I learned how to use a miter saw when I was eight. After my father passed away from brain cancer my mother was left with the decision of whether to keep the dilapidated cabin they had invested in. Our lives were broken in ways after his death, but that house was something we could fix. So, I learned how to use a miter saw and we fixed the house, board by board. A few years later, the decrepit cabin was transformed into a solid lake house. The profound loss of a parent and husband could easily derail a family. I am so grateful to have her as a mother, as she skillfully balanced being the disciplinarian and source of comfort, the role of both parents. She shaped my character, nurtured my passions, and taught me to overcome adversity. She worked hard to give us a happy childhood, but life was still turbulent. During my freshman year of high school, my grandparents grew very ill. My mother stepped up as their caregiver. The hardship of growing up in a single-parent household is being prematurely forced into adulthood. Without a second parent, I was the person helping with laundry, watching my sister, and the care of elderly grandparents. It was very stressful. To cope, I poured myself into my education. I worked very hard in school but lacked the confidence to advocate for myself. My mother recognized my talent in math and science and insisted I be pushed to advanced algebra despite my teachers' resistance. My mother believed in me before I believed in myself. She did not usually become involved with school matters but was determined this time. I am thankful she was because it began a cascade of events that landed me in a top 50 undergraduate institution with dreams of pursuing prestigious MD/Ph.D. programs. My success in higher-level math gave me the confidence to enroll in AP classes, one being Biology. These classes tested and strengthened my commitment to science. I also became very curious about my father’s disease. My mother is extremely intelligent and informed about science and medicine given her involvement with my father’s treatment plan, despite being in a completely different occupation. She explained his illness to me, which I spoke with my AP Biology teacher about. Noting my interest in providing more dignified treatments for cancer patients, my teacher introduced me to cancer immunotherapy. My mother indulged me in conversations about CAR T cells and researchers like Dr. Carl June and Dr. Marcela Maus. She fostered my excitement about research and encouraged me to continue learning. Two years later, I applied and was accepted to the University of Florida. As a freshman, I quickly got involved with infectious disease research at UF. My mother continued to provide support from afar. As classes became more challenging and my research hours increased, she assured me I could navigate it. She pushed me to look into more research opportunities. That summer I interned at the Wistar Institute, working with pDNA vaccines against HIV. My experience in both labs provided a strong foundation for the summer of 2023, where I am an AMGEN scholar working on ALK-specific TCR T cell infusions and vaccines to treat pediatric lung cancer at Harvard. I continue to be grateful for how much my mother sacrificed for me. I would not be where I am, who I am, without her support, love, and guidance. I am now studying the disease that forever altered our lives and working to provide dignified and affordable treatments for the families it affects.

Connection and compassion are the two most important aspects of being human. My goals and aspirations stem from these core values. I am working extremely hard to become a physician-scientist, where I can make an impact on families who have suffered similar hardships to those that my family faced. I help others because of the yearning for help I felt in my most vulnerable moments. In 2010, my father was a brilliant cancer researcher at the University of Pennsylvania. So, when he got lost driving to the dance studio that I had attended for over a year, my mother knew something was wrong. The doctors insisted he was depressed, and that his cognitive impairments were due to mental illness. She insisted on a deeper investigation. After one MRI, they scheduled an urgent surgery. He had two large tumors, one the size of a walnut, the other a golf ball, in his frontal lobes. Bilateral gliosarcoma winded its way through his brain. The disease he was trying to eradicate had been eating at him. The year that followed consisted of frequent radiation and chemotherapy appointments. They did very little to the tumor but dramatically affected his personality. Even though I was very young, I remember the frustration and anger that brewed inside him. I watched my kind, patient, and handsome father disappear. His treatment made him a different person. He gained weight, lost hair, and had surgical stitches from one ear to the other. Our support system was crucial during this vulnerable time. They would deliver us meals with fun plates and toys for my sister and me to enjoy. Our friends and family worked hard to preserve a happy childhood for my sister and me, and harder to help my mother survive that delicate time. Their help during that time continues to be impactful to me and pushes me to support others during vulnerable times. He died a year after his diagnosis. Our family was left broken, not only from the profound loss of a parent and husband but also from the toll his aggressive treatments took on us. The support of our community stayed with our family for a little while but dwindled as time marched on. My mother was left alone, grappling with the profound loss of her partner while raising two young daughters, eight and four. Milestones passed without him, each bittersweet. The three of us grieved, fought, forgave, and persevered through that year. This is when the power of kindness became evident to me. I watched as my mother navigated working a full-time job and rebuilding our lives. She sacrificed so much to give my sister and me a happy childhood and prepare us for a successful future. She was stretched thin and exhausted. Small acts of kindness gave her hope and energy, while ignorant remarks and rude comments would tear her down. While my upbringing was turbulent at times, it made me the compassionate, motivated, and thoughtful person I am. I want to become a physician-scientist to develop dignified and affordable treatments for cancer patients. I help where I can with my current skill set, volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, building houses for single mothers, and participating in undergraduate translational research. I felt, and still feel, the heartache of loss and hardship. My support system is what gets me through the heartache. As a stronger person, I can now support others. It is vital to help others because, in times of extreme vulnerability or change, it is impossible to survive without support.

