I dashed up the steps of the front porch, my heart racing. At six years old, I had spent a month touring Australia with my grandparents, and there was one thing I couldn’t wait to tell my mother: “Guess what, Mommy? Kangaroos can pause their pregnancies if the environment is bad! Imagine if we could do that!” I stepped inside and spent the next hour explaining the conditions under which kangaroos could pause their gestations. Some may find it peculiar that a six-year-old would most remember an unusual detail about kangaroo pregnancy after a month-long trip to another continent. Some may find it stranger still that a thirteen-year-old would be thrilled to receive a preserved pregnant cat (passed naturally) for her birthday that she would learn how to dissect. To me, the science of reproductive biology has always been the most beautiful testament to life. My early curiosities set the foundation for a passion that shaped my experiences and ambitions as I grew. I spent months raising groups of planarians–small brown flatworms–caring for them, feeding them, and cleaning their water each day, because of their amazing ability to reproduce asexually. Each day, I watched in fascination as a worm that had been split in half slowly grew into two separate worms. I spent hours designing and performing various experiments, often staying up late to sketch out ideas under the dim kitchen lamp. Would planarians regenerate more quickly in warmer temperatures? (Yes!) Could worms missing their lower half still eat? (Only after some regrowth.) Nothing excited me more than discovering the answers to these questions. I felt like I was uncovering a new world through these small brown flatworms and their otherworldly ways of reproducing. Eager to deepen my understanding of biology, I also sought opportunities beyond my own experiments. Last summer, I joined the clinical lab of world-renowned placental researcher Dr. Harvey Kliman at Yale, looking for deeper insight into both the perils and the beauty of human reproduction. With Dr. Kiman's guidance, I spent seven hours each day volunteering in the lab, the same excited smile as when I was six spread across my face as I attempted to learn everything there was to know. Studying slides containing placental samples underneath the microscope revealed to me the miniscule cellular errors that could cause a pregnancy to be lost. Reading stories of patients who were able to overcome these errors and deliver healthy children revealed the astounding resilience of life. Such a fragile process, influenced by so many coordinating factors, is miraculous. My seemingly unusual passion for reproductive biology stems from a simple passion for learning about the world. I find that learning something new–from the physics concept of torque to methods of analyzing rhetoric in writing–is the most captivating feeling, because it revolutionizes the image I previously held of the world, and reveals a new way of viewing it. I love being able to see what I learn everywhere I look–realizing that everything I thought I knew can be viewed differently. By attempting to understand the infinitely multifaceted nature of everything I encounter, I find ways to view the world as an exciting novelty, over and over again. Eleven years after my trip to Australia, the most important goal in my life remains the same: to always search for a new way to understand the universe. I am guided by my commitment to lifelong learning, knowing that each answer opens the door to deeper questions. I cannot wait to learn everything, including biology and far beyond, and to uncover each aspect of the beautiful and complex interactions of life.

To me, the science of reproductive biology has always been the most beautiful testament to life. I have spent months raising groups of planarians, small brown flatworms–caring for them, feeding them, and cleaning their water each day–to study their amazing ability to reproduce asexually. Each day, I watched in fascination as a worm split in half slowly grew into two separate worms. I spent hours designing and performing various experiments. Would they regenerate more quickly in the warm or the cold? At what point in regeneration did the worm’s eyespots become sensitive to light? Could worms missing their lower half still eat? Nothing excited me more than discovering the answers to these questions. I felt like I was uncovering a new world through these small brown flatworms and their otherworldly ways of reproducing. Throughout my experiments and investigations, I have always searched for a way any discoveries applied to humans. Over the summer, I joined Dr. Harvey Kliman’s clinical lab at Yale as a volunteer, looking for deeper insight into both the perils and the beauty of human reproduction. Under the guidance of Dr. Kiman, a world-renowned expert in placental research, I spent seven hours each day in the lab, an excited smile spread across my face as I attempted to learn everything there was to know. Studying slides containing placental samples underneath the microscope revealed to me the miniscule errors that could cause a pregnancy to be lost. Reading stories of patients who were able to overcome the errors and deliver healthy children revealed the astounding resilience of life. Such a fragile process, influenced by so many coordinating factors, is miraculous. My seemingly unusual passion for reproductive biology stems from a simple passion for learning about the world. Understanding the impact of Dr. Kliman's work on his patients has made me certain that I, too, want to provide answers for those whose losses are seemingly unexplained. The process of asking questions, crafting experiments, and discovering new ways of looking at biology and at the world is immensely rewarding. I hope to use my passion and interest in biology to better understand the human body, and to provide answers to questions about biology that have gone unanswered for too long.

