If I had the resources to achieve my dream, I would become a first-generation college student and microbiologist. I am currently a research assistant at the University of Texas Health Center, training under the supervision of a professor researching the Staphylococcus aureus bacteria strain. This experience has provided me with valuable hands-on laboratory skills and a deep understanding of the research process. Additionally, it has sparked my passion for microbiology and infectious diseases, further motivating me to pursue a post-doctoral position in this field. In the next ten years, I hope to contribute to groundbreaking research and make significant advancements in the understanding and treatment of bacterial infections. My fascination with Staphylococcus aureus stems from its ability to adapt and develop resistance to antibiotics, posing a significant threat to public health and patients with respiratory infections. By studying this bacteria strain, I aim to contribute to the development of innovative strategies for combating antibiotic resistance and improving patient outcomes. Ultimately, my goal is to make a meaningful impact in the field of microbiology by unraveling the complexities of bacterial behavior and finding solutions that benefit society, as well as finding ways to make healthcare more accessible to low-income individuals like myself. This scholarship will allow me the resources to have a chance at achieving a higher education, as my mother and I can not afford to pay for my undergraduate tuition. If I receive the support, this will be an opportunity for me to chase my dream of becoming a microbiologist and a first-generation college student in my family. I will be able to focus on my research and do well in school as this scholarship will allow me to obtain the tools needed to be successful in university, such as textbooks and my tuition. Growing up in a single-mother household, my childhood consisted of my mother and I sacrificing many crucial moments of my childhood in exchange for enough money to survive. She works tirelessly as a nail technician to support us on minimum wage. My mother does not make more than 200 dollars a week, because of this, I did not have a house to call my own. We have rented out one room in a house for the two of us to share since I was at the age of 3, and from time to time the rent would be too high for us to afford or the owner of the house would decide that they do not want to rent out the house anymore. We were forced to find another room to rent to avoid being homeless, this has made school participation difficult for me. I watched daily as my mother stretched her paychecks, calculating every cent to ensure that we would both be fed-- more often than not, we would never have anything left to spare. She was the very woman who taught me my multiplication table as she stirred our dinner huddled over a portable stove top on the restroom floor. Every sacrifice we made instilled resilience in the root of my identity, fueling my fire to seek change for us in the only way possible: my education. Regardless of how we could not afford stable living conditions, our resilience and hope guided me toward my dreams and aspirations today. After three years of communicating with sponsors and actively participating in my high school's National Science Honor Society, I was able to spearhead the start of "Full STEAM Ahead" in 12 low-income elementary schools mentoring over 500 young and aspiring scientists to become a voice and advocate for students like me in Alief.

My dream growing up was to share any knowledge I knew with the community around me-- I loved to spark conversation. From the fourth grade, I knew I wanted to be able to tutor low-income students like me to spark their love for STEM when I got older. Everyone told me it was impossible. I barely had the opportunity to learn STEM myself, "let alone teach it." My mother worked minimum wage, and I grew up homeless for 14 years moving from shelter to shelter, surrounded by strangers entering and exiting the doors. Growing up, I was accustomed to watching my mother stretch each paycheck to afford food for us to eat and making the sacrifice of not buying the appropriate medicine to treat her illnesses due to our tight budget. She always told me that it was more important for her to feed me rather than buy the Omeprazole she needed. Every day, we were constantly reminded of the privilege that it is to receive healthcare and treatment and that this is not accessible to some individuals--including my dear mother. No one believed that I had the privilege to afford to learn due to those circumstances. I continued to foster my dream and ask questions, building models out of almost anything I could get my hands on. I was focused on starting my mentoring program, not to prove them wrong, and not for my benefit-- but for the future of the other low-income elementary students who are being discouraged the way I was. Working to connect sponsors and students, I united my community to all work towards the same goal– young students being inspired by STEM. With consistent time and dedication, the program has managed to send out brilliant mentors to over 17 elementary schools in the community to spark inspiration in other young scientists! As a student, my biggest goal is to promote community engagement and leave a lasting positive impact on the community around me. Today, my dream is to become a pharmacist who can serve and represent the under-represented groups of individuals just like me. I am currently a research assistant at the University of Texas Health Center, training under the supervision of a professor researching the Staphylococcus aureus bacteria strain as well as a registered pharmacy tech trainee working under the supervision of a pharmacist at the Lotus Pharmacy. Volunteering there 3 days a week, this experience has provided me with not only valuable hands-on laboratory skills and a deep understanding of the research process but also an understanding of the people who seek medical help coming from a wide range of backgrounds entering and exiting the pharmacy doors. Additionally, it has sparked my passion for understanding the stories behind the people I am filling prescriptions for. Every time I fulfill my duties in the pharmacy, I take a moment to understand the impact that medicine can have on someone's life-- and that I am beyond blessed to have the opportunity to assist in their relief. In the next ten years, I hope to contribute to groundbreaking research and make significant advancements in the understanding and treatment of bacterial infections while owning my pharmacy. I look forward to continuing to suggest alternatives to customers as well as answering their basic inquiries for the time being-- until I can advance to answering all of their drug-related questions as a pharmacist to give them the best idea of how to take control of their health.

