My grandfather lived with me while I was growing up, but as he became physically weaker, my mom naturally took on the demanding role of his primary caretaker. Living in the same home, I witnessed firsthand just how exhausting and difficult it was for her to juggle a job, care for her children, and manage her father's declining health. This burden was made immensely heavier by the fact that neither of them was a native English speaker. I would watch her struggle to decipher complex medical jargon during appointments, and then see the disheartening moments when her attempts to translate that critical information to my grandfather fell short. There were even times when my mother turned to me for help, leaving me with a heavy sense of guilt when I was too young to offer any meaningful assistance. That childhood guilt eventually transformed into profound frustration as I got older and faced my own health battles. I was diagnosed with Basal Cell Carcinoma, PMOS (formerly known as PCOS), Endometriosis, and Adenomyosis. What alarmed me most throughout this journey was the total lack of urgency from the medical system regarding my conditions. Like so many women, I found my pain routinely dismissed, forcing me to learn how to fiercely advocate for myself. Seeing how fragile health can be, and how easily patients can be left behind, inspired me to take direct action. This fall, I begin my M.S. in Health Informatics at Weill Cornell Medicine to turn those painful experiences into purpose. My goal is to acquire the technical skills and professional network necessary to create accessible health technology. Because women’s health remains notoriously underresearched, patients are left with few reliable resources to guide their care. I want to build technology that changes that, tools that empower women to take back autonomy over their bodies. For many chronic conditions, personalized lifestyle and dietary adjustments can significantly improve quality of life. I aim to develop an application that provides tailored, evidence-based steps to manage symptoms, giving women informed options beyond relying solely on medications that may not suit their unique needs. There is real power in having clear, actionable data at your fingertips. While my diagnoses have presented immense challenges, they have ultimately clarified my mission. Studying the intersection of data, technology, and healthcare at the graduate level will give me the tools to bridge critical gaps in patient care, improve communication between providers and families, and build a more equitable health system.

Being a first-generation student is one of my greatest points of pride. To me, it means embodying resourcefulness, courage, and resilience. I am building a future without a clear blueprint, turning every unknown into a step forward. Beyond my own personal ambitions, it represents an endless opportunity to honor my parents' sacrifices and make them proud by carrying our family’s story into spaces we’ve never reached before. Navigating higher education on my own hasn't been easy. With no built-in guidance to explain complex college applications or financial aid forms, I had to figure out the system by trial and error. Financing my education entirely alone added another layer of pressure. Rather than letting the uncertainty isolate me, I chose to put myself out there. I sought out mentors, actively asked for help, and got involved in campus life, actively paving the way for my own growth and building a supportive community from scratch. My relentless drive comes from my personal relationship with the healthcare system. At 22, I was diagnosed with Basal Cell Carcinoma, a form of skin cancer that was surprising to find since I am young and have melanated skin. This experience has shown me firsthand where patient care falls short due to multiple misdiagnoses. I am currently pursuing an M.S. in Health Informatics at Weill Cornell, and my ultimate dream is to create intuitive, patient-centered technology that makes healthcare more accessible, seamless, and compassionate for those managing chronic illnesses. My physical challenges have given me a clear sense of purpose, I want to transform my lived experience into innovative solutions that ease the burden for others. Achieving this dream while managing daily life, however, is a delicate balance. I currently live alone, work full-time, and take classes part-time because federal loans do not cover my full tuition. I’ve searched for alternative part-time work that fits around my rigorous academic schedule, but suitable opportunities have been scarce. Balancing a heavy work schedule with school takes a severe toll on my time and physical energy. This scholarship would directly lift that overwhelming financial burden. It would reduce the need to overextend myself at another job, giving me back precious hours to focus deeply on my studies, excel academically, and devote time to projects that will launch my career. More than financial relief, this investment in my education brings me one step closer to making healthcare tech more accessible and showing what a determined, first-generation student can achieve.