Cancer is an evil disease. It is your own body attacking you, your cells turning against you. 12 years ago my father’s body turned against him. He was diagnosed and passed away from bilateral gliosarcoma, a rare form of brain cancer. He was an oncology researcher and died due to the disease he was trying to eradicate. My mother was left alone, grappling with the profound loss of her partner while raising two young daughters, eight and four. This type of pressure could easily derail a family. I am so grateful to have her as a mother. She shaped my character, nurtured my passions, and taught me to overcome adversity. She balanced the challenging demands of parenting; being both the disciplinarian and source of comfort for my sister and me. She worked hard to give us a happy childhood, despite the challenges that came with growing up in a single-parent household. Regarding education, my mother believed in me before I believed in myself. I was shy in middle school. My teachers used my timidness as an excuse to keep me in lower-level math classes, despite my near-perfect test scores. Advocating on my behalf, my mother enrolled me in advanced math. Her determination to have me pushed forward began a cascade of events, landing me in a top 50 undergraduate institution with dreams of pursuing prestigious MD/Ph.D. programs. My success in higher-level math gave me the confidence to enroll in AP level Biology, Chemistry, Calculus, and Physics in high school. These classes tested and strengthened my commitment to science. In high school, I naturally became more curious about who I was, and in turn who my father was. My mother is extremely intelligent and informed about science and medicine given her involvement with my father’s treatment plan, despite being in a completely different occupation. She explained his illness and introduced me to his research. My interest in cancer grew, and I brought his publications into school to read with my AP Biology teacher. Noting my interest in providing more dignified treatments for cancer patients, my teacher introduced me to cancer immunotherapy research. My mother indulged me in conversations about this and read about these treatments with me. She fostered my excitement about research and encouraged me to continue learning. Two years later, I applied and was accepted to the University of Florida. As a freshman, I quickly got involved with immunology research at UF Health’s Department of Infectious Diseases. My mother continued to provide support from afar, always answering my phone calls and expressing her excitement. As classes became more challenging and my research hours increased, she assured me I could navigate it. As my freshman year wrapped up, she pushed me to look into more research opportunities. That summer I interned at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wistar Institute. My work included engineering pDNA vaccines against HIV. My experience in both labs provided a strong foundation for the summer of 2023, where I am an AMGEN scholar working on ALK-specific TCR T cell infusions and vaccines to treat pediatric lung cancer at Harvard. I remain in awe of her resilience. While I was naive, in ways, to her struggle in 2011, I now understand how much she sacrificed for me. I would not be where I am, who I am, without her support, love, and guidance. I am now studying the disease that forever altered our lives and working to provide dignified and affordable treatments for the families it affects. Families like mine.