To me, the science of reproductive biology has always been the most beautiful testament to life. I have spent months raising groups of planarians, small brown flatworms–caring for them, feeding them, and cleaning their water each day–to study their amazing ability to reproduce asexually. Each day, I watched in fascination as a worm split in half slowly grew into two separate worms. I spent hours designing and performing various experiments. Would they regenerate more quickly in the warm or the cold? At what point in regeneration did the worm’s eyespots become sensitive to light? Could worms missing their lower half still eat? Nothing excited me more than discovering the answers to these questions. I felt like I was uncovering a new world through these small brown flatworms and their otherworldly ways of reproducing. Throughout my experiments and investigations, I have always searched for a way any discoveries applied to humans. Over the summer, I joined Dr. Harvey Kliman’s clinical lab at Yale as a volunteer, looking for deeper insight into both the perils and the beauty of human reproduction. Under the guidance of Dr. Kiman, a world-renowned expert in placental research, I spent seven hours each day in the lab, an excited smile spread across my face as I attempted to learn everything there was to know. Studying slides containing placental samples underneath the microscope revealed to me the miniscule errors that could cause a pregnancy to be lost. Reading stories of patients who were able to overcome the errors and deliver healthy children revealed the astounding resilience of life. Such a fragile process, influenced by so many coordinating factors, is miraculous. My seemingly unusual passion for reproductive biology stems from a simple passion for learning about the world. Understanding the impact of Dr. Kliman's work on his patients has made me certain that I, too, want to provide answers for those whose losses are seemingly unexplained. The process of asking questions, crafting experiments, and discovering new ways of looking at biology and at the world is immensely rewarding. I cannot wait to uncover all that there is to know about biology. By better understanding what may cause a loss, I will also be able to help patients overcome their struggles and break the cycle of pregnancy loss. I hope to use my passion and interest in biology to better understand the human body, and to provide answers to questions about biology that have gone unanswered for too long.

To me, the science of reproductive biology has always been the most beautiful testament to life. I have spent months raising groups of planarians, small brown flatworms–caring for them, feeding them, and cleaning their water each day–to study their amazing ability to reproduce asexually. Each day, I watched in fascination as a worm split in half slowly grew into two separate worms. I spent hours designing and performing various experiments. Would they regenerate more quickly in the warm or the cold? At what point in regeneration did the worm’s eyespots become sensitive to light? Could worms missing their lower half still eat? Nothing excited me more than discovering the answers to these questions. I felt like I was uncovering a new world through these small brown flatworms and their otherworldly ways of reproducing. Throughout my experiments and investigations, I have always searched for a way any discoveries applied to humans. Last summer, I joined Dr. Harvey Kliman’s clinical lab at Yale as a volunteer, looking for deeper insight into both the perils and the beauty of human reproduction. Under the guidance of Dr. Kiman, a world-renowned expert in placental research, I spent seven hours each day in the lab, an excited smile spread across my face as I attempted to learn everything there was to know. Studying slides containing placental samples underneath the microscope revealed to me the miniscule errors that could cause a pregnancy to be lost. Reading stories of patients who were able to overcome the errors and deliver healthy children revealed the astounding resilience of life. Such a fragile process, influenced by so many coordinating factors, is miraculous. My seemingly unusual passion for reproductive biology stems from a simple passion for learning about the world. During my time in Dr. Kliman's lab, I realized that one of the most essential processes of life--the process of reproduction--is too often ignored. Understanding the impact of Dr. Kliman's work on his patients has made me certain that I, too, want to provide answers for those whose losses are seemingly unexplained. As a woman of color in healthcare, I hope to bring compassion and understanding to women whose issues are often overlooked or dismissed. For those who struggle with pregnancy loss, I want to help them understand both what caused the loss and ways to prevent it in the future. Through my own research, I plan to bring understanding and awareness to reproductive health, an essential part of women's health that is severely understudied. Most especially, I hope to serve women of color and those who are most often overlooked in medicine. I hope to use my passion and interest in biology not only to better understand the human body, but also to provide answers to questions about biology that have gone unanswered for too long.

