Bio-Rad Employee Dependent Scholarship June Russell June 4th, 2026 Relation to Bio-Rad Employee: Bryan Russell, Father As someone who has multiple diabetic family members, I’ve done a lot of research on the disease’s history. Before the 1920s, a diabetes diagnosis was considered a death sentence until insulin was discovered. In the 1980s, patients had to constantly measure their glucose levels through their urine, and in the 21st early century something called continuous glucose monitoring entered the diabetic-care field. Continuous glucose monitoring allowed diabetic patients to constantly have access to how high or low their glucose levels were in their blood. New biomedical technology that has entered the diabetic care field has saved countless lives. In April, I got the pleasure of visiting The University of California Santa Barbara’s Open House Day. To my excitement, I got to sit in on a lecture taught by Dr. Kevin W. Plaxco. Dr. Plaxco is a chemistry professor who teaches mostly graduate students at the University, so I was grateful to hear what he had been working on with fellow Gauchos and scientists like myself. He had been working on Molecular Diagnostics, but more specifically- drug monitoring. He and his team were trying to apply what had worked so well with continuous glucose monitoring to other prescription drugs. Hearing about this inspired me. I began to see how the lives of people around me could be affected by this technology. One of my friends, for instance, had previously taken Lithium for clinical depression. However, it became dangerous when her psychiatrist kept adjusting the dose. She became at risk for lithium toxicity, and had to switch to a different medication. Now imagine if her medical team had access to this technology. Globally, continuous drug monitoring could revolutionize healthcare for patients by making drug dosing quicker, more precise, and more safe. After I came home from UCSB’s Open House Day, I immediately submitted my statement of intent to register. Their research programs, especially in biomedical engineering, couldn’t compare to any other school I was considering. At UCSB, I look forward to finding my own spot on a research project. I hope I will get the chance to work with other young scientists like myself to make medical care easier for both the patient and the doctor. After all, everyone deserves to have safe access to prescription drugs and that’s why I believe continuous drug monitoring is the next scientific advancement that will change lives.

“Become a doctor- don’t settle for being a nurse!” my nosy neighbor Felicity advised me when I told her my future career plan. My grandfather (Opa) was a doctor in the Army, and I became set on following his path. He was intelligent, kind, thoughtful and family-oriented. However, in my opinion following his path didn’t mean becoming a doctor. It meant embodying the same traits he learned during his time in the Army, and dedicating my life to helping others. This is when I became set on a nursing career path. Felicity’s assumption that I’m “settling” for being a nurse couldn’t be further from the truth- and here’s why: Growing up in an area shackled with issues like homelessness or drug abuse drove me to consider healthcare. I wanted to help the people who had been denied access to medical care, and years in the future- I still visualize myself with passion for helping others. Working in healthcare will allow me to give back to the community I love so much. The responsibilities I look forward to taking on won’t just include administering medicine or monitoring vital signs, but also taking on the roles of advocate, teacher, and teammate. After I finish my undergraduate degree, I plan to apply to Accelerated BSN Programs. There are a few nursing specialties I will want to work in, such as ER, Labor and Delivery, and the Neuro-Surgical ICU. After I work as a nurse for a few years, I plan to go back to school to become a Certified Nurse Anaesthetist. As a CNA, I will work with a patient from pre to post-surgical care. Nurses can’t control everything. There are some circumstances where painful surgery is inevitable, but thanks to advancements in modern day medication- I can help make patient’s experiences better. In my opinion, this is what giving back means. You cannot always eradicate issues, but putting in effort to help the problem is what truly matters. When I respond to a misguided statement like Felicity’s- I talk about my traits and why I am best suited as a nurse. Being an extrovert fuels my drive for connecting with patients. My curiosity pushes me to ask questions. My compassion has allowed me to approach aspects of healthcare with empathy and understanding. I tell her I don't need to become a doctor to earn a title- I’m confident I’ve chosen the best path for myself.

I have always looked up to people in the healthcare field, especially nurses. While some people sideline the profession, nursing is one of the most rewarding careers in my eyes. Even though nurses are dealing with long shifts, staffing shortages, and burnout, they always astound me with how much patience and care nurses are able to give to their patients. When I was little and hysterical before I had to get a shot, it was nurses who took the time to calm me down and make sure I was okay. Those moments really opened my eyes to how kind nurses are. Now that I am older and know I want to pursue nursing, I have put in the effort to include many different nursing characteristics in my life today, such as a willingness to learn, advocacy, and problem-solving. These traits are essential to being a nurse, and because I am determined to obtain my BSN, I have made the choice to put in the work to adapt these traits into my lifestyle. As a leader of my theater program at school, I have learned to problem solve. Our school has made budget cuts to the arts program, so the theater program has been problem-solving ways to bring more money in, and I am really grateful to be part of that process. Being part of a team all helping to solve one issue developed my teamwork skills, and my problem-solving abilities, which I think are both essential to nursing. Patient advocacy is another big trait that, in my opinion, is essential to the nursing profession. While nurses are just one cog in the big machine that is the healthcare system, they are the part of the machine that has connections with the patients. Patients need to be able to have people on their side, which is where patient advocacy comes in. As a kid, I used to have a hard time speaking my mind because I was so shy. However, when I branched out and joined an advocacy group for more mountain bikes on trails, I started to be more confident in my own voice. I have had the opportunity to speak my mind at board meetings in front of large groups of people and make my voice heard. This group has really pushed me to be my best self, and I know now I could be a great advocate for my future patient who needs it. Both of these examples of my life experiences have shown how I have the qualities to become a nurse, but I also want to show my passion for the career. Being in the healthcare field has always been a long-time dream of mine, ever since I was a kid. Now, in high school, I am pushing for opportunities to be given to myself and other students at my school who want to work in healthcare. With my friend, Audrey, we have created a club at our school to inform people about medical news going on today, organize blood drives and volunteer hours at local hospitals, and gain attention to why doctors and nurses are so important. We have spoken with our school district about adding a medical program for students who are interested in our curriculum at El Cerrito High School, and we plan to do so much more our senior year. To become a successful nurse, you need the personality traits that make you a great nurse, but you also need the drive and determination to become a nurse.