On Sunday, October 23, 2011, I was rushed from the comfort of my home into the chilly morning air. It was ten o’clock in the morning, and my mother ushered my four-year-old sister and I, eight at the time, out the door to my aunt’s house down the street. An hour later she appeared in my aunt's door frame with a pale face and shaky voice. My father passed away. It was not unexpected. He was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer a year earlier. In some ways, our family lost him months before that morning. His cancer treatment was aggressive and changed his personality. With each radiation treatment that was combined with chemotherapy and high doses of steroids, my dad’s patience dwindled. Even though I was very young, I remember the frustration and anger that brewed inside him. I watched my kind, patient, and handsome father disappear. His treatment made him a different person. He gained weight, lost hair, and had surgical stitches from one ear to the other. 2011 was a challenging and character-building year. As the years went by, I became more curious about the disease that widowed my overworked mother and forever changed my childhood. In high school, I immersed myself in my studies, specifically chemistry and biology, to distract from the hardships that came with growing up in a single-parent household and caring for my elderly grandparents. My teachers nurtured my passion for my education, and my AP Biology teacher opened my eyes to cancer immunology research. I was inspired by the groundbreaking discoveries that I read about, and my journey in medical research began. A dream began to take shape the more I read about novel therapies like CAR-T cells and BiTEs. I wanted to become a physician-scientist, treating cancer patients with these incredible inventions. So, I committed to the University of Florida, a highly ranked institution with many research and academic opportunities. I am majoring in biochemistry, which includes challenging classes that foster my interests and prepare me for a future MD or MD/PhD program. During my first year in Florida, I became a research assistant in the Department of Infectious Diseases and Global Medicine at UF Health’s Shands Hospital. This was my first experience in immunology research, which solidified my passion to pursue the immunology field. That summer, I returned to the greater Philadelphia region and interned in Dr. David Weiner’s lab at the Wistar Institute. This internship included assisting brilliant scientists create vaccines for HIV and various cancers. Upon my return to Florida, my classes became increasingly more challenging. I began new courses including organic chemistry, microbiology, and physics. I was challenged as I continued my research at UF Health, which occupied 20 hours of the week. An additional six hours were dedicated to Habitat for Humanity on weekends, where we were building a home for a local single mother. As I navigated this crowded schedule, I continued to prioritize my studies. I maintained a 3.9 GPA and gained knowledge about immunology, drug development, and medicine. I am extremely grateful for the support and knowledge that the University of Florida gave me, in addition to my resilient and encouraging mother, who believed in my ability to succeed in highly competitive programs. I was accepted into Harvard’s Amgen Scholars Program, where I will conduct cancer immunology clinical trials with a team of world-renowned scientists this summer. This scholarship would allow me to keep my focus on my dreams and lessen the hefty costs that comes with pursuing higher education.

On Sunday, October 23, 2011, I was rushed from the comfort of my home into the chilly morning air. It was ten o’clock in the morning, and my mother ushered my four-year-old sister and me, eight at the time, out the door to my aunt’s house down the street. An hour later she appeared in my aunt's door frame with a pale face and shaky voice. My father passed away. It was not unexpected. He was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer a year earlier. In some ways, our family lost him months before that morning. His cancer treatment was aggressive and changed his personality. With each radiation treatment that was combined with chemotherapy and high doses of steroids, my dad’s patience dwindled. Even though I was very young, I remember the frustration and anger that brewed inside him. I watched my kind, patient, and handsome father disappear. His treatment made him a different person. He gained weight, lost hair, and had surgical stitches from one ear to the other. Years before his diagnosis, my mother and father bought a dilapidated cabin in the Poconos mountains. While fixing this cabin was once my parents’ project, after his passing, it became the subject of our energy. 2011 left my family's hearts and plans for the future broken. So many things felt out of our control. The Poconos is a hopeful place for my family. We could make noticeable differences each weekend. With each renovation and restoration, we were rebuilding our lives. I left high school very motivated and with a unique skill set. My mother and teachers nurtured my passion for my education, and my AP Biology teacher opened my eyes to cancer immunotherapy research. This research included the invention of new, less aggressive treatments for life-threatening cancers. I was inspired by the groundbreaking discoveries that I read about, and became determined to be at the forefront of providing more dignified treatments for cancer patients without stripping them of their personalities. Additionally, we continued our home projects and I was handy with tools as I began my undergraduate education at the University of Florida. At the University of Florida, my background in carpentry and passion for medicine has allowed me to make a positive impact on the Gainesville community. During my first year in Florida, I became a research assistant in the Department of infectious diseases and global medicine at UF Health’s Shands Hospital. We are working toward developing an affordable treatment for the C. difficle epidemic that has plagued the healthcare system. I was challenged as I continued my research at UF Health, which occupied 20 hours of the week. Additionally, I committed 6 hours on weekends to Habitat for Humanity, where I gave back to the community, helping a single mother build her home. I worked extremely hard because this volunteer work helped me help others with similar struggles to those my family faced. I have also worked at the Wistar Institute in Dr. David Weiner’s lab. This internship included assisting brilliant scientists create vaccines for HIV. This affordable preventative and therapeutic treatment for the HIV epidemic would change the world, as Human Immunodeficiency Virus continues to kill hundreds of thousands of people worldwide. I aspire to earn an MD/Ph.D. and become a physician-scientist. My background motivates me to provide the most dignified treatment for patients. My education continues to fuel my passion and prepare me for these endeavors. My work in the labs has given me first-hand experience, solidifying my desire for this academic and career path.

