1. Tell us about yourself. My name is Mara Brissault, and I am a Haitian immigrant, student leader, and aspiring physician. I am 16 years old and majoring in biochemistry at Stony Brook University. I love to draw, sing, and paint in my free time. I am passionate about leadership work and community service, especially in helping underserved communities. I care deeply about access to medicine and education, and I am motivated each day by the belief that no life should be cut short because of systemic barriers. 2. What’s a real-world issue you feel deeply connected to, and why? I feel deeply connected to the issue of healthcare inequity. In Haiti, I witnessed children die from preventable illnesses, and these kids were my age, they were just like me, they had dreams, hopes for their futures and goals, but they were stolen from a chance to follow these dreams. These tragedies left a lasting mark on me, showing me how a lack of medical access destroys families and erodes trust in healthcare. 3. If you had the power to make change in that area, what would you do? I would work to build systems that would make healthcare accessible and affordable for everyone. These systems would focus on prevention, education, and emergency readiness. This includes training first responders in rural areas, building more hospitals and creating trust between patients and medical professionals. My dream is to be a physician who patients can trust even when their lives are at risk. 4. How did you choose your area of study, and what do you hope to do with it? My interest in medicine grew into passion through curiosity in anatomy, neuroscience, and biology. I joined the Science Club, Neuroscience Club, HOSA, Pre-Med Club and Science Honor Society, pursued online biomedical programs on Coursera to educate myself, and even started a YouTube channel, Medspire, to share first aid and health education in french. I plan to become a doctor, likely in surgery or public health, who combines medicine with advocacy for global healthcare access. 5. What’s one goal you’ve set for yourself in the next 5 years—and how do you plan to get there? Within five years, I aim to begin medical school. To achieve this, I will pursue pre-medical studies in college, continue research and volunteer work, and stay committed to leadership roles that prepare me for a career in healthcare. I hope to continue being involved in my community and help others as much as I can. 6. How has education helped you better understand yourself and your purpose? Education has helped reveal my passion or my true calling. Moving to the U.S. meant adapting quickly and finding ways to be involved in my community. Additionally I was able to take part in different projects and challenge myself to find new ways to be useful. Through this, I discovered that learning is not just about personal success, it is about equipping myself to serve and teach others. 7. How has your identity as a woman influenced the way you move through the world? As a young woman pursuing medicine and leadership, I have had to claim space in environments where women are underrepresented(cardiothoracic surgery). My perspective as a woman pushes me to lead with empathy and to serve as a role model for girls who aspire to careers in science and medicine. 8. What does leadership mean to you—and how have you embodied it? To me, leadership means service and responsibility. As president of HOSA, SkillsUSA, and vice president of the French Club, I’ve learned to guide others, foster collaboration, and create opportunities. Leadership is also about empowering others through personal growth and therefore also empowering yourself. Leadership is not about titles, it is about leaving people and communities better than you found them, and building unbreakable human connections. 9. Describe a time you had to be resourceful or resilient. What did you learn from it? Resilience defined my adjustment to life in the U.S. I faced poverty, cultural change, and communication barriers. I learned that I needed to find ways to make opportunities for myself and pave myself a path in a world that wasn’t including me. I sought out online learning, volunteered in my community, and created my own opportunities to grow. I learned that even in difficult circumstances, determination can turn setbacks into seeds for growth and success. 10. If awarded this scholarship, how would it help you pursue your dreams? Recently I have been having issues with paying my tuition. My legal guardian makes minimum wage and is also helping my sister pay for her tuition and therefore cannot help me. This scholarship would allow me to continue my academic journey with fewer financial burdens, giving me the freedom to focus on my studies, volunteer work, and preparation for a career in medicine. It would not just support my education, it would invest in my dream to become a physician who hopes to build a more equitable healthcare system for all.