I love math because it helps me make sense of complex systems and reveal patterns hidden beneath the surface. It is like learning the language that the universe uses to communicate, and once you begin to understand it, you see how math applies to almost everything. For me, math is not just numbers and formulas, it’s logic, creativity, and problem-solving at its most elegant. Right now, I am working on a research project involving the SIR model in epidemiology, which studies the spread of infectious diseases by breaking populations into three compartments: susceptible (S), infected (I), and recovered (R). Using differential equations and series approximations, I’m exploring how we can predict the behavior of an outbreak under different conditions. This work has helped me see math not only as an abstract discipline, but as a practical tool with real-world impact. It allows us to model human behavior, health outcomes, and policy decisions with clarity and precision. What I love most about math is how it empowers us to ask better questions and pursue deeper truths. In epidemiology, a simple equation can help us understand how fast a disease might spread, how long it might last, or how interventions like vaccines or quarantines could change its course. That kind of insight, driven purely by mathematical thinking, is powerful. Ultimately, math gives me the structure to think critically and the flexibility to be innovative. Whether I’m studying the physics of motion, modeling disease dynamics, or preparing for a career in data science, math will always be the foundation that allows me to make meaningful contributions to the world around me.

One of the most memorable times I delighted others with my tinkering skills was during my junior year, when I built a custom scheduling and progress-tracking tool for my Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gym. What started as a personal project quickly turned into something that benefited my entire training community, and reminded me just how powerful a little problem-solving and creativity can be. Our gym runs a structured curriculum, but like many small gyms, we relied on paper charts, handwritten notes, and word-of-mouth updates. For newer students, especially, this made it hard to track their own development or understand what they needed to improve. As someone who loves order and data, and as a physics major with a growing interest in data science, I saw an opportunity to make things more efficient, transparent, and motivating. I started by interviewing teammates and coaches to understand what they wanted to track: attendance, belt stripes, technique mastery, sparring notes. Then I sketched out a lightweight digital system using Google Sheets, some scripting, and a clean dashboard UI that anyone could update with a smartphone. I coded conditional formatting to visualize trends (like consistency over time), added drop-downs for techniques drilled, and implemented automation so the coaches could input a stripe or promotion and it would instantly update each student’s page. When I rolled it out during a team training session, the response was incredible. People who usually struggled to stay consistent were suddenly more motivated, they could see their progress, and it made them want to push harder. One teammate who’d been feeling stagnant told me that being able to look back on her drills and see how far she’d come helped her fall back in love with training. Our coaches appreciated having a centralized system to track student development without extra paperwork. It wasn’t a flashy AI or a complex app, but it made people’s lives easier, and that was the most rewarding part. This project reminded me why I love to tinker: not just to solve problems, but to connect people to their own potential. It’s the same mindset I bring to physics, breaking down complex systems to understand how they work, and to my future career in data science, where I hope to design solutions that empower communities. Tinkering is my way of bridging the technical with the human, and every time I use it to make someone’s life a little simpler, clearer, or more inspiring, it feels like a win.

Serving my community is not just something I feel obligated to do, it is something that grounds me, fuels me, and reminds me of the kind of person I strive to be. Through both my church and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), I have found purpose in supporting others, building people up, and contributing to something greater than myself. At church, I learned the value of service early on. Whether it was volunteering at food drives, helping run youth programs, or simply being present for someone who needed to talk, I saw how powerful it is to give your time and energy with no expectation of anything in return. Church gave me a foundation of compassion and faith, and it taught me that service isn’t always loud or visible, it is often the quiet, consistent presence you bring to someone else’s struggle. It showed me that community is built not just by being around people, but by being there for people. In a very different but equally powerful way, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has also become a place where I give back. When I first started training, I often felt like I didn’t belong. The sport is male-dominated, and as a woman, I had to work twice as hard to be taken seriously. Over time, though, I found strength in that challenge, and I made a promise to myself that when I got to a place where I had more experience, I would help other women find their confidence too. Now, I make it a point to support newer students, especially young women who are stepping onto the mats for the first time. I remember what it felt like to be overlooked or underestimated, and I never want someone else to feel like they do not have a place in this sport. Whether it’s offering encouragement, helping them refine techniques, or simply making sure they feel seen, I have found fulfillment in creating a more inclusive and empowering training environment. In both church and BJJ, I have learned that service is about being intentional with your presence. It is about showing up consistently, meeting people where they are, and helping them rise. These experiences have shaped how I see leadership, not as something defined by status or title, but by impact and responsibility. Serving my community reminds me that success means nothing if I am not bringing others along with me. Whether in faith or on the mats, I want to keep building spaces where people feel supported, strong, and valued. That’s the kind of legacy I want to leave, not just what I achieve, but how I help others achieve too.