To me, the science of reproductive biology has always been the most beautiful testament to life. I have spent months raising groups of planarians, small brown flatworms–caring for them, feeding them, and cleaning their water each day–to study their amazing ability to reproduce asexually. Each day, I watched in fascination as a worm split in half slowly grew into two separate worms. I spent hours designing and performing various experiments. Would they regenerate more quickly in the warm or the cold? At what point in regeneration did the worm’s eyespots become sensitive to light? Could worms missing their lower half still eat? Nothing excited me more than discovering the answers to these questions. I felt like I was uncovering a new world through these small brown flatworms and their otherworldly ways of reproducing. Throughout my experiments and investigations, I have always searched for a way any discoveries applied to humans. Last summer, I joined Dr. Harvey Kliman’s clinical lab at Yale as a volunteer, looking for deeper insight into both the perils and the beauty of human reproduction. Under the guidance of Dr. Kiman, a world-renowned expert in placental research, I spent seven hours each day in the lab, an excited smile spread across my face as I attempted to learn everything there was to know. Studying slides containing placental samples underneath the microscope revealed to me the miniscule errors that could cause a pregnancy to be lost. Reading stories of patients who were able to overcome the errors and deliver healthy children revealed the astounding resilience of life. Such a fragile process, influenced by so many coordinating factors, is miraculous. My seemingly unusual passion for reproductive biology stems from a simple passion for learning about the world. During my time in Dr. Kliman's lab, I realized that one of the most essential processes of life--the process of reproduction--is too often ignored. Understanding the impact of Dr. Kliman's work on his patients has made me certain that I, too, want to provide answers for those whose losses are seemingly unexplained. As a woman in healthcare, I hope to bring compassion and understanding to women whose issues are often overlooked or dismissed. For those who struggle with pregnancy loss, I want to help them understand both what caused the loss and ways to prevent it in the future. Through my own research, I plan to bring understanding and awareness to reproductive health, an essential part of women's health that is severely understudied. I hope to use my passion and interest in biology not only to better understand the human body, but also to provide answers to questions about biology that have gone unanswered for too long.

To me, the science of reproductive biology has always been the most beautiful testament to life. I have spent months raising groups of planarians, small brown flatworms–caring for them, feeding them, and cleaning their water each day–to study their amazing ability to reproduce asexually. Each day, I watched in fascination as a worm split in half slowly grew into two separate worms. I spent hours designing and performing various experiments. Would they regenerate more quickly in the warm or the cold? At what point in regeneration did the worm’s eyespots become sensitive to light? Could worms missing their lower half still eat? Nothing excited me more than discovering the answers to these questions. I felt like I was uncovering a new world through these small brown flatworms and their otherworldly ways of reproducing. Throughout my experiments and investigations, I have always searched for a way any discoveries applied to humans. Over the summer, I joined Dr. Harvey Kliman’s clinical lab at Yale as a volunteer, looking for deeper insight into both the perils and the beauty of human reproduction. Under the guidance of Dr. Kiman, a world-renowned expert in placental research, I spent seven hours each day in the lab, an excited smile spread across my face as I attempted to learn everything there was to know. Studying slides containing placental samples underneath the microscope revealed to me the miniscule errors that could cause a pregnancy to be lost. Reading stories of patients who were able to overcome the errors and deliver healthy children revealed the astounding resilience of life. Such a fragile process, influenced by so many coordinating factors, is miraculous. My seemingly unusual passion for reproductive biology stems from a simple passion for learning about the world. Understanding the impact of Dr. Kliman's work on his patients has made me certain that I, too, want to provide answers for those whose losses are seemingly unexplained. The process of asking questions, crafting experiments, and discovering new ways of looking at biology and at the world is immensely rewarding. I hope to use my passion and interest in biology to better understand the human body, and to provide answers to questions about biology that have gone unanswered for too long.

