Huddling in the dark music room, we fifty tween girls stared uncomfortably at the ancient CRT in the center of the room. The wonders of puberty were represented through a script of intricate metaphors and undetailed but colorful diagrams, often oversimplistic as is the nature of most curriculums towards women's health. After, the teachers ushered us out of the room (across the gym where the boys were playing dodgeball) with a “ask your parents if you have questions.” My subsequent uncertainty in my body led me to smuggle hygienic products around like a criminal, feeling ashamed of my body. This early mindset of fear of others knowing about what was happening to my body encouraged ignorance of my own health until I grew older and became inspired by increased women empowerment in different fields. Working with Dr. Eugenia Georges, I had the opportunity to write an anthropological report on my interviews with multiple physician moms to understand the challenges and achievements that they have experienced. One notable woman recounted the stresses of working while pregnant. “You have to really advocate for yourself,” she remarked when remembering how her coworkers expected her to constantly move and exert herself which caused her to feel a tightness in her stomach and stress over the health of her unborn child. With my degree in medicine, I hope to join organizations such as the American Medical Association to improve institutional support for women physicians, especially concerning the lack of paid family leave in the US. Such disparities have made it difficult for working parents, especially physician mothers, to advance their careers in medicine, forced to miss training, fellowships, or compromise the care of their own children. However, I believe that parenthood should not be a setback for mothers (and fathers) in healthcare, and addressing the hardships female physicians must face is a necessary step to improve equity in medicine. Moreover, the study of biological sciences will fulfill my pursuit of exploring the frontier of genetics and the human body which will aid me in my desire to become a reproductive endocrinologist. Fertility is a growing field of interest due to increased cases of infertility in young women; however, there has been little understanding of its cause. Unfortunately, stigmas against infertility and ideas of “otherhood”, or feelings of inadequacy in infertile women, are pervasive. At Baylor College of Medicine, I am currently working under Dr. Stephanie Pangas to research causes of infertility that impact 1 in 5 women of reproductive age. We are investigating how the loss of Ube2i, an essential gene in the development of oocytes impacts fertility in mice. This research could lead to improved oocyte development, offering possible strategies for improving reproductive outcomes in women, and spark additional advancements in treating women’s health challenges. I am fortunate enough to have worked with many female mentors which has inspired me to become a future leader dedicated to equity in health and the medical workplace. Women’s health rights are human rights, and I am interested in studying the science and social factors that surround the goal of equitable healthcare as well as decreasing the stigmas surrounding reproduction. Achieving these goals requires interdisciplinary skills from STEM and social science fields. My experience in anthropology and pathology has allowed me to explore all factors that can impact women's health. Instead of hiding the less glamorous aspects of my life, I am prepared to work to understand the uncomfortable and encourage other women to take initiative with their health.

Huddling in the dark music room, we fifty tween girls stared uncomfortably at the ancient CRT in the center of the room. The wonders of puberty were represented through a script of intricate metaphors and undetailed but colorful diagrams, often oversimplistic as is the nature of most curriculums towards women's health. After, the teachers ushered us out of the room (across the gym where the boys were playing dodgeball) with a “ask your parents if you have questions.” My subsequent uncertainty in my body led me to smuggle hygienic products around like a criminal, feeling ashamed of my body. This early mindset of shame encouraged ignorance of my own health until I grew older and became inspired by increased women empowerment and desired to pursue studies in STEAM to further my understanding of biology. Working with Dr. Eugenia Georges, I had the opportunity to write an anthropological report on my interviews with multiple physician moms to understand the challenges and achievements that they have experienced. One notable woman recounted the stresses of working while pregnant. “You have to really advocate for yourself,” she remarked when remembering how her coworkers expected her to constantly move and exert herself which caused her to feel a tightness in her stomach and stress over the health of her unborn child. With my degree in medicine, I hope to join organizations such as the American Medical Association to improve institutional support for women physicians, especially concerning the lack of paid family leave in the US. Such disparities have made it difficult for working parents, especially physician mothers, to advance their careers in medicine, forced to miss training, fellowships, or compromise the care of their own children. However, I believe that parenthood should not be a setback for mothers (and fathers) in healthcare and addressing the hardships female physicians must face is a necessary step to improve equity in medicine. Moreover, the study of biological sciences will fulfill my pursuit of exploring the frontier of genetics and the human body which will aid me in my desire to become a reproductive endocrinologist. Fertility is a growing field of interest due to increased cases of infertility in young women; however, there has been little understanding of its cause. Unfortunately, stigmas against infertility and ideas of “otherhood”, or feelings of inadequacy in infertile women, are pervasive. At Baylor College of Medicine, I am currently working under Dr. Stephanie Pangas to research causes of infertility that impact 1 in 5 women of reproductive age. We are investigating how the loss of Ube2i, an essential gene in the development of oocytes impacts fertility in mice. This research could lead to improved oocyte development, offering possible strategies for improving reproductive outcomes in women, and spark additional advancements in treating women’s health challenges. I am fortunate enough to have worked with many female mentors which has inspired me to become a future leader dedicated to equity in health and the medical workplace. Women’s health rights are human rights, and I am interested in studying STEAM to understand the science and social factors that surround healthcare as well as decrease the stigmas surrounding reproduction. I believe that there needs to be an increased movement to develop an understanding of reproductive health, so women can understand their bodies and feel empowered to make their own decisions for any treatment. Instead of hiding the less glamorous aspects of my life, I am prepared to work to understand the uncomfortable and encourage other women to be educated about their health and feel supported by their workplace so other women can be leaders in medicine.

