I’ve seen the video a million times. It starts with the eloquent sound of tires rolling through freshly paved dirt. There is a moment of peaceful silence, my bike now off the ground a couple of feet above the jump. Then, a piercing crack—the sound of my C6 spinal vertebra fragmenting—and a shriek—my lungs gasping for air as I lay on my back in complete shock. This injury, captured on my phone by my best friend, would completely transform my life. Although I was fortunate enough not to be paralyzed, I would be diagnosed with a compression fracture in addition to a rare spinal condition called Scheuermann kyphosis. I was barred from continuing tackle football, my track career, and mountain biking for the upcoming racing season. I felt lost, out of place, and awkward. These feelings would only be temporary. With the copious amounts of unexpected free time I now had, I made the best out of the situation by rechanneling my energy into my other interests. I soon found myself using Amazon and Raspberry Pi to assemble a homemade RC car. Then, after an extensive application process, I was offered a spot on my high school’s FRC robotics team. That’s when Michael, the lead mentor and software engineer for Amazon, found me. He introduced me to the world of competitive robotics and gave me the resources to explore STEM. Through our relationship, I learned the intricacies of Fusion 360, the process of CNC milling, and project management. After a year on the team, I discovered a community of children who suffer from a disability similar to Scheuermann's: cerebral palsy. Now captain and an established manager, I knew I had to leverage my knowledge of engineering and position on the team to help these kids. I immediately started working on a presentation covering an idea for my robotics team’s board of directors and mentors: GoBabyGo. The board was elated by the project. Thrilled by their response, I reached out to my team on Slack, explaining the project and what resources would be needed for the next phase. Within a day, I recruited 14 teammates eager to participate in the project. With so much enthusiasm from my peers, I organized tasks into electrical, business, and manufacturing subteams. I then streamlined communication between my teammates to allow us to succeed in building our prototype, designing a PowerPoint to send to potential sponsors, and scheduling our first meeting with a local rehabilitation center. Leading up to our first meeting with the Neurological and Physical Abilitation Center (NAPA), I knew that there was a clear need for these cars. However, nothing could have prepared me for the joy that filled my heart seeing the smiles on the faces of the kids who tested our prototype. I gathered feedback on potential adjustments and was confident in our chapter’s ability to quickly make improvements and raise the funds needed to develop a promising partnership with NAPA. Since then, I have poured my soul into this project by going door to door with a fundraising flyer, asking businesses if they would like to partner with our program. So far, I have partnered with two local businesses and secured over $1,500 from both the partnerships and social media marketing. Adversity creates opportunities. My obstacles have motivated me to make an impact on dozens of kids who use the cars we have built at the center. My vision, however, is to develop medical technology that impacts not just the kids at NAPA, but the lives of millions who are forced to live with physical disabilities.

Glucose. The source of energy for cellular respiration in organisms. Despite being one of the most basic molecules in biochemistry, this microstructure has led to my remarkably convoluted existence. Since I am a type 1 diabetic, the simple combination of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms is something I am constantly calculating, planning for, and learning to control. Managing diabetes is the art of working toward a positive solution by preparing for every possible scenario. "To stay alive, you have to plan ahead." That is what I was told on my fifth birthday, the day of my diagnosis. You must learn to prepare for the unpredictable. Mastering this skill has become my superpower. Managing my diabetes has forced me to have discipline and foresight in every aspect of my life. It is the reason I had syringes with me when my “water-proof” insulin pump died after a dunk in the pool, and why I had a doctor's note with me on a plane ride in which the TSA suspected my insulin was some sort of illicit drug. My superpower has given me the capacity to overcome these unpredictable circumstances through preparation. 288. That is approximately how many times a day I have to look at my blood glucose and run carb ratios and insulin dosages through my head, the minimum number of problems I have to solve throughout the day. I have learned to use this form of advanced analytical adjustment while driving Flatline, the name of my robotics team’s 2024 robot. As with Diabetes, I have to make split-second decisions to efficiently adjust to other robots, or even to adjust to my own robot when it malfunctions. Since my first day of being handed the sticks, I have been told that the key to being a good driver is being able to adjust when things don’t go how you expect them to. Being diabetic has prepared me perfectly for this skill. However, unlike with diabetes, I have to make these adjustments while a crowd of people are watching and while knowing my teammates are depending on me, the sole driver of the robot. Although I would consider myself to be an excellent diabetic, my experience with the disease has taught me that only endless experimentation will bring me closer to perfection. Having diabetes has given me the desire to try new methods and processes to control my disease. For example, I experiment with different varieties and quantities of foods before mountain biking races or robotics competitions to control my blood glucose most effectively. Recently, I have been able to use this process of investigation while completing a research paper titled " “How does hydration affect type 1 diabetic athletes?”. With the use of many YouTube videos and various forums, I would learn how to use academic journal search engines, adding more sections to my paper as I found more sources on JSTOR and PubMed that addressed the issue. Then, as I was starting to finish up my paper, I thought it would be valuable to have a second opinion on my work from someone more experienced in this field. I reached out to my former youth football coach, Dr. Meisamy, who was happy to assist me in this endeavor. Having published many of articles himself as an award-winning radiologist, I knew he would have the understanding and skillset to further refine my project. Adversity creates opportunities. My obstacles have motivated me to make an impact on the world of medicine and technology. Diabetes has given me the self-discipline and drive to find solutions to problems that constantly shift and change–the ability to be flexible. I have learned that difficulties are to be embraced, not feared. With open arms, I accept the challenge of conquering this seemingly elementary three-element compound, even if it takes a lifetime.