How do you share your story when the experience that has shaped your life the most has also torn it apart? I am Isabel, a high school senior planning to major in biology, and eventually work on both the research and clinical sides of reproductive medicine. Having volunteered in a Yale research lab and at the Yale New Haven Hospital, my real-life experience with medicine has taught me that compassion is one of the most essential virtues. As secretary of my school's Science National Honor Society and a member of the Math National Honor Society, I am incredibly passionate about the way that science and math reveal the nature of the world. As a participant in Yale's Medical Specialty Exposure Pipeline program, where I learned about various fields of medicine from real doctors, I have always been curious and excited to learn. For example, I often perform my own experiments at home to study different methods of reproduction in various creatures. In addition, I fill much of my spare time with philosophical reading and creative writing, topics which I believe explore a more subjective yet human aspect of life. I am also a dedicated member of the cross country team and am working to co-found a literary magazine for my school. While English is my first language, I have taken Chinese lessons since kindergarten, and am currently learning my third language, Spanish. To each endeavor that I take on, I always put in my greatest effort, despite the great hardships that I have faced due to my mental health struggles. At thirteen, I often spent hours each day alone in my room, crying, wondering if it was normal to feel so awful all the time. "How are people able to do anything when they feel like this?" I would ask myself. "How does everyone constantly feel so terrible but never mention it?" Now, of course, I know that it is not normal to feel an inescapable, soul-shredding sadness that never fades. When I first found out that I was diagnosed with depression, anxiety, OCD, and an eating disorder, my perspective on what was possible changed drastically. I realized that many things were truly harder for me than they were for most people--from getting dressed each morning to grabbing a snack with my friends, every aspect of my life is affected by my mental health. But realizing that my struggles really were valid also provided me with motivation: if I could not escape it, then I would overcome it. Since then, I have worked endlessly toward my goals of becoming a doctor and a biologist. While some days it is still difficult to work through everyday life, I continue in spite of these challenges; I continue *because* of these challenges. I now know that I am so much stronger than my mental health struggles. I will be entering college as a freshman next year, and it is undeniable that adjusting to the college life will be challenging because of my mental health struggles. But as I continue to work toward recovery, I realize that I really can do it, no matter how difficult it seems. Throughout college and beyond, I will fight for recovery--for the life I have always dreamed of. Because of my own battle with my mental health, I have come to understand the vital importance of support and recognition for those who are struggling. In the future, I plan to work to destigmatize mental health and bring awareness to the obstacles faced by people with mental health challenges. I want to provide younger people with the opportunity to understand themselves and their unique mental health journeys--a revelation that was life-changing for me. I plan to achieve this by speaking about mental health openly and non-judgmentally among students, bringing light to the struggles of those whose stories are often overlooked. By sharing my story, and by relentlessly pursuing my dreams, I hope to empower others to reach their full potential and to realize that they, too, can become stronger by facing their challenges. I hope to foster an environment of support and resilience in whatever college community I join, so that those who have struggled with mental health challenges have an equal opportunity to achieve their dreams.