Huddling in the dark music room, we fifty tween girls stared uncomfortably at the ancient CRT in the center of the room. The wonders of puberty were represented through a script of intricate metaphor and undetailed but colorful diagrams, often oversimplistic as is the nature of most Texas curriculums towards women's health. After, the teachers ushered us out of the room (across the gym where the boys were playing dodgeball) with a “ask your parents if you have questions.” My subsequent uncertainty in my body led me to smuggle hygienic products around like a criminal, feeling ashamed of my body. This early mindset of fear of others knowing about what was happening to my body encouraged my ignorance of my own health until I grew older and became inspired by increased women empowerment. Working with Dr. Eugenia Georges, I had the opportunity to write an anthropological report over my interviews with multiple Houstonian physician moms to understand the challenges and achievements that they have experienced. One notable woman recounted the stresses of working while pregnant. “You have to really advocate for yourself,” she remarked when remembering how her coworkers expected her to constantly move and exert herself which caused her to feel a tightness in her stomach and stress over the health of her unborn child. With my degree in medicine, I hope to join organizations such as the American Medical Association to improve institutional support for women physicians, especially concerning the lack of paid family leave in the US. Such disparities have made it difficult for working parents, especially physician mothers, to advance their careers in medicine, forced to miss training, fellowships, or compromise the care of their own children. However, I believe that parenthood should not be a setback for mothers (and fathers) in healthcare and addressing the hardships female physicians must face is a necessary step to improve equity in medicine. Moreover, the study of biological sciences will fulfill my pursuit of exploring the frontier of genetics and the human body which will aid me in my desire to become a reproductive endocrinologist. Fertility is a growing field of interest due to increased cases of infertility in young women; however, there has been little understanding in its cause. Unfortunately, stigmas against infertility and ideas of “otherhood”, or feelings of inadequacy in infertile women, are pervasive. At Baylor College of Medicine, I am currently working under Dr. Stephanie Pangas to research causes on infertility which impact 1 in 5 women of reproductive age. We are investigating how loss of Ube2i, an essential gene in the development of oocytes impacts fertility in mice. This research could lead to improved oocyte development, offering possible strategies for improving reproductive outcomes in women, and spark additional advancements in treating women’s health challenges. I am fortunate enough to have worked with many female mentors which has inspired me to become a future leader dedicated to equity in health and the medical workplace. Women’s health rights are human rights, and I am interested in studying the science and social factors that surround the goal of equitable healthcare as well as decreasing the stigmas surrounding reproduction. I believe that there needs to be an increased movement to develop an understanding of reproductive health, so women can understand their bodies and feel empowered to make their own decisions for any treatment. Instead of hiding the less glamorous aspects of my life, I am prepared to work to understand the uncomfortable and encourage other women to be educated about their health and feel supported by their workplace so other women can be leaders in medicine.

Huddling in the dark music room, we fifty tween girls stared uncomfortably at the ancient CRT in the center of the room. The wonders of puberty were represented through a script of intricate metaphor and undetailed but colorful diagrams, often oversimplistic as is the nature of most Texas curriculums towards women's health. After, the teachers ushered us out of the room (across the gym where the boys were playing dodgeball) with a “ask your parents if you have questions.” My subsequent uncertainty in my body led me to smuggle hygienic products around like a criminal, feeling ashamed of my body. This early mindset of fear of others knowing about what was happening to my body encouraged my ignorance of my own health until I grew older and became inspired by increased women empowerment. Working with Dr. Eugenia Georges, I had the opportunity to volunteer and work with multiple physician moms to understand the challenges and achievements that they have experienced. One notable woman recounted the stresses of working while pregnant. “You have to really advocate for yourself,” she remarked when remembering how her coworkers expected her to constantly move and exert herself which caused her to feel a tightness in her stomach and stress over the health of her unborn child. With my degree in medicine, I hope to join organizations such as the American Medical Association to improve institutional support for women physicians, especially concerning the lack of paid family leave in the US. Such disparities have made it difficult for working parents, especially physician mothers, to advance their careers in medicine, forced to miss training, fellowships, or compromise the care of their own children. However, I believe that parenthood should not be a setback for mothers (and fathers) in healthcare and addressing the hardships female physicians must face is a necessary step to improve equity in medicine. Moreover, the study of biological sciences will fulfill my pursuit of exploring the frontier of genetics and the human body which will aid me in my desire to become a reproductive endocrinologist. Fertility is a growing field of interest due to increased cases of infertility in young women; however, there has been little understanding of its cause. Unfortunately, stigmas against infertility and ideas of “otherhood”, or feelings of inadequacy in infertile women, are pervasive. At Baylor College of Medicine, I am currently working under Dr. Stephanie Pangas to research causes of infertility that impact 1 in 5 women of reproductive age. We are investigating how the loss of Ube2i, an essential gene in the development of oocytes impacts fertility in mice. This research could lead to improved oocyte development, offering possible strategies for improving reproductive outcomes in women, and spark additional advancements in treating women’s health challenges. I am fortunate enough to have worked with many female mentors which has inspired me to pursue my passion for science. Women’s health rights are human rights, and I am interested in studying medicine and the social factors that surround the goal of equitable healthcare as well as decreasing the stigmas surrounding reproduction. I believe that there needs to be an increased movement to develop an understanding of reproductive health, so women can understand their bodies and feel empowered to make their own decisions for any treatment. Instead of hiding the less glamorous aspects of my life, I am prepared to work to understand the uncomfortable and encourage other women to be educated about their health and feel supported by their workplace so they can be leaders in medicine.

