Growing up in New Jersey has undoubtedly shaped my beliefs, relationships, and career aspirations. There is a pride that comes from not only living in New Jersey, but specifically whatever region of Jersey that you live in. For me, I live in Central New Jersey. That means, I have had the experience to live in an area that thrives off of its diverse culture, close-knit communities, and have quick access to major cities, such as Philadelphia and New York within an hour. Growing up surrounded by people from various backgrounds has shaped my understanding of the world in a larger context. I have grown up interacting with individuals from different ethnicities, religions, and socioeconomic statuses. This exposure instilled in me the value of inclusivity, empathy, and respect for different perspectives. It has prepared me to be comfortable in my own skin, but to be open and willing to learn about different opinions, engage in healthy conversations, and appreciate the differences and commonalities that people share. These experiences have influenced how I approach relationships and social interactions. I have spent my childhood traveling between various cities, towns, and counties in New Jersey. Largely due to my soccer career, I can say that I have spent time at the top of New Jersey down to the southern regions of New Jersey. In doing so, I have made friends and spent time with family who live a wide range of lifestyles. This has helped me to be able to successfully adapt to various social settings, whether at school, in sports, or at work. I have learned to navigate different environments and form meaningful relationships with people from all walks of life. Whether through friendships, mentors, or family connections, I learned the importance of maintaining supportive and authentic relationships. Furthermore, New Jersey’s proximity to major metropolitan areas like New York City and Philadelphia provided me with endless opportunities to navigate and tryout different areas of academic interests. For example, living in the Rutgers University's backyard, afforded me the opportunity to take advantage of summer pre college programs. New Jersey's school system is one of the best in the country, which afforded me the opportunity participate in high school course work that was rigorous, engaging, and fostered an environment where students could take ownership of their learning. These educational and extra curricular opportunities provided an environment of ambition and helped shape my career aspirations. As a result, I have developed a strong desire to contribute meaningfully to society, which motivated me to pursue a career in biological engineering. In closing, New Jersey has been a foundational influence on my beliefs, relationships, and career aspirations. Living in New Jersey has prepared me to be bold, lead with the human side, and give back to the community that raised me.

My drive to succeed academically is largely in part due to the teaching of my grandfather. He came to this country by himself at the age of 25,not knowing anyone, but with one thing in mind, getting an education, so he could support his family financially as well as be an example for how to be successful in life. All of my life, he impressed upon me the importance of studying and having high standards for myself. He made it clear that as he surpassed his parents academically, it is expected that I surpass my mom, academically, so that I can help others as I have watched him do. From an early age, I learned to seek out resources and help when I am in need of extra support. My grandfather always told me, that study skills translate to work skills, which can either propel your career or create stumbling blocks in your career. My grandfather also encouraged me at a young age to think about how I could use my passion for purpose. He also taught me that academic success is only one part of overall success. He impressed upon me the importance of using my knowledge and skills to make a positive contribution to society. He taught me that I have a responsibility to be a positive role model to others in my family and community. He taught me the importance of giving back to the community and family that raised me. Unfortunately, my grandfather did not live to see me graduate from high school. During my sophomore year, my grandfather, died suddenly from a massive heart attack in January 2022. This was an extremely heartbreaking experience for me. In addition to the emotional toll his departure took on me, my family made the decision to bury him in his homeland, which extended my absences beyond my normal attendance pattern. Upon my return to school, I was challenged with making up missed work and learning new information, all while dealing with the grief of my loss. It was my memories of my grandfather's conversations with me about academic excellence and legacy that I used to fuel my empty tank that year. I believe my life's purpose is to serve and advocate for the underrepresented in healthcare. I plan to use my academic knowledge to focus on how to improve access and education to underserved communities as it relates to preventive and reactionary care. It is for that reason that I will be studying Biological Engineering. Specifically, I would like to focus on increasing the rate at which underserved communities detect cancerous cells, increase the access and effectiveness of the medications prescribed, and close the gap of mortality rates between underserved populations and their counterparts. I also intend to dedicate time to increasing awareness about the relationship between living a healthy lifestyle and the importance of health screenings to increase the chances of one living a healthier life.