How do you share your story when the experience that has shaped your life the most has also torn it apart? I am Isabel, a high school senior planning to major in biology, and eventually work on both the research and clinical sides of reproductive medicine. Having volunteered in a Yale research lab and at the Yale New Haven Hospital, my real-life experience with medicine has taught me that compassion is one of the most essential virtues. As a member of both the Science and Math National Honor Societies, I am incredibly passionate about the way that science and math reveal the nature of the world. As a participant in Yale's Medical Specialty Exposure Pipeline program, where I learned about various fields of medicine from real doctors, I have always been curious and excited to learn. For example, I perform my own experiments at home to study different methods of reproduction in various creatures. In addition, I fill much of my spare time with philosophical reading and creative writing, topics which I believe explore a more subjective yet human aspect of life. I am also a dedicated member of the cross country team and am working to co-found a literary magazine for my school. While English is my first language, I have taken Chinese lessons since kindergarten, and am currently learning my third language, Spanish. To each endeavor that I take on, I always put in my greatest effort, despite the great hardships that I have faced due to my mental health struggles. At thirteen, I often spent hours each day alone in my room, crying, wondering if it was normal to feel so awful all the time. "How are people able to do anything when they feel like this?" I would ask myself. "How does everyone constantly feel so terrible but never mention it?" Now, of course, I know that it is not normal to feel an inescapable, soul-shredding sadness that never fades. When I first found out that I was diagnosed with depression, anxiety, OCD, and an eating disorder, my perspective on what was possible changed drastically. I realized that many things were truly harder for me than they were for most people--from getting dressed each morning to grabbing a snack with my friends, every aspect of my life is affected by my mental health. But realizing that my struggles really were valid also provided me with motivation: if I could not escape it, then I would overcome it. Since then, I have worked endlessly toward my goals of becoming a doctor and a biologist. While some days it is still difficult to work through everyday life, I continue in spite of these challenges; I continue *because* of these challenges. I now know that I am so much stronger than my mental health struggles. Because of my own battle with my mental health, I have come to understand the vital importance of support and recognition for those who are struggling. In the future, I plan to work to destigmatize mental health and bring awareness to the obstacles faced by people with mental health challenges. I want to provide younger people with the opportunity to understand themselves and their unique mental health journeys--a revelation that was life-changing for me. I plan to achieve this by speaking about mental health openly and non-judgmentally among students, bringing light to the struggles of those whose stories are often overlooked. By sharing my story, and by relentlessly pursuing my dreams, I hope to empower others to reach their full potential and to realize that they, too, can become stronger by facing their challenges.

How do you share your story when the experience that has shaped your life the most has also torn it apart? I am Isabel, a high school senior planning to major in biology, and eventually work on both the research and clinical sides of reproductive medicine. Having volunteered in a Yale research lab and at the Yale New Haven Hospital, my real-life experience with medicine has taught me that compassion is one of the most essential virtues. As a member of both the Science and Math National Honor Societies, I am incredibly passionate about the way that science and math reveal the nature of the world. As a participant in Yale's Medical Specialty Exposure Pipeline program, where I learned about various fields of medicine from real doctors, I have always been curious and excited to learn. For example, I perform my own experiments at home to study different methods of reproduction in various creatures. In addition, I fill much of my spare time with philosophical reading and creative writing, topics which I believe explore a more subjective yet human aspect of life. I am also a dedicated member of the cross country team and am working to co-found a literary magazine for my school. While English is my first language, I have taken Chinese lessons since kindergarten, and am currently learning my third language, Spanish. To each endeavor that I take on, I always put in my greatest effort, despite the great hardships that I have faced due to my mental health struggles. At thirteen, I often spent hours each day alone in my room, crying, wondering if it was normal to feel so awful all the time. "How are people able to do anything when they feel like this?" I would ask myself. "How does everyone constantly feel so terrible but never mention it?" Now, of course, I know that it is not normal to feel an inescapable, soul-shredding sadness that never fades. When I first found out that I was diagnosed with depression, anxiety, OCD, and an eating disorder, my perspective on what was possible changed drastically. I realized that many things were truly harder for me than they were for most people--from getting dressed each morning to grabbing a snack with my friends, every aspect of my life is affected by my mental health. But realizing that my struggles really were valid also provided me with motivation: if I could not escape it, then I would overcome it. Since then, I have worked endlessly toward my goals of becoming a doctor and a biologist. While some days it is still difficult to work through everyday life, I continue in spite of these challenges; I continue *because* of these challenges. I now know that I am so much stronger than my mental health struggles. Because of my own battle with my mental health, I have come to understand the vital importance of support and recognition for those who are struggling. In the future, I plan to work to destigmatize mental health and bring awareness to the obstacles faced by people with mental health challenges. I want to provide younger people with the opportunity to understand themselves and their unique mental health journeys--a revelation that was life-changing for me. I plan to achieve this by speaking about mental health openly and non-judgmentally among students, bringing light to the struggles of those whose stories are often overlooked. By sharing my story, and by relentlessly pursuing my dreams, I hope to empower others to reach their full potential and to realize that they, too, can become stronger by facing their challenges.