Huddling in the dark music room, we fifty tween girls stared uncomfortably at the ancient CRT in the center of the room. The wonders of puberty were represented through a script of intricate metaphor and undetailed but colorful diagrams, often oversimplistic as is the nature of most Texas curriculums towards women's health. After, the teachers ushered us out of the room (across the gym where the boys were playing dodgeball) with a “ask your parents if you have questions.” My subsequent uncertainty in my body led me to smuggle hygienic products around like a criminal, feeling ashamed of my body. This early mindset of fear of others knowing about what was happening to my body encouraged my ignorance of my own health until I grew older and became inspired by increased women empowerment. Working with Dr. Eugenia Georges, I had the opportunity to write an anthropological report over my interviews with multiple Houstonian physician moms to understand the challenges and achievements that they have experienced. One notable woman recounted the stresses of working while pregnant. “You have to really advocate for yourself,” she remarked when remembering how her coworkers expected her to constantly move and exert herself which caused her to feel a tightness in her stomach and stress over the health of her unborn child. With my degree in medicine, I hope to join organizations such as the American Medical Association to improve institutional support for women physicians, especially concerning the lack of paid family leave in the US. Such disparities have made it difficult for working parents, especially physician mothers, to advance their careers in medicine, forced to miss training, fellowships, or compromise the care of their own children. However, I believe that parenthood should not be a setback for mothers (and fathers) in healthcare and addressing the hardships female physicians must face is a necessary step to improve equity in medicine. Moreover, the study of biological sciences will fulfill my pursuit of exploring the frontier of genetics and the human body which will aid me in my desire to become a reproductive endocrinologist. Fertility is a growing field of interest due to increased cases of infertility in young women; however, there has been little understanding in its cause. Unfortunately, stigmas against infertility and ideas of “otherhood”, or feelings of inadequacy in infertile women, are pervasive. At Baylor College of Medicine, I am currently working under Dr. Stephanie Pangas to research causes on infertility which impact 1 in 5 women of reproductive age. We are investigating how loss of Ube2i, an essential gene in the development of oocytes impacts fertility in mice. This research could lead to improved oocyte development, offering possible strategies for improving reproductive outcomes in women, and spark additional advancements in treating women’s health challenges. I am fortunate enough to have worked with many female mentors which has inspired me to become a future leader dedicated to equity in health and the medical workplace. Women’s health rights are human rights, and I am interested in studying the science and social factors that surround the goal of equitable healthcare as well as decreasing the stigmas surrounding reproduction. I believe that there needs to be an increased movement to develop an understanding of reproductive health, so women can understand their bodies and feel empowered to make their own decisions for any treatment. Instead of hiding the less glamorous aspects of my life, I am prepared to work to understand the uncomfortable and encourage other women to be educated about their health and feel supported by their workplace so other women can be leaders in medicine.

Women’s health rights are human rights, and my future self will explore the science and social factors that surround women's healthcare as well as decreasing the stigmas surrounding reproduction and infertility.

I used to have an addiction to the video game Animal Crossing where I moved to a remote island, earned millions of bells, and built a community of animal villagers. I was content in my virtual world, so I did not have to focus on my less-than-stellar life with my grandfather’s passing or my parent’s divorce. My mother taught ESL students at a small, run-down building as her part-time job. One day, my mom asked me to see her new workplace where she taught, and I became fascinated by the lives of her students. One man, Mr. Clemente, immigrated to the U.S. from Venezuela to give his family a new home. He stated that his country was not the same Venezuela as he had known while growing up, so he had to take control of his and his family’s life to pursue more opportunities and security somewhere else. After hearing his story, I was embarrassed reflecting on my own life and resentment for not being “chosen” to do something great. I realized that I am privileged enough to have countless opportunities to achieve any dream that I have or any purpose I adopt. As I look back on my dreams of being swept away from my reality to face fun, fake problems, I recognized that these thoughts were to escape from my own struggles in an attempt to avoid addressing frighting, real problems. Today, I find that I do not wish to hop galaxies away to evade my life. I learned that to live is to connect. I want to spend time with my mom and sister to show love to my family. I want to swim to encourage my friends to push harder and be faster. I want to teach ESL students so I can learn more about others and create connections that I would have never made before. I want to excel in school to achieve my dream of becoming a physician so I can help others feel assured with themselves. Doing more is not waiting for a spaceship to pick me up or waiting to be given a magic wand. It is deciding that I am the chosen one of my own life. I am exceptional because I have decided to be. I will no longer wait for purpose to strike down on me because I will actively pursue any and all chances to achieve my dreams. I am no longer waiting to embark on a grand adventure; I am starting my own. The Lauren Czebatul Scholarship will allow me to vigorously strive for my ambitions that I was previously too unmotivated to work for. I no longer want to escape into a fantasy but take charge of my own reality. I will not wait to receive a ticket to an island. I will not wait for purpose to strike because I will actively pursue all chances to better my future. My mother works two jobs and receives less than $60,000 a year to pay for household expenses, so she has limited funds to pay for my education and provide for my sister and me. I have a strained relationship with my father, so I am unaware of his income and possible financial contributions to my future, but I do know that he has to support a family of five people with his income. However, I will not let these circumstances discourage me from maintaining my ambition to become a physician and achieve my dreams. I no longer wait to embark on an adventure; I start my own.

