
Hobbies and interests
Dance
Guitar
Reading
Volunteering
Environmental Science and Sustainability
Teaching
Music
Biomedical Sciences
Writing
Clinical Psychology
Electric Guitar
Ice Skating
Medicine
National Honor Society (NHS)
Neuroscience
Badminton
Learning
Board Games And Puzzles
Studying
Reading
Fantasy
Academic
Classics
Folklore
Mystery
Thriller
Romance
Philosophy
Young Adult
I read books multiple times per week
US CITIZENSHIP
US Citizen
FIRST GENERATION STUDENT
Yes
Lisa Lam
2,955
Bold Points1x
Finalist1x
Winner
Lisa Lam
2,955
Bold Points1x
Finalist1x
WinnerBio
Hi, my name is Lisa, and I'm a rising college freshman with an interest in neuroscience. I hold a firm passion and drive for healing others, whether through research, patient care, or advocacy. My life has been trials and trials of hardship, but I've learned how to ride the waves of change as I glide towards my goals.
As an incoming freshman at Brown University, I'm so excited to continue my education and use my experience to give back to my communities! I'm passionate about advocating for underrepresented communities due to my own background growing up without a strong Vietnamese community.
As I continue on my journey into life, I know my values will continue to guide me into new waves of change and foreign paths of self-discovery. I’ve always held a deep desire to make a difference and plan to do so by deepening my understanding of the brain’s complex codes and translating its unique language. I’m drawn to neuroscience not only due to its delicate intricacies but also to its potential to help patients with neurological diseases and improve their quality of life. Just as my parents provided me with opportunities to shape my future, I want to contribute to a world where everyone is capable of living to their fullest. There is little in life that parallels the vast and uncharted frontiers of the brain, something so fascinating and wondrous that there is still so much left to discover.
Education
Brown University
Bachelor's degree programMajors:
- Neurobiology and Neurosciences
Greater Lowell Technical High School
High SchoolGPA:
4
Leominster Trade High School
High SchoolGPA:
4
Miscellaneous
Desired degree level:
Doctoral degree program (PhD, MD, JD, etc.)
Graduate schools of interest:
Transfer schools of interest:
Majors of interest:
- Health/Medical Preparatory Programs
- Medicine
- Neurobiology and Neurosciences
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other
Career
Dream career field:
Medicine
Dream career goals:
Clinical Neurologist or Pediatrician
Certified Nursing Assistant
Fairhaven Healthcare Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing2023 – 20241 yearFirst Grade Student Teacher Assistant
Frances Drake Elementary School2022 – 20231 yearPharmacy Technician Trainee
Remedium Pharmacy2024 – Present1 year
Sports
Dancing
Club2021 – Present4 years
Awards
- Underclassmen MVP
- Most Distinguished
Research
Civil Engineering
University of Massachusetts Lowell — Research Assistant2024 – 2024
Arts
Greater Lowell Technical High School
Music2023 – PresentLeominster High School Dance Team
Dance2021 – 2024
Public services
Advocacy
The Youth Health Alliance — Program Manager2024 – PresentVolunteering
University of Massachusetts Lowell - VSA — Student Volunteer2023 – PresentVolunteering
The Wish Project — Student Volunteer2023 – PresentVolunteering
Leominster Public Library — Young Adult Center Volunteer2022 – 2023
Future Interests
Advocacy
Volunteering
Philanthropy
The Best is Yet to Come- August Engler Memorial Scholarship
There was a time when I struggled to believe that. Depression has a way of distorting reality, making the future feel like an unreachable concept rather than a promise of something better. I spent years trapped in a cycle of exhaustion, weighed down by expectations I felt I could never live up to. My mind told me I wasn’t enough, that no matter how hard I tried, I would always fall short. But something inside me, however faint, refused to let go of the possibility that life could be more than just survival.
Growing up, I often felt the weight of my family's sacrifices on my shoulders. As immigrants, my parents endured countless hardships to give me a better life, and I felt an immense pressure to succeed. But as much as I excelled in academics, inside, I was struggling. The burden of expectations, combined with personal doubts and isolation, chipped away at me. I began to lose myself in the chaos of my mind, questioning whether I truly belonged anywhere.
My turning point came when I realized I didn’t have to face it alone. I found strength in the people who saw me even when I couldn’t see myself, teachers who reminded me of my potential, friends who listened without judgment, and family members who, despite not fully understanding, supported me in their own ways. Slowly, I started to embrace vulnerability, recognizing that asking for help wasn’t a sign of weakness but rather an act of courage. I sought therapy, practiced self-compassion, and allowed myself to take life one step at a time.
Through this journey, I discovered a renewed sense of purpose. I realized that my struggles did not define me; rather, they shaped me into someone who deeply understands the importance of mental health. I became passionate about using my experiences to help others who might be feeling the same darkness I once did. More than anything, I want to be a source of hope, proof that healing is possible.
I now carry the belief that “The Best is Yet to Come” not just as a phrase but as a guiding truth. I’ve seen firsthand how resilience, support, and hope can transform lives, including my own. As I move forward, I do so with the determination to create a future where mental health is understood, where those struggling are met with compassion, and where no one feels alone in their journey.
As I continue on my journey into life, I know this value will continue to guide me into new waves of change and foreign paths of self-discovery. I’ve always held a deep desire to make a difference and plan to do so by deepening my understanding of the brain’s complex codes and translating its unique language. I’m drawn to neuroscience not only due to its delicate intricacies but also to its potential to help patients with neurological diseases and improve their quality of life. I want to contribute to a world where everyone is capable of living to their fullest. There is little in life that parallels the vast and uncharted frontiers of the brain, something so fascinating and wondrous that there is still so much left to discover. I will continue to push forward, not only for myself but for those who need a reminder that even in the darkest times, the best is always yet to come.