On Sunday, October 23, 2011, I was rushed from the comfort of my home into the chilly morning air. It was ten o’clock in the morning, and my mother ushered my four-year-old sister and me, eight at the time, out the door to my aunt’s house down the street. An hour later she appeared in my aunt's door frame with a pale face and shaky voice. My father passed away. It was not unexpected. He was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer a year earlier. In some ways, our family lost him months before that morning. His cancer treatment was aggressive and changed his personality. With each radiation treatment that was combined with chemotherapy and high doses of steroids, my dad’s patience dwindled. Even though I was very young, I remember the frustration and anger that brewed inside him. I watched my kind, patient, and handsome father disappear. His treatment made him a different person. He gained weight, lost hair, and had surgical stitches from one ear to the other. Years before his diagnosis, my mother and father bought a dilapidated cabin in the Poconos mountains. While fixing this cabin was once my parents’ project, after his passing, it became the subject of our energy. 2011 left my family's hearts and plans for the future broken. So many things felt out of our control. The Poconos is a hopeful place for my family. We could make noticeable differences each weekend. With each renovation and restoration, we were rebuilding our lives. I left high school very motivated and with a unique skill set. My mother and teachers nurtured my passion for my education, and my AP Biology teacher opened my eyes to cancer immunotherapy research. This research included the invention of new, less aggressive treatments for life-threatening cancers. I was inspired by the groundbreaking discoveries that I read about, and became determined to be at the forefront of providing more dignified treatments for cancer patients without stripping them of their personalities. Additionally, we continued our home projects and I was handy with tools as I began my undergraduate education at the University of Florida. At the University of Florida, my background in carpentry and passion for medicine has allowed me to make a positive impact on the Gainesville community. During my first year in Florida, I became a research assistant in the Department of infectious diseases and global medicine at UF Health’s Shands Hospital. We are working toward developing an affordable treatment for the C. difficle epidemic that has plagued the healthcare system. I was challenged as I continued my research at UF Health, which occupied 20 hours of the week. Additionally, I committed 6 hours on weekends to Habitat for Humanity, where I gave back to the community, helping a single mother build her home. I worked extremely hard because this volunteer work helped me help others with similar struggles to those my family faced. I have also worked at the Wistar Institute in Dr. David Weiner’s lab. This internship included assisting brilliant scientists create vaccines for HIV. This affordable preventative and therapeutic treatment for the HIV epidemic would change the world, as Human Immunodeficiency Virus continues to kill hundreds of thousands of people worldwide. I aspire to earn an MD/Ph.D. and become a physician-scientist. My background motivates me to provide the most dignified treatment for patients. My education continues to fuel my passion and prepare me for these endeavors. My work in the labs has given me first-hand experience, solidifying my desire for this academic and career path.