Huddling in the dark music room, we fifty tween girls stared uncomfortably at the ancient CRT in the center of the room. The wonders of puberty were represented through a script of intricate metaphor and undetailed but colorful diagrams. After, the teachers ushered us out of the room (across the gym where the boys were playing dodgeball) with a “ask your parents if you have questions.” My subsequent uncertainty in my body led me to smuggle hygienic products around like a criminal, feeling ashamed of my body. This early mindset of fear of others knowing about what was happening to my body encouraged my ignorance of my own health. In many instances, I am taught to be complacent, to mold into the passive Asian woman stereotype, so I did not ask questions about issues and let snide comments influence my decisions. But now I realize that such a culture can limit a woman’s confidence in her body and discourages her from taking control of her own health. Now, I force myself to learn and explore so that I am not ashamed about talking and learning about my health. I am fortunate enough to have worked with many female mentors throughout my academic career. Under Dr. Eugenia Georges, I had the opportunity to write an anthropological report over my interviews with physician moms to understand the challenges and achievements that they have experienced. One notable woman remarked, "You have to really advocate for yourself,” when remembering how her coworkers expected her to constantly move and exert herself which caused her to feel a tightness in her stomach and stress over the health of her unborn child. With my degree in medicine, I hope to improve institutional support for women physicians, especially concerning the lack of paid family leave in the US. Such disparities have made it difficult for working parents, especially physician mothers, to advance their careers in medicine, often forced to miss training, fellowships, or research, or compromise the care of their own children. However, I believe that parenthood should not be a setback for mothers in healthcare and addressing the hardships female physicians must face is a necessary step to improve equity in medicine. Moreover, the study of biological sciences will fulfill my pursuit of exploring the frontier of reproduction which will aid me in my desire to become a reproductive endocrinologist. Fertility is a growing field of interest due to increased cases of infertility in young women; however, there has been little understanding in its cause. Unfortunately, stigmas against infertility and ideas of “otherhood”, or feelings of inadequacy in infertile women, are pervasive. At Baylor College of Medicine, I am currently working under Dr. Stephanie Pangas to research how loss of Ube2i, an essential gene in the development of oocytes impacts fertility in mice. This research could lead to improved oocyte development, offering possible strategies for improving reproductive outcomes in women, and spark additional advancements in treating women’s health challenges. Women’s health rights are human rights, and I am interested in studying the science and social factors that surround the goal of equitable healthcare as well as decreasing the stigmas surrounding reproduction. I believe that there needs to be an increased movement to develop an understanding of reproductive health, so women can understand their bodies and feel empowered to make their own decisions for any treatment. Instead of hiding the less glamorous aspects of my life, I am prepared to work to understand the uncomfortable and encourage other women to take initiative with their health.