Good afternoon, my name is Elise Cantu. I am a physics major with an analytical mind and a fighter’s spirit. I’ve always been fascinated by the world around us, from the mechanics of motion to the dynamics of human behavior. But beyond equations and experiments, I’m someone who is driven by resilience. I care deeply about empowerment, especially for women in spaces where they have historically been excluded. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has taught me to stay grounded, think strategically, and never give up. These values are ones I make a part of my everyday life, from academics to athletics. My mission is to become both a world-renowned BJJ athlete and a data scientist who uses knowledge to drive progress and equity. I feel deeply connected to the challenges women face in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and MMA. These sports are transformative, they build confidence, mental strength, and self-reliance, yet they are still overwhelmingly male-dominated. I’ve experienced the lack of representation, the subtle biases, and the constant need to prove myself in environments where I am one of the few women. This issue matters to me because it’s about more than just sports, it’s about who gets to feel powerful, respected, and safe in their body. If I had the power to make a change, I would launch a nationwide initiative to support women in combat sports, starting with free self-defense programs for girls, scholarships for female athletes, and a data-driven platform that tracks gender disparities across gyms, tournaments, and promotions. I’d also partner with educational institutions and tech companies to create workshops that merge physical training with STEM skills, encouraging young women to see themselves as both strong and smart. Representation, mentorship, and measurable change would be the foundation of this movement. I chose physics because it challenges me to think critically, solve complex problems, and understand the invisible forces that shape our world, skills that naturally translate to data science. I want to use data to tackle real-world issues, from gender inequality in sports to global sustainability efforts. Whether analyzing tournament demographics or modeling health outcomes, I see data science as a tool for truth and transformation. I hope to bridge my scientific training with my passion for advocacy and athletics. One of my biggest goals for the next five years is to compete internationally and build a name for myself as a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu athlete, while also launching my career as a data scientist. I plan to stay disciplined in both training and academics, attend major competitions, seek sponsorships, and continue building my skills in coding, machine learning, and data visualization. I want to be living proof that you don’t have to choose between strength and intelligence, you can lead in both worlds. Education has shown me how interconnected everything is: how physics principles apply on the mat, how data can expose injustice, and how learning can be a form of empowerment. It’s helped me embrace my identity as both an athlete and an intellectual. Most importantly, it’s helped me define a purpose that blends curiosity, compassion, and courage. As a woman in STEM and in combat sports, I’ve had to navigate spaces that weren’t built with me in mind. But that’s also made me more determined to claim space, not just for myself, but for those who come after me. My identity fuels my grit and determination. It’s shaped the way I train, study, speak out, and lead. Every time I step onto a mat or into a classroom, I bring with me the belief that women belong in every room, every ring, and every conversation. Leadership, to me, is about modeling what’s possible and bringing others along with you. I’ve mentored new students in physics labs and helped newer athletes in the gym find their confidence. I lead by listening, by being consistent, and by showing up even when it’s hard. Leadership isn’t just about titles, it’s about impact, and I aim to leave every space better than I found it. During this past semester, I was balancing a full course load in physics with intense tournament prep, and I suffered a minor injury that forced me to rethink my training. Instead of backing off entirely, I adapted, studying match footage, drilling techniques mentally, and staying sharp with limited mobility. I learned that resilience isn’t about avoiding setbacks, it’s about finding new ways to grow through them. This scholarship would allow me to invest more fully in both my academic and athletic goals without being weighed down by financial stress. It would support my travel to competitions, help fund my continued education in data science, and allow me to focus on building a platform that uplifts others. With your support, I can train, learn, and lead at the highest levels, and create a future where no girl has to choose between being strong and being smart.