On Sunday, October 23, 2011, I was rushed from the comfort of my home into the chilly morning air. It was ten o’clock in the morning, and my mother ushered my four-year-old sister and me, eight at the time, out the door to my aunt’s house down the street. An hour later she appeared in my aunt's door frame with a pale face and shaky voice. My father passed away. It was not unexpected. He was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer a year earlier. In some ways, our family lost him months before that morning. His cancer treatment was aggressive and changed his personality. With each radiation treatment that was combined with chemotherapy and high doses of steroids, my dad’s patience dwindled. Even though I was very young, I remember the frustration and anger that brewed inside him. I watched my kind, patient, and handsome father disappear. His treatment made him a different person. He gained weight, lost hair, and had surgical stitches from one ear to the other. Years before his diagnosis, my mother and father bought a dilapidated cabin in the Poconos mountains. While fixing this cabin was once my parents’ project, after his passing, it became the subject of our energy. 2011 left my family's hearts and plans for the future broken. So many things felt out of our control. The Poconos is a hopeful place for my family. We could make noticeable differences each weekend. With each renovation and restoration, we were rebuilding our lives. I left high school very motivated and with a unique skill set. My mother and teachers nurtured my passion for my education, and my AP Biology teacher opened my eyes to cancer immunology research. This research included the invention of new, less aggressive treatments for life-threatening cancers. I was inspired by the groundbreaking discoveries that I read about, and became determined to be at the forefront of providing more dignified treatments for cancer patients without stripping them of their personalities. Additionally, we continued our home projects and I was handy with tools as I began my undergraduate education at the University of Florida. At the University of Florida, my background in carpentry and passion for medicine has allowed me to address the social issue of providing a better quality of life for people through affordable housing and dignified healthcare. During my first year in Florida, I became a research assistant in the Department of infectious diseases and global medicine at UF Health’s Shands Hospital. We are working toward developing an affordable treatment for the C. difficle epidemic that has plagued the healthcare system. I was challenged as I continued my research at UF Health, which occupied 20 hours of the week. Additionally, I committed 6 hours on weekends to Habitat for Humanity, where I gave back to the community, helping a single mother build her home. I worked extremely hard because this volunteer work helped me help others with similar struggles to those my family faced. I have also worked at the Wistar Institute in Dr. David Weiner’s lab. This internship included assisting brilliant scientists create vaccines for HIV. This affordable preventative and therapeutic treatment for the HIV epidemic would change the world, as Human Immunodeficiency Virus continues to kill hundreds of thousands of people worldwide. I aspire to earn an MD/Ph.D. and become a physician-scientist. My background motivates me to provide the most dignified treatment for patients. My education continues to fuel my passion and prepare me for these endeavors. My work in the labs has given me first-hand experience, solidifying my desire for this academic and career path.

On Sunday, October 23, 2011, I was rushed from the comfort of my home into the chilly morning air. It was ten o’clock in the morning, and my mother ushered my four year old sister and I, eight at the time, out the door to my aunt’s house down the street. An hour later she appeared in my aunt's door frame with a pale face and shaky voice. My father passed away. It was not unexpected. He was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer a year earlier. In some ways, our family lost him months before that morning. His cancer treatment was aggressive and changed his personality. With each radiation treatment that was combined with chemotherapy and high doses of steroids, my dad’s patience dwindled. Even though I was very young, I remember the frustration and anger that brewed inside him. I watched my kind, patient, and handsome father disappear. His treatment made him a different person. He gained weight, lost hair, and had surgical stitches from one ear to the other. 