How do you share your story when the experience that has shaped your life the most has also torn it apart? I am Isabel, a high school senior planning to major in biology, and eventually work on both the research and clinical sides of reproductive medicine. Having volunteered in a Yale research lab and at the Yale New Haven Hospital, my real-life experience with medicine has taught me that compassion is one of the most essential virtues. As a member of both the Science and Math National Honor Societies, I am incredibly passionate about the way that science and math reveal the nature of the world. As a participant in Yale's Medical Specialty Exposure Pipeline program, where I learned about various fields of medicine from real doctors, I have always been curious and excited to learn. For example, I perform my own experiments at home to study different methods of reproduction in various creatures. In addition, I fill much of my spare time with philosophical reading and creative writing, topics which I believe explore a more subjective yet human aspect of life. I am also a dedicated member of the cross country team and am working to co-found a literary magazine for my school. While English is my first language, I have taken Chinese lessons since kindergarten, and am currently learning my third language, Spanish. To each endeavor that I take on, I always put in my greatest effort, despite the great hardships that I have faced due to my mental health struggles. At thirteen, I often spent hours each day alone in my room, crying, wondering if it was normal to feel so awful all the time. "How are people able to do anything when they feel like this?" I would ask myself. "How does everyone constantly feel so terrible but never mention it?" Now, of course, I know that it is not normal to feel an inescapable, soul-shredding sadness that never fades. When I first found out that I was diagnosed with depression, anxiety, OCD, and an eating disorder, my perspective on what was possible changed drastically. I realized that many things were truly harder for me than they were for most people--from getting dressed each morning to grabbing a snack with my friends, every aspect of my life is affected by my mental health. But realizing that my struggles really were valid also provided me with motivation: if I could not escape it, then I would overcome it. Since then, I have worked endlessly toward my goals of becoming a doctor and a biologist. While some days it is still difficult to work through everyday life, I continue in spite of these challenges; I continue *because* of these challenges. I now know that I am so much stronger than my mental health struggles. Because of my own battle with my mental health, I have come to understand the vital importance of support and recognition for those who are struggling. In the future, I plan to work to destigmatize mental health and bring awareness to the obstacles faced by people with mental health challenges. I want to provide younger people with the opportunity to understand themselves and their unique mental health journeys--a revelation that was life-changing for me. I plan to achieve this by speaking about mental health openly and non-judgmentally among students, bringing light to the struggles of those whose stories are often overlooked. By sharing my story, and by relentlessly pursuing my dreams, I hope to empower others to reach their full potential and to realize that they, too, can become stronger by facing their challenges.

How do you share your story when the experience that has shaped your life the most has also torn it apart? I am Isabel, a high school senior planning to major in biology, and eventually work on both the research and clinical sides of reproductive medicine. Having volunteered in a Yale research lab and at the Yale New Haven Hospital, my real-life experience with medicine has taught me that compassion is one of the most essential virtues. As a member of both the Science and Math National Honor Societies, I am incredibly passionate about the way that science and math reveal the nature of the world. As a participant in Yale's Medical Specialty Exposure Pipeline program, where I learned about various fields of medicine from real doctors, I have always been curious and excited to learn. For example, I perform my own experiments at home to study different methods of reproduction in various creatures. In addition, I fill much of my spare time with philosophical reading and creative writing, topics which I believe explore a more subjective yet human aspect of life. I am also a dedicated member of the cross country team and am working to co-found a literary magazine for my school. While English is my first language, I have taken Chinese lessons since kindergarten, and am currently learning my third language, Spanish. To each endeavor that I take on, I always put in my greatest effort, despite the great hardships that I have faced due to my mental health struggles. At thirteen, I often spent hours each day alone in my room, crying, wondering if it was normal to feel so awful all the time. "How are people able to do anything when they feel like this?" I would ask myself. "How does everyone constantly feel so terrible but never mention it?" Now, of course, I know that it is not normal to feel an inescapable, soul-shredding sadness that never fades. When I first found out that I was diagnosed with depression, anxiety, OCD, and an eating disorder, my perspective on what was possible changed drastically. I realized that many things were truly harder for me than they were for most people--from getting dressed each morning to grabbing a snack with my friends, every aspect of my life is affected by my mental health. But realizing that my struggles really were valid also provided me with motivation: if I could not escape it, then I would overcome it. Since then, I have worked endlessly toward my goals of becoming a doctor and a biologist. While some days it is still difficult to work through everyday life, I continue in spite of these challenges; I continue *because* of these challenges. I now know that I am so much stronger than my mental health struggles. Because of my battle with my mental health, I have come to understand the vital importance of understanding my struggles instead of overlooking them. As a woman in STEM looking to achieve a doctorate degree (MD and possibly also a PhD), my expectations for myself are very high. Realizing when I am struggling and taking the necessary steps to care for myself--from going on a morning run to talking with a trusted friend if I need support--is essential to succeeding. While always being aware of my mental health can be difficult, I have learned to respect myself and my needs, an attitude which, in the end, only makes me stronger.