Huddling in the dark music room, we fifty tween girls stared uncomfortably at the ancient CRT in the center of the room. The wonders of puberty were represented through a script of intricate metaphor and undetailed but colorful diagrams. After, the teachers ushered us out of the room (across the gym where the boys were playing dodgeball) with a “ask your parents if you have questions.” My subsequent uncertainty in my body led me to smuggle hygienic products around like a criminal, feeling ashamed of my body. This early mindset of fear of others knowing about what was happening to my body encouraged my ignorance of my own health. In many instances, I am taught to be complacent, to mold into the passive Asian woman stereotype, so I did not ask questions about issues and let snide comments influence my decisions. But now I realize that such a culture can limit a woman’s confidence in her body and discourages her from taking control of her own health. Now, I force myself to learn and explore so that I am not ashamed about talking and learning about my health. I am fortunate enough to have worked with many female mentors throughout my academic career. Under Dr. Eugenia Georges, I had the opportunity to write an anthropological report over my interviews with physician moms to understand the challenges and achievements that they have experienced. One notable woman remarked, "You have to really advocate for yourself,” when remembering how her coworkers expected her to constantly move and exert herself which caused her to feel a tightness in her stomach and stress over the health of her unborn child. With my degree in medicine, I hope to improve institutional support for women physicians, especially concerning the lack of paid family leave in the US. Such disparities have made it difficult for working parents, especially physician mothers, to advance their careers in medicine, often forced to miss training, fellowships, or research, or compromise the care of their own children. However, I believe that parenthood should not be a setback for mothers in healthcare and addressing the hardships female physicians must face is a necessary step to improve equity in medicine. Moreover, the study of biological sciences will fulfill my pursuit of exploring the frontier of reproduction which will aid me in my desire to become a reproductive endocrinologist. Fertility is a growing field of interest due to increased cases of infertility in young women; however, there has been little understanding in its cause. Unfortunately, stigmas against infertility and ideas of “otherhood”, or feelings of inadequacy in infertile women, are pervasive. At Baylor College of Medicine, I am currently working under Dr. Stephanie Pangas to research how loss of Ube2i, an essential gene in the development of oocytes impacts fertility in mice. This research could lead to improved oocyte development, offering possible strategies for improving reproductive outcomes in women, and spark additional advancements in treating women’s health challenges. Women’s health rights are human rights, and I am interested in studying the science and social factors that surround the goal of equitable healthcare as well as decreasing the stigmas surrounding reproduction. I believe that there needs to be an increased movement to develop an understanding of reproductive health, so women can understand their bodies and feel empowered to make their own decisions for any treatment. Instead of hiding the less glamorous aspects of my life, I am prepared to work to understand the uncomfortable and encourage other women to take initiative with their health.

Huddling in the dark music room, we fifty tween girls stared uncomfortably at the ancient CRT in the center of the room. The wonders of puberty were represented through a script of intricate metaphor and undetailed but colorful diagrams. After, the teachers ushered us out of the room (across the gym where the boys were playing dodgeball) with a “ask your parents if you have questions.” My subsequent uncertainty in my body led me to smuggle hygienic products around like a criminal, feeling ashamed of my body. This early mindset of fear of others knowing about what was happening to my body encouraged my ignorance of my own health. In many instances, I am taught to be complacent, to mold into the passive Asian woman stereotype, so I did not ask questions about issues and let snide comments influence my decisions. But now I realize that such a culture can limit a woman’s confidence in her body and discourages her from taking control of her own health. Now, I force myself to learn and explore so that I am not ashamed about talking and learning about my health. I am fortunate enough to have worked with many female mentors throughout my academic career. Under Dr. Eugenia Georges, I had the opportunity to write an anthropological report over my interviews with physician moms to understand the challenges and achievements that they have experienced. One notable woman remarked, "You have to really advocate for yourself,” when remembering how her coworkers expected her to constantly move and exert herself which caused her to feel a tightness in her stomach and stress over the health of her unborn child. With my degree in medicine, I hope to improve institutional support for women physicians, especially concerning the lack of paid family leave in the US. Such disparities have made it difficult for working parents, especially physician mothers, to advance their careers in medicine, often forced to miss training, fellowships, or research, or compromise the care of their own children. However, I believe that parenthood should not be a setback for mothers in healthcare and addressing the hardships female physicians must face is a necessary step to improve equity in medicine. Moreover, the study of biological sciences will fulfill my pursuit of exploring the frontier of reproduction which will aid me in my desire to become a reproductive endocrinologist. Fertility is a growing field of interest due to increased cases of infertility in young women; however, there has been little understanding in its cause. Unfortunately, stigmas against infertility and ideas of “otherhood”, or feelings of inadequacy in infertile women, are pervasive. At Baylor College of Medicine, I am currently working under Dr. Stephanie Pangas to research how loss of Ube2i, an essential gene in the development of oocytes impacts fertility in mice. This research could lead to improved oocyte development, offering possible strategies for improving reproductive outcomes in women, and spark additional advancements in treating women’s health challenges. Women’s health rights are human rights, and I am interested in studying the science and social factors that surround the goal of equitable healthcare as well as decreasing the stigmas surrounding reproduction. I believe that there needs to be an increased movement to develop an understanding of reproductive health, so women can understand their bodies and feel empowered to make their own decisions for any treatment. Instead of hiding the less glamorous aspects of my life, I am prepared to work to understand the uncomfortable and encourage other women to take initiative with their health.