My dream growing up was to share any knowledge I knew with the community around me-- I loved to spark conversation. From the fourth grade, I knew I wanted to be able to tutor low-income students like me to spark their love for STEM when I got older. Everyone told me it was impossible. I barely had the opportunity to learn STEM myself, "let alone teach it." My mother worked minimum wage, and I grew up homeless for 14 years moving from shelter to shelter, surrounded by strangers entering and exiting the doors. Growing up, I was accustomed to watching my mother stretch each paycheck to afford food for us to eat. No one believed that I had the privilege to afford to learn due to those circumstances. I continued to foster my dream and ask questions, building models out of almost anything I could get my hands on. I was focused on starting my mentoring program, not to prove them wrong, and not for my benefit-- but for the future of the other low-income elementary students who are being discouraged the way I was. Working to connect sponsors and students, I united my community to all work towards the same goal– young students being inspired by STEM. With consistent time and dedication, the program has managed to send out brilliant mentors to over 17 elementary schools in the community to spark inspiration in other young scientists! As a student, my biggest goal is to promote community engagement and leave a lasting positive impact on the community around me. In ten years, I intend to be a post-doctoral candidate working to finish my degree. I am currently a research assistant at the University of Texas Health Center, training under the supervision of a professor researching the Staphylococcus aureus bacteria strain. This experience has provided me with valuable hands-on laboratory skills and a deep understanding of the research process. Additionally, it has sparked my passion for microbiology and infectious diseases, further motivating me to pursue a post-doctoral position in this field. In the next ten years, I hope to contribute to groundbreaking research and make significant advancements in the understanding and treatment of bacterial infections. After having my eyes opened by the ever-evolving field of research for the past three years, my motivation for gaining a deeper understanding of microbiology is fueled by my hands-on experience in the lab. I hope to be doing more research as a microbiologist in the future and leading my lab to contribute to the fascinating discoveries of biology that advance our understanding of ourselves and our surroundings. My fascination with Staphylococcus aureus stems from its ability to adapt and develop resistance to antibiotics, posing a significant threat to public health. By studying this bacteria strain, I aim to contribute to the development of innovative strategies for combating antibiotic resistance and improving patient outcomes. Ultimately, my goal is to make a meaningful impact in the field of microbiology by unraveling the complexities of bacterial behavior and finding solutions that benefit society as a whole. This scholarship will allow me to have a chance at achieving a higher education, as my mother and I can not afford to pay for my undergraduate tuition. If I receive the support, this will be an opportunity for me to chase my dream of becoming a microbiologist and a first-generation college student in my family. I will be able to focus on my research and do well in school as this scholarship will allow me to obtain the tools needed to be successful in university, such as textbooks and my tuition.