How do you share your story when the experience that has shaped your life the most has also torn it apart? I am Isabel, a high school senior planning to major in biology, and eventually work on both the research and clinical sides of reproductive medicine. Having volunteered in a Yale research lab and at the Yale New Haven Hospital, my real-life experience with medicine has taught me that compassion is one of the most essential virtues. As a member of both the Science and Math National Honor Societies, I am incredibly passionate about the way that science and math reveal the nature of the world. As a participant in Yale's Medical Specialty Exposure Pipeline program, where I learned about various fields of medicine from real doctors, I have always been curious and excited to learn. For example, I perform my own experiments at home to study different methods of reproduction in various creatures. In addition, I fill much of my spare time with philosophical reading and creative writing, topics which I believe explore a more subjective yet human aspect of life. I am also a dedicated member of the cross country team and am working to co-found a literary magazine for my school. While English is my first language, I have taken Chinese lessons since kindergarten, and am currently learning my third language, Spanish. To each endeavor that I take on, I always put in my greatest effort, despite the great hardships that I have faced due to my mental health struggles. At thirteen, I often spent hours each day alone in my room, crying, wondering if it was normal to feel so awful all the time. "How are people able to do anything when they feel like this?" I would ask myself. "How does everyone constantly feel so terrible but never mention it?" Now, of course, I know that it is not normal to feel an inescapable, soul-shredding sadness that never fades. When I first found out that I was diagnosed with depression, anxiety, OCD, and an eating disorder, my perspective on what was possible changed drastically. I realized that many things were truly harder for me than they were for most people--from getting dressed each morning to grabbing a snack with my friends, every aspect of my life is affected by my mental health. But realizing that my struggles really were valid also provided me with motivation: if I could not escape it, then I would overcome it. Since then, I have worked endlessly toward my goals of becoming a doctor and a biologist. While some days it is still difficult to work through everyday life, I continue in spite of these challenges; I continue *because* of these challenges. I now know that I am so much stronger than my mental health struggles. Because of my own battle with my mental health, I have come to understand the vital importance of support and recognition for those who are struggling. In the future, I plan to work to destigmatize mental health and bring awareness to the obstacles faced by people with mental health challenges. I want to provide younger people with the opportunity to understand themselves and their unique mental health journeys--a revelation that was life-changing for me. I plan to achieve this by speaking about mental health openly and non-judgmentally among students, bringing light to the struggles of those whose stories are often overlooked. By sharing my story, and by relentlessly pursuing my dreams, I hope to empower others to reach their full potential and to realize that they, too, can become stronger by facing their challenges.