Huddling in the dark music room, we fifty tween girls stared uncomfortably at the ancient CRT in the center of the room. The wonders of puberty were represented through a script of intricate metaphor and undetailed but colorful diagrams. After, the teachers ushered us out of the room (across the gym where the boys were playing dodgeball) with a “ask your parents if you have questions.” My subsequent uncertainty in my body led me to smuggle hygienic products around like a criminal, feeling ashamed of my body. This early mindset of fear of others knowing about what was happening to my body encouraged my ignorance of my own health. In many instances, I am taught to be complacent, to mold into the passive Asian woman stereotype, so I did not ask questions about issues and let snide comments influence my decisions. But now I realize that such a culture can limit a woman’s confidence in her body and discourages her from taking control of her own health. Now, I force myself to learn and explore so that I am not ashamed about talking and learning about my health. I am fortunate enough to have worked with many female mentors throughout my academic career. Under Dr. Eugenia Georges, I had the opportunity to write an anthropological report over my interviews with physician moms to understand the challenges and achievements that they have experienced. One notable woman remarked, "You have to really advocate for yourself,” when remembering how her coworkers expected her to constantly move and exert herself which caused her to feel a tightness in her stomach and stress over the health of her unborn child. With my degree in medicine, I hope to improve institutional support for women physicians, especially concerning the lack of paid family leave in the US. Such disparities have made it difficult for working parents, especially physician mothers, to advance their careers in medicine, often forced to miss training, fellowships, or research, or compromise the care of their own children. However, I believe that parenthood should not be a setback for mothers in healthcare and addressing the hardships female physicians must face is a necessary step to improve equity in medicine. Moreover, the study of biological sciences will fulfill my pursuit of exploring the frontier of reproduction which will aid me in my desire to become a reproductive endocrinologist. Fertility is a growing field of interest due to increased cases of infertility in young women; however, there has been little understanding in its cause. Unfortunately, stigmas against infertility and ideas of “otherhood”, or feelings of inadequacy in infertile women, are pervasive. At Baylor College of Medicine, I am currently working under Dr. Stephanie Pangas to research how loss of Ube2i, an essential gene in the development of oocytes impacts fertility in mice. This research could lead to improved oocyte development, offering possible strategies for improving reproductive outcomes in women, and spark additional advancements in treating women’s health challenges. Women’s health rights are human rights, and I am interested in studying the science and social factors that surround the goal of equitable healthcare as well as decreasing the stigmas surrounding reproduction. I believe that there needs to be an increased movement to develop an understanding of reproductive health, so women can understand their bodies and feel empowered to make their own decisions for any treatment. Instead of hiding the less glamorous aspects of my life, I am prepared to work to understand the uncomfortable and encourage other women to take initiative with their health.

Huddling in the dark music room, we fifty tween girls stared uncomfortably at the ancient CRT in the center of the room. The wonders of puberty were represented through a script of intricate metaphor and undetailed but colorful diagrams. After, the teachers ushered us out of the room (across the gym where the boys were playing dodgeball) with a “ask your parents if you have questions.” My subsequent uncertainty in my body led me to smuggle hygienic products around like a criminal, feeling ashamed of my body. This early mindset of fear of others knowing about what was happening to my body encouraged my ignorance of my own health. In many instances, I am taught to be complacent, to mold into the passive Asian woman stereotype, so I did not ask questions about issues and let snide comments influence my decisions. But now I realize that such a culture can limit a woman’s confidence in her body and discourages her from taking control of her own health. Now, I force myself to learn and explore so that I am not ashamed about talking and learning about my health. I am fortunate enough to have worked with many female mentors throughout my academic career. Under Dr. Eugenia Georges, I had the opportunity to write an anthropological report over my interviews with physician moms to understand the challenges and achievements that they have experienced. One notable woman remarked, "You have to really advocate for yourself,” when remembering how her coworkers expected her to constantly move and exert herself which caused her to feel a tightness in her stomach and stress over the health of her unborn child. With my degree in medicine, I hope to improve institutional support for women physicians, especially concerning the lack of paid family leave in the US. Such disparities have made it difficult for working parents, especially physician mothers, to advance their careers in medicine, often forced to miss training, fellowships, or research, or compromise the care of their own children. However, I believe that parenthood should not be a setback for mothers in healthcare and addressing the hardships female physicians must face is a necessary step to improve equity in medicine. Moreover, the study of biological sciences will fulfill my pursuit of exploring the frontier of reproduction which will aid me in my desire to become a reproductive endocrinologist. Fertility is a growing field of interest due to increased cases of infertility in young women; however, there has been little understanding in its cause. Unfortunately, stigmas against infertility and ideas of “otherhood”, or feelings of inadequacy in infertile women, are pervasive. At Baylor College of Medicine, I am currently working under Dr. Stephanie Pangas to research how loss of Ube2i, an essential gene in the development of oocytes impacts fertility in mice. This research could lead to improved oocyte development, offering possible strategies for improving reproductive outcomes in women, and spark additional advancements in treating women’s health challenges. Women’s health rights are human rights, and I am interested in studying the science and social factors that surround the goal of equitable healthcare as well as decreasing the stigmas surrounding reproduction. I believe that there needs to be an increased movement to develop an understanding of reproductive health, so women can understand their bodies and feel empowered to make their own decisions for any treatment. Instead of hiding the less glamorous aspects of my life, I am prepared to work to understand the uncomfortable and encourage other women to take initiative with their health.