From the fourth grade, I knew I wanted to spark other students' love for STEM when I got older. Everyone, including my family, told me it was impossible. I barely had the opportunity to learn STEM myself, "let alone teach it." My mother worked minimum wage, and I grew up homeless for 14 years, moving from shelter to shelter. There was no one, except for my mother, who believed that I had the privilege to afford to learn due to those circumstances. I continued to foster my dream and cherish the opportunities where I could ask questions of my peers and professors, building models out of almost anything I could get my hands on. The time that I spent in school was golden to me; education was my saving grace for my mother and my future stability. I was focused on starting my mentoring program, not to prove them wrong and not for my benefit, but for the future of the other low-income elementary students who are being discouraged the way I was. After three years of communicating with sponsors and actively participating in my high school's National Science Honor Society, I was able to spearhead the start of "Full STEAM Ahead" in 12 low-income elementary schools. While working with these students, I began to understand that each student has a unique learning style, which impacts how they perform. I wanted to customize each mentoring experience for them by personally collaborating with each student and learning how their background and family have impacted their learning. By communicating this with their mentors, I can be sure that each student finds inspiration and growth from their sessions. Understanding how each student has different environments where their education can best thrive, the founding of "Kerr PALS," a mentoring program for underrepresented students with difficult home situations, was successful. The program aimed to provide a supportive and nurturing environment for these students, helping them overcome the challenges they face outside of school. Through regular check-ins and personalized guidance, "Kerr PALS" not only helped improve academic performance but also fostered a sense of belonging and motivation among the students. All 188 mentees in the program have shown improvement after their long-term connections were built with their understanding mentors. Today, I continue to share my story with mentees during our experiments to encourage them to embark on their academic journeys, regardless of their financial backgrounds. With all honesty, I am grateful for all of the people who told me that I did not have the potential to succeed academically because I was homeless with a single immigrant mother—their words fueled my fire to not only prove them wrong but to become a voice and advocate for students like me in my community. As I continue to learn and grow from my mentees, mentors, and mother, I hope to sow more rich seeds in my community to be the best leader I can be: one who actively represents the unrepresented groups and fervently advocates for equality and social justice.

My dream growing up was to share any knowledge I knew with the community around me-- I loved to spark conversation. From the fourth grade, I knew I wanted to be able to tutor low-income students like me to spark their love for STEM when I got older. Everyone told me it was impossible. I barely had the opportunity to learn STEM myself, "let alone teach it." My mother worked minimum wage, and I grew up homeless for 14 years moving from shelter to shelter, surrounded by strangers entering and exiting the doors. Growing up, I was accustomed to watching my mother stretch each paycheck to afford food for us to eat. No one believed that I had the privilege to afford to learn due to those circumstances. I continued to foster my dream and ask questions, building models out of almost anything I could get my hands on. I was focused on starting my mentoring program, not to prove them wrong, and not for my benefit-- but for the future of the other low-income elementary students who are being discouraged the way I was. Working to connect sponsors and students, I united my community to all work towards the same goal– young students being inspired by STEM. With consistent time and dedication, the program has managed to send out brilliant mentors to over 17 elementary schools in the community to spark inspiration in other young scientists! As a student, my biggest goal is to promote community engagement and leave a lasting positive impact on the community around me. In ten years, I intend to be a post-doctoral candidate working to finish my degree. I am currently a research assistant at the University of Texas Health Center, training under the supervision of a professor researching the Staphylococcus aureus bacteria strain. This experience has provided me with valuable hands-on laboratory skills and a deep understanding of the research process. Additionally, it has sparked my passion for microbiology and infectious diseases, further motivating me to pursue a post-doctoral position in this field. In the next ten years, I hope to contribute to groundbreaking research and make significant advancements in the understanding and treatment of bacterial infections. After having my eyes opened by the ever-evolving field of research for the past three years, my motivation for gaining a deeper understanding of microbiology is fueled by my hands-on experience in the lab. I hope to be doing more research as a microbiologist in the future and leading my lab to contribute to the fascinating discoveries of biology that advance our understanding of ourselves and our surroundings. My fascination with Staphylococcus aureus stems from its ability to adapt and develop resistance to antibiotics, posing a significant threat to public health. By studying this bacteria strain, I aim to contribute to the development of innovative strategies for combating antibiotic resistance and improving patient outcomes. Ultimately, my goal is to make a meaningful impact in the field of microbiology by unraveling the complexities of bacterial behavior and finding solutions that benefit society as a whole. This scholarship will allow me to have a chance at achieving a higher education, as my mother and I can not afford to pay for my undergraduate tuition. If I receive the support, this will be an opportunity for me to chase my dream of becoming a microbiologist and a first-generation college student in my family. I will be able to focus on my research and do well in school as this scholarship will allow me to obtain the tools needed to be successful in university, such as textbooks and my tuition.