2011 was a challenging and character building year. As the years went by, I became more curious about the disease that widowed my overworked mother and forever changed my childhood. In high school, I immersed myself in my studies, specifically chemistry and biology, to distract from the hardships that came with growing up in a single parent household and caring for my elderly grandparents. My teachers nurtured my passion for my education, and my AP Biology teacher opened my eyes to cancer immunology research. I was inspired by the groundbreaking discoveries that I read about, and my journey in medical research began. A dream began to take shape the more I read about novel therapies like CAR-T cells and BiTEs. I wanted to become a physician-scientist, treating cancer patients with these incredible inventions. So, I committed to the University of Florida, a highly-ranked institution with many research and academic opportunities. I am majoring in biochemistry, which includes challenging classes that foster my interests and prepare me for a future MD or MD/Ph.D. program. During my first year in Florida, I became a research assistant in the Department of infectious diseases and global medicine at UF Health’s Shands Hospital. This was my first experience in immunology research, which solidified my passion to pursue the immunology field. That summer, I returned to the greater Philadelphia region and interned in Dr. David Weiner’s lab at the Wistar Institute. This internship included assisting brilliant scientists create vaccines for HIV and various cancers. Upon my return to Florida, my classes became increasingly more challenging. I began new courses including organic chemistry, microbiology, and physics. I was challenged as I continued my research at UF Health, which occupied 20 hours of the week. An additional six hours were dedicated to Habitat for Humanity on weekends, where we were building a home for a local single mother. As I navigated this crowded schedule, I continued to prioritize my studies. I maintained a 3.9 GPA and gained knowledge about immunology, drug development, and medicine. I am extremely grateful for the support and knowledge that the University of Florida gave me, in addition to my resilient and encouraging mother, who believed in my ability to succeed in highly competitive programs. I was accepted into Harvard’s Amgen Scholars Program, where I will conduct cancer immunology clinical trials with a team of world-renowned scientists this summer. This scholarship would allow me to keep my focus on my dreams and lessen the hefty costs that comes with pursuing higher education.

On Sunday, October 23, 2011, I was rushed from the comfort of my home into the chilly morning air. It was early in the morning, and my mother ushered my four-year-old sister and I, eight at the time, out the door to my aunt’s house down the street. An hour later she appeared in my aunt's door frame with a pale face and shaky voice. My father passed away. It was not unexpected. He was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer a year earlier. In some ways, our family lost him months before that morning. His cancer treatment was aggressive and changed his personality. With each radiation treatment that was combined with chemotherapy and high doses of steroids, my dad’s patience dwindled. Even though I was very young, I remember the frustration and anger that brewed inside him. I watched my kind, patient, and handsome father disappear. His treatment made him a different person. 2011 was hard, but the years that followed were not any easier. My community rallied for my family during my father’s illness but seemed to disappear after his death. As his funeral came and went, the shock of his death faded away and the grief started to sink in. Our lives would never be the same without him and that was a frightening realization. Our family fought, we were angry that he was gone. We felt isolated in our grief. After that storm came the gentle rain. Our tears flowed, we held each other, and the three of us decided that the most heart-wrenching experience we had lived through would not dictate our lives. Resiliently, we carried on. In high school, I immersed myself in my studies, specifically chemistry and biology, to distract from the hardships that came with growing up in a single-parent household. Academics, while time-consuming, was not just another responsibility to juggle. It was my escape. My AP Biology teacher opened my eyes to cancer immunology research. This research included the invention of more dignified treatments for life-threatening cancers. This is where my journey in medical research began. The next year, I committed to the University of Florida, where I am majoring in biochemistry. My freshman year, I became a research assistant in the department of infectious diseases at UF Health’s Shands Hospital. Last summer, I continued research by interning in Dr. David Weiner’s lab at the Wistar Institute, which is a part of the University of Pennsylvania’s research complex. This internship included assisting brilliant scientists create vaccines for HIV and various cancers. Upon my return to Florida, my classes became increasingly more challenging. I began new courses including organic chemistry, microbiology, and physics. I was challenged as I continued my research at UF Health, which occupied 20 hours of the week. Additionally, I committed six hours on weekends to Habitat for Humanity, where I gave back to the community, helping a single mother build her home. As I navigated this crowded schedule, I continued to prioritize my studies. I finished my classes with A’s, maintained a 3.9 GPA, and gained knowledge pertaining to immunology, drug development, and medicine. I am extremely grateful for the support and knowledge that the University of Florida gave me, in addition to my resilient and encouraging mother, who believed in my ability to succeed in highly competitive programs. I have persevered through my grief and accomplished these educational milestones because of my ability to find hope in academics and research. This scholarship would allow me to keep my focus on my dreams and lessen the hefty costs that comes with pursuing higher education.