Huddling in the dark music room, we fifty tween girls stared uncomfortably at the ancient CRT in the center of the room. The wonders of puberty were represented through a script of intricate metaphor and undetailed but colorful diagrams. After, the teachers ushered us out of the room (across the gym where the boys were playing dodgeball) with a “ask your parents if you have questions.” My subsequent uncertainty in my body led me to smuggle hygienic products around like a criminal, feeling ashamed of my body. This early mindset of fear of others knowing about what was happening to my body encouraged my ignorance of my own health. In many instances, I am taught to be complacent, to mold into the passive Asian woman stereotype, so I did not ask questions about issues and let snide comments influence my decisions. But now I realize that such a culture can limit a woman’s confidence in her body and discourages her from taking control of her own health. Now, I force myself to learn and explore so that I am not ashamed about talking and learning about my health. I am fortunate enough to have worked with many female mentors throughout my academic career. Under Dr. Eugenia Georges, I had the opportunity to write an anthropological report over my interviews with physician moms to understand the challenges and achievements that they have experienced. One notable woman remarked, "You have to really advocate for yourself,” when remembering how her coworkers expected her to constantly move and exert herself which caused her to feel a tightness in her stomach and stress over the health of her unborn child. With my degree in medicine, I hope to improve institutional support for women physicians, especially concerning the lack of paid family leave in the US. Such disparities have made it difficult for working parents, especially physician mothers, to advance their careers in medicine, often forced to miss training, fellowships, or research, or compromise the care of their own children. However, I believe that parenthood should not be a setback for mothers in healthcare and addressing the hardships female physicians must face is a necessary step to improve equity in medicine. Moreover, the study of biological sciences will fulfill my pursuit of exploring the frontier of reproduction which will aid me in my desire to become a reproductive endocrinologist. Fertility is a growing field of interest due to increased cases of infertility in young women; however, there has been little understanding in its cause. Unfortunately, stigmas against infertility and ideas of “otherhood”, or feelings of inadequacy in infertile women, are pervasive. At Baylor College of Medicine, I am currently working under Dr. Stephanie Pangas to research how loss of Ube2i, an essential gene in the development of oocytes impacts fertility in mice. This research could lead to improved oocyte development, offering possible strategies for improving reproductive outcomes in women, and spark additional advancements in treating women’s health challenges. Women’s health rights are human rights, and I am interested in studying the science and social factors that surround the goal of equitable healthcare as well as decreasing the stigmas surrounding reproduction. I believe that there needs to be an increased movement to develop an understanding of reproductive health, so women can understand their bodies and feel empowered to make their own decisions for any treatment. Instead of hiding the less glamorous aspects of my life, I am prepared to work to understand the uncomfortable and encourage other women to take initiative with their health.

Huddling in the dark music room, we fifty tween girls stared uncomfortably at the ancient CRT in the center of the room. The wonders of puberty were represented through a script of intricate metaphor and undetailed but colorful diagrams. After, the teachers ushered us out of the room (across the gym where the boys were playing dodgeball) with a “ask your parents if you have questions.” My subsequent uncertainty in my body led me to smuggle hygienic products around like a criminal, feeling ashamed of my body. This early mindset of fear of others knowing about what was happening to my body encouraged my ignorance of my own health. In many instances, I am taught to be complacent, to mold into the passive Asian woman stereotype, so I did not ask questions about issues and let snide comments influence my decisions. But now I realize that such a culture can limit a woman’s confidence in her body and discourages her from taking control of her own health. Now, I force myself to learn and explore so that I am not ashamed about talking and learning about my health. I am fortunate enough to have worked with many female mentors throughout my academic career. Under Dr. Eugenia Georges, I had the opportunity to write an anthropological report over my interviews with physician moms to understand the challenges and achievements that they have experienced. One notable woman remarked, "You have to really advocate for yourself,” when remembering how her coworkers expected her to constantly move and exert herself which caused her to feel a tightness in her stomach and stress over the health of her unborn child. With my degree in medicine, I hope to improve institutional support for women physicians, especially concerning the lack of paid family leave in the US. Such disparities have made it difficult for working parents, especially physician mothers, to advance their careers in medicine, often forced to miss training, fellowships, or research, or compromise the care of their own children. However, I believe that parenthood should not be a setback for mothers in healthcare and addressing the hardships female physicians must face is a necessary step to improve equity in medicine. Moreover, the study of biological sciences will fulfill my pursuit of exploring the frontier of reproduction which will aid me in my desire to become a reproductive endocrinologist. Fertility is a growing field of interest due to increased cases of infertility in young women; however, there has been little understanding in its cause. Unfortunately, stigmas against infertility and ideas of “otherhood”, or feelings of inadequacy in infertile women, are pervasive. At Baylor College of Medicine, I am currently working under Dr. Stephanie Pangas to research how loss of Ube2i, an essential gene in the development of oocytes impacts fertility in mice. This research could lead to improved oocyte development, offering possible strategies for improving reproductive outcomes in women, and spark additional advancements in treating women’s health challenges. Women’s health rights are human rights, and I am interested in studying the science and social factors that surround the goal of equitable healthcare as well as decreasing the stigmas surrounding reproduction. I believe that there needs to be an increased movement to develop an understanding of reproductive health, so women can understand their bodies and feel empowered to make their own decisions for any treatment. Instead of hiding the less glamorous aspects of my life, I am prepared to work to understand the uncomfortable and encourage other women to take initiative with their health.