Growing up in a single-mother household, my childhood consisted of my mother and I sacrificing many crucial moments of my childhood in exchange for enough money to survive. She works tirelessly as a nail technician to support us on minimum wage. My mother does not make more than 350 dollars a week, because of this, I did not have a house to call my own. We have rented out one room in a house for the two of us to share since I was at the age of 3, and from time to time the rent would be too high for us to afford or the owner of the house would decide that they do not want to rent out the house anymore. We were forced to find another room to rent to avoid being homeless, this has made school participation difficult for me. I watched daily as my mother stretched her paychecks, calculating every cent to ensure that we would both be fed-- more often than not, we would never have anything left to spare. Strangers entered and exited the place we called home; they fought and smoked. More than often, I would fall asleep to the sound of arguments on the other side of the wall. The owners did not give access to the kitchen, so my mother cooked in the restroom. She was the very woman who taught me my multiplication table as she stirred our dinner huddled over a portable stove top on the restroom floor. Our bed was the place my mother had always read books to me, regardless of how draining her work day had been on her body. With her frayed ponytail she had kept on for the 11 hours she worked, she would read me stories of heroes who were compassionate and patient; they never gave up on their dreams. Her frail fingers that were sore from handling objects twice her weight lightly traced every page of my book as her warm eyes reassured me that all we needed was our persistent love and hope to survive. Every sacrifice we made instilled resilience in the root of my identity, fueling my fire to seek change for us in the only way possible: my education. Regardless of how we could not afford stable living conditions, her unrelenting patient smile lit up my pathway and guided me toward my dreams and aspirations today. Understanding how each child may have different situations at home that could prevent them from participating to their full potential in school, I spearheaded the start of the PALs program in my school. For three years now, we have had over 188 low-income elementary and middle school students who are facing unstable conditions at home, such as the loss of a parent, mental health, and financial issues consulted with long-term mentors who they can trust with their conversations. Twice a week, the mentors continue to visit their students one-on-one for three hours a day to tutor and console them through their struggles. All of the students supported through this program have reported back as stronger and brighter students in their classrooms! My mother's resilience has carried well through me, as she always was my number one supporter even when I believed I could not afford an education. As I continue to learn and grow from my mentees, mentors, and mother, I hope to sow more rich seeds in my community to be the best leader I can be: one who actively represents the unrepresented groups and fervently advocates for equality and social justice.

My dream growing up was to share any knowledge I knew with the community around me-- I loved to spark conversation. From the fourth grade, I knew I wanted to be able to tutor low-income students like me to spark their love for STEM when I got older. Everyone told me it was impossible. I barely had the opportunity to learn STEM myself, "let alone teach it." My mother worked minimum wage, and I grew up homeless for 14 years moving from shelter to shelter, surrounded by strangers entering and exiting the doors. Growing up, I was accustomed to watching my mother stretch each paycheck to afford food for us to eat. No one believed that I had the privilege to afford to learn due to those circumstances. I continued to foster my dream and ask questions, building models out of almost anything I could get my hands on. I was focused on starting my mentoring program, not to prove them wrong, and not for my benefit-- but for the future of the other low-income elementary students who are being discouraged the way I was. Working to connect sponsors and students, I united my community to all work towards the same goal– young students being inspired by STEM. With consistent time and dedication, the program has managed to send out brilliant mentors to over 17 elementary schools in the community to spark inspiration in other young scientists! As a student, my biggest goal is to promote community engagement and leave a lasting positive impact on the community around me. In ten years, I intend to be a post-doctoral candidate working to finish my degree. I am currently a research assistant at the University of Texas Health Center, training under the supervision of a professor researching the Staphylococcus aureus bacteria strain. This experience has provided me with valuable hands-on laboratory skills and a deep understanding of the research process. Additionally, it has sparked my passion for microbiology and infectious diseases, further motivating me to pursue a post-doctoral position in this field. In the next ten years, I hope to contribute to groundbreaking research and make significant advancements in the understanding and treatment of bacterial infections. After having my eyes opened by the ever-evolving field of research for the past three years, my motivation for gaining a deeper understanding of microbiology is fueled by my hands-on experience in the lab. I hope to be doing more research as a microbiologist in the future and leading my lab to contribute to the fascinating discoveries of biology that advance our understanding of ourselves and our surroundings. My fascination with Staphylococcus aureus stems from its ability to adapt and develop resistance to antibiotics, posing a significant threat to public health. By studying this bacteria strain, I aim to contribute to the development of innovative strategies for combating antibiotic resistance and improving patient outcomes. Ultimately, my goal is to make a meaningful impact in the field of microbiology by unraveling the complexities of bacterial behavior and finding solutions that benefit society as a whole. This scholarship will allow me to have a chance at achieving a higher education, as my mother and I can not afford to pay for my undergraduate tuition. If I receive the support, this will be an opportunity for me to chase my dream of becoming a microbiologist and a first-generation college student in my family. I will be able to focus on my research and do well in school as this scholarship will allow me to obtain the tools needed to be successful in university, such as textbooks and my tuition.

