Women of African-American (AA) ancestry experience more aggressive breast cancers, suffer the highest mortality rates, and are disproportionately affected by triple-negative breast cancer. When I first learned of this discrepancy, it immediately steered my interest towards the emerging field of precision research to enhance clinical delivery for understudied populations. I started my role as an Undergraduate Research Assistant at The Ohio State University (OSU) Comprehensive Cancer Center. Under the guidance of Dr. Toland, my project focused on using isogenic cell lines from individuals of African and European ancestries to evaluate how different TP53 genotypes, wildtype, R175H knock-in, and knock-out, responded to stressors such as gamma irradiation. Ultimately, the AA cell lines demonstrated resilience under stress, while KO lines showed higher proliferation under baseline conditions- indicating preliminary findings that TP53-mediated DNA damage response may vary significantly by ancestry. This work reinforced the importance of advancing ancestral-based genome research to better understand clinical outcomes for a broader range of women. During this experience, I co-authored a genome-wide association study published in Cancer Research Communications (DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.06.23299442). Furthermore, I presented my own findings titled Characterizing the Heterogeneity of TP53 Mutations on Tumor Phenotypes in Diverse Cell Lines at four major OSU conferences. At the same time, I felt compelled to explore an often-overlooked aspect of cancer: post-chemotherapy rehabilitation. As a lifelong dancer, I found a unique way to explore this question through the lens of survivorship and rehabilitation at the OSU Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. Specifically, Dr. Worthen-Chaudhari’s project aimed to evaluate Adapted Argentine Tango as a novel intervention for women suffering from chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy- a debilitating and often permanent side effect of chemotherapy with limited treatment options. During this clinical study, I worked directly with breast cancer survivors to deliver dance-based exercises targeting balance, coordination, and postural control. Over the course of the intervention, I observed consistent improvements in patient-reported outcomes such as reduced pain, tingling, and instability, as well as noticeable gains in physical confidence and personal empowerment. Ultimately, our early findings have depicted promising improvements in balance and reduced neuropathic symptoms, reinforcing the potential of dance-based rehabilitation as a non-invasive, accessible treatment option. Based on this research, I co-presenting the State of the Science: Dance and Neurorehabilitation symposium at the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine’s Annual Conference alongside my PI, Dr. Worthen-Chaudhari (https://acrm2024.eventscribe.net/fsPopup.asp?PresenterId=1929864&mode=presenterinfo). Subsequently, my presentation titled Systematic Review of Dance-based Interventions Targeting Upper Extremity Function in Occupational Therapy has been published in the Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (DOI:10.1016/j.apmr.2025.01.310). Furthermore, I’ve authored two first-author manuscripts currently in submission: - Dance-Based Intervention for Upper Extremity Function: A Systematic Review - Dance as Physical Medicine for Survivors of Cancer: A Scoping Review Collectively, both these experiences have solidified my desire to bridge basic science with clinical care, all while keeping women’s health at the forefront of my career. As an incoming first-year medical student at The Ohio State University College of Medicine, I aim to continue this work by integrating translational research and innovation into my future as a physician-scientist. I am particularly driven to contribute to equitable advancements in cancer diagnostics, survivorship care, and non-invasive rehabilitative therapies. With the support of this scholarship, I hope to be better positioned to pursue research, advocacy, and academic opportunities that advance evidence-based care for women from diverse backgrounds, address overseen conditions, and provide equitable treatment options. Women’s health deserves tailored and inclusive solutions, and I will strive to be a part of that transformation both during my medical training and future medical practice.