Huddling in the dark music room, we fifty tween girls stared uncomfortably at the ancient CRT in the center of the room. The wonders of puberty were represented through a script of intricate metaphor and undetailed but colorful diagrams. After, the teachers ushered us out of the room (across the gym where the boys were playing dodgeball) with a “ask your parents if you have questions.” My subsequent uncertainty in my body led me to smuggle hygienic products around like a criminal, feeling ashamed of my body. This early mindset of fear of others knowing about what was happening to my body encouraged my ignorance of my own health. In many instances, I am taught to be complacent, to mold into the passive Asian woman stereotype, so I did not ask questions about issues and let snide comments influence my decisions. But now I realize that such a culture can limit a woman’s confidence in her body and discourages her from taking control of her own health. Now, I force myself to learn and explore so that I am not ashamed about talking and learning about my health. I am fortunate enough to have worked with many female mentors throughout my academic career. Under Dr. Eugenia Georges, I had the opportunity to write an anthropological report over my interviews with physician moms to understand the challenges and achievements that they have experienced. One notable woman remarked, "You have to really advocate for yourself,” when remembering how her coworkers expected her to constantly move and exert herself which caused her to feel a tightness in her stomach and stress over the health of her unborn child. With my degree in medicine, I hope to improve institutional support for women physicians, especially concerning the lack of paid family leave in the US. Such disparities have made it difficult for working parents, especially physician mothers, to advance their careers in medicine, often forced to miss training, fellowships, or research, or compromise the care of their own children. However, I believe that parenthood should not be a setback for mothers in healthcare and addressing the hardships female physicians must face is a necessary step to improve equity in medicine. Moreover, the study of biological sciences will fulfill my pursuit of exploring the frontier of reproduction which will aid me in my desire to become a reproductive endocrinologist. Fertility is a growing field of interest due to increased cases of infertility in young women; however, there has been little understanding in its cause. Unfortunately, stigmas against infertility and ideas of “otherhood”, or feelings of inadequacy in infertile women, are pervasive. At Baylor College of Medicine, I am currently working under Dr. Stephanie Pangas to research how loss of Ube2i, an essential gene in the development of oocytes impacts fertility in mice. This research could lead to improved oocyte development, offering possible strategies for improving reproductive outcomes in women, and spark additional advancements in treating women’s health challenges. Women’s health rights are human rights, and I am interested in studying the science and social factors that surround the goal of equitable healthcare as well as decreasing the stigmas surrounding reproduction. I believe that there needs to be an increased movement to develop an understanding of reproductive health, so women can understand their bodies and feel empowered to make their own decisions for any treatment. Instead of hiding the less glamorous aspects of my life, I am prepared to work to understand the uncomfortable and encourage other women to take initiative with their health.

At my prime preteen age, I quickly discovered that the closest that one could get to drawing a box with an X in the middle (☒) without picking up their pencil or overlapping lines was drawing the box with a single diagonal line. 10-year-old me did not truly understand the gravity of this venture while passing time on the toilet, but ever since that day, I have stared at the squares of doors, windowpanes, and sheets of paper, trying to solve this impossible puzzle. The box became my obsession for the next 5 years and I filled notebooks and papers with drawings of small squares, routing and re-routing paths my pencil could take. I would glare at the cinderblock pattern of the natatorium walls before my races and scribble on the backs of my lab books in attempts to scratch the itch. My sister would always amusedly peer at my drawings and ask, “Why don’t you just look it up?” and I would be equally aghast every time. Solving the box was my life’s work, comparable to hacking the Da Vinci Code, and looking up an answer would be an easy out. Before then, there was never a time where I faced an unsolvable problem such as this. While I could always ask my coach for corrections on my breastroke kick or ask my Mama to help build my LEGO tower, I decided that because I started this challenge, I was going to solve it myself. I did not come to a solution until I began volunteering in the ER room when a man was admitted after an overdose. After handling the patient’s samples in the lab, I returned to triage to see that he was lucid and upright, so I was puzzled on what would be done to treat the patient since he insisted on leaving the hospital and required no further care. I sat inspired as the ER physician was undeterred by the man’s lack of cooperation and attempted to understand his history of drug use and encouraged him to seek help with his addiction. Afterward, the doctor stated that while the man’s body can recover from his overdose, the real issue is the patient’s continued habit of making unhealthy choices. Continuing, the physician emphasized the importance of not only looking at the foremost issue at hand but the surrounding factors that could worsen or influence a problem. I pondered over how one’s outside environment could influence their internal issues and such reflection expanded not only my view over the impacts of healthcare but also on how I tackled problems. My epiphany came soon after this interaction while I was looking at the floor tiles of the triage room. There was no way for me to solve my challenge by continuing to route lines in the confines of a flat square. So by expanding the drawing to depict the square as the face of a cube, I was able to draw an actual box with an “X” in the middle without picking up my pencil or overlapping lines. I finally completed my puzzle by literally thinking outside the box. My newly found 3-dimensional thinking compelled me to start facing problems holistically instead of simply straightforward. And after fulfilling my puzzle, I felt a renewed determination to continue my pursuit for clarity, for knowledge. I resolve to face any query and attack from all angles, learn all possible factors, and remain persistent in my trials. I now know that finding the answer is not the end, but the pre-requisite to a continued effort to learn and the satisfaction of giving every ounce of effort. And I am itching to analyze my future puzzles through all lenses.