Growing up in a single-mother household, my childhood comprised of my mother and I sacrificing many crucial moments of my childhood in exchange for enough money to survive. She works tirelessly as a nail technician to support us on minimum wage. My mother does not make more than 350 dollars a week, because of this, I did not have a house to call my own. We have rented out one room in a house for the two of us to share since I was at the age of 3, and from time to time the rent would be too high for us to afford or the owner of the house would decide that they do not want to rent out the house anymore. We were forced to find another room to rent to avoid being homeless, this has made school participation difficult for me. I watched daily as my mother stretched her paychecks, calculating every cent to ensure that we would both be fed-- more often than not, we would never have anything left to spare. Strangers entered and exited the place we called home; they fought and smoked. More than often, I would fall asleep to the sound of arguments on the other side of the wall. The owners did not give access to the kitchen, so my mother cooked in the restroom. She was the very woman who taught me my multiplication table as she stirred our dinner huddled over a portable stovetop on the restroom floor. Our bed was the place my mother had always read books to me, regardless of how draining her work day had been on her body. With her frayed ponytail she had kept on for the 11 hours she worked, she would read me stories of heroes who were compassionate and patient; they never gave up on their dreams. Her frail fingers that were sore from handling objects twice her weight lightly traced every page of my book as her warm eyes reassured me that all we needed was our persistent love and hope to survive. Every sacrifice we made instilled resilience in the root of my identity, fueling my fire to seek change for us in the only way possible: my education. Regardless of how we could not afford stable living conditions, her unrelenting patient smile lit up my pathway and guided me toward my dreams and aspirations today. Understanding how each child may have different situations at home that could prevent them from participating to their full potential in school, I spearheaded the start of the PALs program in my school. For three years now, we have had over 188 low-income elementary and middle school students who are facing unstable conditions at home, such as the loss of a parent, mental health, and financial issues consulted with long-term mentors who they can trust with their conversations. Twice a week, the mentors continue to visit their students one-on-one for three hours a day to tutor and console them through their struggles. All of the students supported through this program have reported back as stronger and brighter students in their classrooms! My mother's resilience has carried well through me, as she always was my number one supporter even when I believed I could not afford an education. As I continue to learn and grow from my mentees, mentors, and mother, I hope to sow more rich seeds in my community to be the best leader I can be: one who actively represents the unrepresented groups and fervently advocates for equality and social justice.