How do you share your story when the experience that has shaped your life the most has also torn it apart? I am Isabel, a high school senior planning to major in biology, and eventually work on both the research and clinical sides of reproductive medicine. Having volunteered in a Yale research lab and at the Yale New Haven Hospital, my real-life experience with medicine has taught me that compassion is one of the most essential virtues. As a member of both the Science and Math National Honor Societies, I am incredibly passionate about the way that science and math reveal the nature of the world. As a participant in Yale's Medical Specialty Exposure Pipeline program, where I learned about various fields of medicine from real doctors, I have always been curious and excited to learn. For example, I perform my own experiments at home to study different methods of reproduction in various creatures. In addition, I fill much of my spare time with philosophical reading and creative writing, topics which I believe explore a more subjective yet human aspect of life. I am also a dedicated member of the cross country team and am working to co-found a literary magazine for my school. While English is my first language, I have taken Chinese lessons since kindergarten, and am currently learning my third language, Spanish. To each endeavor that I take on, I always put in my greatest effort, despite the great hardships that I have faced due to my mental health struggles. At thirteen, I often spent hours each day alone in my room, crying, wondering if it was normal to feel so awful all the time. "How are people able to do anything when they feel like this?" I would ask myself. "How does everyone constantly feel so terrible but never mention it?" Now, of course, I know that it is not normal to feel an inescapable, soul-shredding sadness that never fades. When I first found out that I was diagnosed with depression, anxiety, OCD, and an eating disorder, my perspective on what was possible changed drastically. I realized that many things were truly harder for me than they were for most people--from getting dressed each morning to grabbing a snack with my friends, every aspect of my life is affected by my mental health. But realizing that my struggles really were valid also provided me with motivation: if I could not escape it, then I would overcome it. Since then, I have worked endlessly toward my goals of becoming a doctor and a biologist. While some days it is still difficult to work through everyday life, I continue in spite of these challenges; I continue *because* of these challenges. I now know that I am so much stronger than my mental health struggles. Because of my own battle with my mental health, I have come to understand the vital importance of support and recognition for those who are struggling. In the future, I plan to work to destigmatize mental health and bring awareness to the obstacles faced by people with mental health challenges. I want to provide younger people with the opportunity to understand themselves and their unique mental health journeys--a revelation that was life-changing for me. I plan to achieve this by speaking about mental health openly and non-judgmentally among students, bringing light to the struggles of those whose stories are often overlooked. By sharing my story, and by relentlessly pursuing my dreams, I hope to empower others to reach their full potential and to realize that they, too, can become stronger by facing their challenges.

How do you share your story when the experience that has shaped your life the most has also torn it apart? I am Isabel, a high school senior planning to major in biology, and eventually work on both the research and clinical sides of reproductive medicine. Having volunteered in a Yale research lab and at the Yale New Haven Hospital, my real-life experience with medicine has taught me that compassion is one of the most essential virtues. As a member of both the Science and Math National Honor Societies, I am incredibly passionate about the way that science and math reveal the nature of the world. As a participant in Yale's Medical Specialty Exposure Pipeline program, where I learned about various fields of medicine from real doctors, I have always been curious and excited to learn. For example, I perform my own experiments at home to study different methods of reproduction in various creatures. In addition, I fill much of my spare time with philosophical reading and creative writing, topics which I believe explore a more subjective yet human aspect of life. I am also a dedicated member of the cross country team and am working to co-found a literary magazine for my school. While English is my first language, I have taken Chinese lessons since kindergarten, and am currently learning my third language, Spanish. To each endeavor that I take on, I always put in my greatest effort, despite the great hardships that I have faced due to my mental health struggles. At thirteen, I often spent hours each day alone in my room, crying, wondering if it was normal to feel so awful all the time. "How are people able to do anything when they feel like this?" I would ask myself. "How does everyone constantly feel so terrible but never mention it?" Now, of course, I know that it is not normal to feel an inescapable, soul-shredding sadness that never fades. When I first found out that I was diagnosed with depression, anxiety, OCD, and an eating disorder, my perspective on what was possible changed drastically. I realized that many things were truly harder for me than they were for most people--from getting dressed each morning to grabbing a snack with my friends, every aspect of my life is affected by my mental health. But realizing that my struggles really were valid also provided me with motivation: if I could not escape it, then I would overcome it. Since then, I have worked endlessly toward my goals of becoming a doctor and a biologist. While some days it is still difficult to work through everyday life, I continue in spite of these challenges; I continue *because* of these challenges. I now know that I am so much stronger than my mental health struggles. Because of my own battle with my mental health, I have come to understand the vital importance of support and recognition for those who are struggling. In the future, I plan to work to destigmatize mental health and bring awareness to the obstacles faced by people with mental health challenges. I want to provide younger people with the opportunity to understand themselves and their unique mental health journeys--a revelation that was life-changing for me. I plan to achieve this by speaking about mental health openly and non-judgmentally among students, bringing light to the struggles of those whose stories are often overlooked. By sharing my story, and by relentlessly pursuing my dreams, I hope to empower others to reach their full potential and to realize that they, too, can become stronger by facing their challenges.