three PET scans, countless hospital visits, and a bone marrow biopsy, most people experience one of these procedures once in a lifetime. Not my sister, Leah. In a single year, she endured all of them before receiving her diagnosis: Stage IV Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. In June 2021, my family’s understanding of normalcy shifted irreversibly. Hospital rooms replaced routine, uncertainty replaced stability, and I witnessed healthcare not just as a science, but as a deeply human experience. As a graduating senior at the University of Michigan studying Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience, and as an incoming Master of Public Health (MPH) student, I have shaped my career goals to bridge these gaps in care. At Michigan Medicine, I contributed to research in AI-driven cancer diagnostics, exploring how computer-aided systems can improve early detection and reduce reliance on invasive procedures. This work strengthened my commitment to advancing cancer research that is both innovative and accessible. Beyond research, I founded Hospital Helper, an interactive platform that guides young patients through their treatment journeys with age-appropriate explanations and integrated mental health check-ins. By translating complex medical information into accessible support, I aim to restore autonomy and empower children navigating illness, something my sister was often denied. My professional aspiration is to become a physician who integrates medicine, public health, and technological innovation to advance cancer care. I aim not only to improve diagnostic precision, but also to address the psychological and systemic barriers that patients face throughout treatment. Through this work, I hope to build a healthcare system that is not only more effective, but more humane.