From the fourth grade, I knew I wanted to spark other students' love for STEM when I got older. Everyone, including my family, told me it was impossible. I barely had the opportunity to learn STEM myself, "let alone teach it." My mother worked minimum wage, and I grew up homeless for 14 years, moving from shelter to shelter. There was no one, except for my mother, who believed that I had the privilege to afford to learn due to those circumstances. I continued to foster my dream and cherish the opportunities where I could ask questions of my peers and professors, building models out of almost anything I could get my hands on. The time that I spent in school was golden to me; education was my saving grace for my mother and my future stability. I was focused on starting my mentoring program, not to prove them wrong and not for my benefit, but for the future of the other low-income elementary students who are being discouraged the way I was. After three years of communicating with sponsors and actively participating in my high school's National Science Honor Society, I was able to spearhead the start of "Full STEAM Ahead" in 12 low-income elementary schools. While working with these students, I began to understand that each student has a unique learning style, which impacts how they perform. I wanted to customize each mentoring experience for them by personally collaborating with each student and learning how their background and family have impacted their learning. By communicating this with their mentors, I can be sure that each student finds inspiration and growth from their sessions. Understanding how each student has different environments where their education can best thrive, the founding of "Kerr PALS," a mentoring program for underrepresented students with difficult home situations, was successful. The program aimed to provide a supportive and nurturing environment for these students, helping them overcome the challenges they face outside of school. Through regular check-ins and personalized guidance, "Kerr PALS" not only helped improve academic performance but also fostered a sense of belonging and motivation among the students. All 188 mentees in the program have shown improvement after their long-term connections were built with their understanding mentors. Today, I continue to share my story with mentees during our experiments to encourage them to embark on their academic journeys, regardless of their financial backgrounds. With all honesty, I am grateful for all of the people who told me that I did not have the potential to succeed academically because I was homeless with a single immigrant mother—their words fueled my fire to not only prove them wrong but to become a voice and advocate for students like me in my community. As I continue to learn and grow from my mentees, mentors, and mother, I hope to sow more rich seeds in my community to be the best leader I can be: one who actively represents the unrepresented groups and fervently advocates for equality and social justice. This scholarship will allow me to have a chance at achieving a higher education, as my mother and I can not afford to pay for my undergraduate tuition. If I receive the support, this will be an opportunity for me to chase my dream of becoming a microbiologist and a first-generation college student in my family. I will be able to focus on my research and do well in school as this scholarship will allow me to obtain the tools needed to be successful in university, such as textbooks and my tuition.

As a student who grew up in an unstable home environment, I faced homelessness for the past 14 years of my life. Interacting with the different people who come in and out of the shelters, I began to understand how each person can be dealing with their battles alone, and may not feel comfortable or have the tools to seek help. Every day, I continued to converse with the various people around me who all were trying to better their mental health, and we found that sharing our thoughts, as well as understanding that progressing is not linear can help us feel more understood. Understanding how each individual has different environments where their education can best thrive, the founding of "Kerr PALS," a mentoring program for underrepresented students with difficult home situations, was successful. The program aimed to provide a supportive and nurturing environment for these students, helping them overcome the challenges they face outside of school. Through regular check-ins and personalized guidance, "Kerr PALS" not only helped improve academic performance but also fostered a sense of belonging and motivation among the students. All 188 mentees in the program have shown improvement after their long-term connections were built with their understanding mentors. Today, I continue to carry my experiences close to my heart, from the conversations in the shelter to the mentoring experience I gained in working with students. Coming from a low-income background, I will strive to make mental health care more accessible to as many individuals as possible!

