My name is Gustavo Prieto, and I am currently an undergraduate student at California State University, Fullerton. I am enrolled in the bachelor of Science program for chemistry with a minor in physics and a 3.34 GPA. I am also involved in the university honors program. This program is composed of high-performing, dedicated students and seeks to elevate their experience through a wider range of interdisciplinary courses. A part of the B.S. program is the capstone requirement; students are encouraged to be involved with on-campus research teams and produce written reports and presentations relevant to their findings. Through this requirement, I met Dr. Andrew Petit and began working in his theoretical chemistry lab. Our work focuses on developing transition-metal complexes that incorporate a photobase component. This summer, I am participating in the UF/France REU Program, an international research experience for undergraduate scientists. For 11 weeks, I will be working on a clean energy project with faculty from Sorbonne University while living in Paris, France. Experiences like this have given me a sense of belonging and convinced me that I want to continue with chemistry research after completing my degree. Because of this, I want to take advantage of internships and other research experiences to become a more competent researcher, better equipped to apply for programs upon graduation. This generous scholarship would give me the opportunity to not only finish my bachelor’s degree but also provide me with funding for graduate school and other academic opportunities. Heavy metal music has always been a part of my life. From soundtracks in my favorite video games and movies to the first songs I bought off iTunes on my iPod touch, I have always surrounded myself with art from this genre. In my sophomore year of high school, I bought my first guitar and started learning how to play songs by Metallica, Black Sabbath, System of a Down, and Tool. I felt connected to these artists by learning the intricacies of each riff, chord progression, and melody. When I would listen to a song that I had already learned, I was able to notice so many details that I was oblivious to before. It felt like I was listening to a brand new song. In the summer of 2023, I started a band with my friends from high school. Inspired by bands like Slipknot, Pantera, and Carcass, we started writing our own music, and by the fall of that same year, we were playing at small venues and backyard parties with a set of entirely original songs. My favorite memory with this group was when we played a show at Chain Reaction in Anaheim. Some of my favorite artists growing up, like Frank Iero, Avenged Sevenfold, and Knocked Loose, had all played at that same venue in the past. The unique privilege of playing a venue shared by artists who were pivotal in my music taste was unforgettable and deepened my appreciation for the scene I was part of. In the spring of 2025, my friends and I went to see the band White Chapel at The Observatory in Santa Ana for what would be the most brutal show I have ever been to. By the end of the night, my elbows were bruised, my ears were ringing, and my throat ached from having someone's elbow sent into it. I loved every second of that night and continue to hold it as a standard of what I want heavy metal shows to look like. When I tell this story to my friends who are not in the scene, they typically look at me as if I am crazy. I have to explain how these kinds of shows are a part of the culture that has been with heavy metal since its conception. I am fortunate enough to have found this art at a time when this culture is still alive, and I am able to participate and interact with a thriving version of it.