As an aspiring neuroscience student, my journey into the intricate workings of the brain began thanks to various online platforms, tools, and resources. The digital landscape provides a rich tapestry of learning opportunities that enhance my understanding of neuroscience and enable me to apply that knowledge in versatile ways. Through online courses, educational videos, research databases, and interactive communities, I establish a multifaceted approach to my studies and diversify my knowledge for my future career. One of the most significant resources I utilize is Coursera, where I enrolled in base-level neuroscience/psychology courses offered by universities that sparked my curiosity and passion for brain science. Courses like Yale Introduction to Psychology helped me delve into an interest I had only observed from afar until that point--the brain. This course provided me with solid foundations in neuroanatomy, neural signaling, social psychology, and the potential physiological explanations for behaviors. The structured format of these courses, combined with simple assignments and professor-provided guidance, allows me to engage actively with the material and communicate it back in a way that helps me also solidify my communication skills. In addition to formal courses, I find YouTube a helpful resource. Channels like CrashCourse offer me engaging visual content that breaks down complex topics into digestible segments. Watching animated explanations of neural networks and brain functions has reinforced my theoretical knowledge and made it easier to visualize processes that can be incomprehensible by textbooks alone. A recent video on the effects of neurotransmitters sparked my interest in exploring how imbalances can lead to mental health disorders, prompting me to investigate further and apply this knowledge in a community service project focused on mental health awareness. I am currently undertaking an unpaid neuroscience internship with UC Davis, where I interact with incredible researchers at the forefront of their fields and where I must maintain a quick pace and ensure efficiency of knowledge and research ability at all times. Research databases such as Google Scholar and PubMed have become tools in my repertoire. These platforms have been a great help in locating research and learning more about hands-on activity and requirements for running experiments, providing me access to a vast array of peer-reviewed articles and clinical studies that keep me updated on the latest findings in neurology and more. For example, while researching the effects of meditation on brain structure, I discovered a study that demonstrated changes in gray matter density (Tang). That informed my understanding of neuroplasticity, which I was not practically familiar with, and also helped me learn to adopt a new hobby-- meditation. The ability to connect empirical research to personal experience truly enhanced my learning. Furthermore, I participate in online communities such as Reddit’s r/neuro. Although not all information on the site is trustworthy, occasionally engaging with fellow students and professionals on social platforms allows me to discuss ideas, share resources, etcetera. I remember posting a question about the neural mechanisms underlying memory formation and receiving insightful responses that helped clarify my confusion. This collaborative learning environment provided me with a sense of companionship and connection with other scholars who encouraged me to push the boundaries of my understanding. As I progress in my neuroscience journey, I am excited to delve into additional digital resources in the future. These resources will undoubtedly enrich my learning, better equip me for a future centered on unraveling the intricacies of the brain, and ultimately nurture my innate curiosity.

Coming from a low-income household has led me to persevere through challenges by preparing me from an early age for the realities of life--that not everything can be handed to me, and I must work for what I have. It has taught me hard work and resilience, which have helped me pursue my academic and extracurricular goals and lead a productive life. I plan to use my experiences from volunteering in my community and owning my own crocheting business to help the people I know and love, particularly those who struggle with health concerns, as I have experienced firsthand. I actively pursue my goals by scouting opportunities for participation at school and church-sponsored functions, such as fundraisers for low-income children's school supplies and food drives. My small business also actively donates a portion of my sales to cancer research nonprofits and other charities. It is my life philosophy to help others and make every contribution I can to help those who have struggled as I do.

It was a quiet Saturday afternoon three years ago when I heard the bad news—possibly the worst news of my whole life up to that point. My dad called home. I was the one to pick up the phone. With nothing but a whisper, he told me that beloved Vilma, my aunt, had succumbed to her longstanding battle with kidney cancer. One of the people I've loved most is my aunt, and I still think about her daily. It's been a long and challenging path with grief over her, not only for me but for my whole family and all those who loved her, as she felt more like my mother than my own ever had. She was a light in my life when my family fell into a devastating crisis, and I was left virtually alone. She took me under her care, and I shared a table with her lovely, incredible family. They became like the siblings that I never had. She became my haven during frightening moments. She shielded me from my family, even when I did things wrong and the reprimands were valid. She was like a best friend, a confidante, a star in my eyes. However, since that catastrophic day, I have come to learn that I don't have to give her up entirely, despite the toll grief has taken on me at an emotional and academic level. I am learning to live in a way that honors her legacy with me, being a reliable person to the people I love, offering my support to all those who need it, and participating in service organizations for others. The loss of her to cancer has also contributed to my desire to enter the medical field, to hopefully find a way to keep the devastation that is cancer from taking the joy of thousands and millions of other lovely souls like her. Although none of this helps bring her back, I want to create a life for myself and those around me that she would be proud of. I will do her justice always. That is my lifelong promise to her. Thank you.