My dream growing up was to share any knowledge I knew with the community around me-- I loved to spark conversation. From the fourth grade, I knew I wanted to be able to tutor low-income students like me to spark their love for STEM when I got older. Everyone told me it was impossible. I barely had the opportunity to learn STEM myself, "let alone teach it." My mother worked minimum wage, and I grew up homeless for 14 years moving from shelter to shelter, surrounded by strangers entering and exiting the doors. Growing up, I was accustomed to watching my mother stretch each paycheck to afford food for us to eat. No one believed that I had the privilege to afford to learn due to those circumstances. I continued to foster my dream and ask questions, building models out of almost anything I could get my hands on. I was focused on starting my mentoring program, not to prove them wrong, and not for my benefit-- but for the future of the other low-income elementary students who are being discouraged the way I was. Working to connect sponsors and students, I united my community to all work towards the same goal– young students being inspired by STEM. With consistent time and dedication, the program has managed to send out brilliant mentors to over 17 elementary schools in the community to spark inspiration in other young scientists! As a student, my biggest goal is to promote community engagement and leave a lasting positive impact on the community around me. In ten years, I intend to be a post-doctoral candidate working to finish my degree. I am currently a research assistant at the University of Texas Health Center, training under the supervision of a professor researching the Staphylococcus aureus bacteria strain. This experience has provided me with valuable hands-on laboratory skills and a deep understanding of the research process. Additionally, it has sparked my passion for microbiology and infectious diseases, further motivating me to pursue a post-doctoral position in this field. In the next ten years, I hope to contribute to groundbreaking research and make significant advancements in the understanding and treatment of bacterial infections. After having my eyes opened by the ever-evolving field of research for the past three years, my motivation for gaining a deeper understanding of microbiology is fueled by my hands-on experience in the lab. I hope to be doing more research as a microbiologist in the future and leading my lab to contribute to the fascinating discoveries of biology that advance our understanding of ourselves and our surroundings. My fascination with Staphylococcus aureus stems from its ability to adapt and develop resistance to antibiotics, posing a significant threat to public health. By studying this bacteria strain, I aim to contribute to the development of innovative strategies for combating antibiotic resistance and improving patient outcomes. Ultimately, my goal is to make a meaningful impact in the field of microbiology by unraveling the complexities of bacterial behavior and finding solutions that benefit society as a whole. This scholarship will allow me to have a chance at achieving a higher education, as my mother and I can not afford to pay for my undergraduate tuition. If I receive the support, this will be an opportunity for me to chase my dream of becoming a microbiologist and a first-generation college student in my family. I will be able to focus on my research and do well in school as this scholarship will allow me to obtain the tools needed to be successful in university, such as textbooks and my tuition.

My dream growing up was to share any knowledge I knew with the community around me-- I loved to spark conversation. From the fourth grade, I knew I wanted to be able to tutor low-income students like me to spark their love for STEM when I got older. Everyone told me it was impossible. I barely had the opportunity to learn STEM myself, "let alone teach it." My mother worked minimum wage, and I grew up homeless for 14 years moving from shelter to shelter, surrounded by strangers entering and exiting the doors. Growing up, I was accustomed to watching my mother stretch each paycheck to afford food for us to eat. No one believed that I had the privilege to afford to learn due to those circumstances. I continued to foster my dream and ask questions, building models out of almost anything I could get my hands on. I was focused on starting my mentoring program, not to prove them wrong, and not for my benefit-- but for the future of the other low-income elementary students who are being discouraged the way I was. Working to connect sponsors and students, I united my community to all work towards the same goal– young students being inspired by STEM. With consistent time and dedication, the program has managed to send out brilliant mentors to over 17 elementary schools in the community to spark inspiration in other young scientists! As a student, my biggest goal is to promote community engagement and leave a lasting positive impact on the community around me. In ten years, I intend to be a post-doctoral candidate working to finish my degree. I am currently a research assistant at the University of Texas Health Center, training under the supervision of a professor researching the Staphylococcus aureus bacteria strain. This experience has provided me with valuable hands-on laboratory skills and a deep understanding of the research process. Additionally, it has sparked my passion for microbiology and infectious diseases, further motivating me to pursue a post-doctoral position in this field. In the next ten years, I hope to contribute to groundbreaking research and make significant advancements in the understanding and treatment of bacterial infections. After having my eyes opened by the ever-evolving field of research for the past three years, my motivation for gaining a deeper understanding of microbiology is fueled by my hands-on experience in the lab. I hope to be doing more research as a microbiologist in the future and leading my lab to contribute to the fascinating discoveries of biology that advance our understanding of ourselves and our surroundings. My fascination with Staphylococcus aureus stems from its ability to adapt and develop resistance to antibiotics, posing a significant threat to public health. By studying this bacteria strain, I aim to contribute to the development of innovative strategies for combating antibiotic resistance and improving patient outcomes. Ultimately, my goal is to make a meaningful impact in the field of microbiology by unraveling the complexities of bacterial behavior and finding solutions that benefit society as a whole. This scholarship will allow me to have a chance at achieving a higher education, as my mother and I can not afford to pay for my undergraduate tuition. If I receive the support, this will be an opportunity for me to chase my dream of becoming a microbiologist and a first-generation college student in my family. I will be able to focus on my research and do well in school as this scholarship will allow me to obtain the tools needed to be successful in university, such as textbooks and my tuition.