Shortly before starting high school, I had an accident on my mountain bike in which my vertebrae fractured as I slammed my upper back onto rocks. This injury would completely transform my life. Although I was fortunate enough not to be paralyzed, I was diagnosed with a compression fracture and a rare spinal condition called Scheuermann kyphosis. I was barred from continuing tackle football, my track career, and mountain biking for the upcoming racing season. I felt lost, out of place, and awkward. These feelings would only be temporary. With the copious amounts of unexpected free time I now had, I made the best out of the situation by rechanneling my energy into my other interests. After an extensive application process, I earned a spot on my high school’s FRC robotics team. That’s when Michael, the lead mentor of the team, found me. He introduced me to the world of competitive robotics and provided me with the resources to explore STEM. Through our relationship, I would learn the intricacies of software such as Fusion 360, CNC milling, and project management. After a year on the team, I discovered a community of children who suffer from a disability similar to Scheuermann's: cerebral palsy. Now team captain and an established manager, I was determined to leverage my knowledge of engineering and position to help these kids. I immediately started working on a presentation covering an idea for my robotics team’s board of directors: GoBabyGo. The board was elated by the project. Thrilled by their response, I reached out to my team, explaining the project and what resources would be needed. Within a day, I recruited 14 teammates eager to participate in the project. I organized tasks into electrical, business, and manufacturing subteams. I then streamlined communication between my teammates to allow us to succeed in building our prototype, designing a PowerPoint to send to potential sponsors, and scheduling our first meeting with a local rehabilitation center. Leading up to our first meeting with the Neurological and Physical Abilitation Center (NAPA), I knew that there was a clear need for these cars. However, nothing could have prepared me for the joy that filled my heart seeing the smiles on the faces of the kids who tested our prototype. Since then, I have poured my soul into this project by going door to door with a fundraising flyer, asking businesses if they would like to partner with our program. So far, I have secured over $1,500 from the partnerships. I have also made sure that GoBabyGo lives on through my teammates, who are keen to lead the program at my high school after I graduate. Adversity creates opportunities. My obstacles have motivated me to make an impact on dozens of kids who use the cars we have built at the center. My vision, however, is to develop medical technology that impacts not just the kids at NAPA, but the lives of millions who live with medical disabilities through a biomedical engineering degree.

I’ve seen the video a million times. It starts with the eloquent sound of tires rolling through freshly paved dirt. There is a moment of peaceful silence, my bike now off the ground a couple of feet above the jump. Then, a piercing crack—the sound of my C6 spinal vertebra fragmenting—and a shriek—my lungs gasping for air as I lay on my back in complete shock. This injury, captured on my phone by my best friend, would completely transform my life. Although I was fortunate enough not to be paralyzed, I would be diagnosed with a compression fracture in addition to a rare spinal condition called Scheuermann kyphosis. I was barred from continuing tackle football, my track career, and mountain biking for the upcoming racing season. I felt lost, out of place, and awkward. These feelings would only be temporary. With the copious amounts of unexpected free time I now had, I made the best out of the situation by rechanneling my energy into my other interests. After an extensive application process, I earned a spot on my high school’s FRC robotics team. That’s when Michael, the lead mentor of the team, found me. He introduced me to the world of competitive robotics and provided me with the resources to explore STEM. Through our relationship, I would learn the intricacies of software such as Fusion 360, CNC milling, and project management. After a year on the team, I discovered a community of children who suffer from a disability similar to Scheuermann's: cerebral palsy. Now captain and an established manager, I knew I had to leverage my knowledge of engineering and position on the team to help these kids. I immediately started working on a presentation covering an idea for my robotics team’s board of directors and mentors: GoBabyGo. The board was elated by the project. Thrilled by their response, I reached out to my team, explaining the project and what resources would be needed. Within a day, I recruited 14 teammates eager to participate in the project. I organized tasks into electrical, business, and manufacturing subteams. I then streamlined communication between my teammates to allow us to succeed in building our prototype, designing a PowerPoint to send to potential sponsors, and scheduling our first meeting with a local rehabilitation center. Leading up to our first meeting with the Neurological and Physical Abilitation Center (NAPA), I knew that there was a clear need for these cars. However, nothing could have prepared me for the joy that filled my heart seeing the smiles on the faces of the kids who tested our prototype. I gathered feedback on potential adjustments and was confident in our chapter’s ability to quickly make improvements and raise the funds needed to develop a promising partnership with NAPA. Since then, I have poured my soul into this project by going door to door with a fundraising flyer, asking businesses if they would like to partner with our program. So far, I have partnered with two local businesses and secured over $1,500 from both the partnerships and social media marketing. I have also made sure that GoBabyGo lives on through my teammates, who are keen to lead the program at my high school after I have graduated. Adversity creates opportunities. My obstacles have motivated me to make an impact on dozens of kids who use the cars we have built at the center. My vision, however, is to develop medical technology that impacts not just the kids at NAPA, but the lives of millions who are forced to live with medical disabilities through a degree in biomedical engineering.

I’ve seen the video a million times. It starts with the eloquent sound of tires rolling through freshly paved dirt. There is a moment of peaceful silence, my bike now off the ground a couple of feet above the jump. Then, a piercing crack—the sound of my C6 spinal vertebra fragmenting—and a shriek—my lungs gasping for air as I lay on my back in complete shock. This injury, captured on my phone by my best friend, would completely transform my life. Although I was fortunate enough not to be paralyzed, I would be diagnosed with a compression fracture in addition to a rare spinal condition called Scheuermann kyphosis. I was barred from continuing tackle football, my track career, and mountain biking for the upcoming racing season. I felt lost, out of place, and awkward. These feelings would only be temporary. With the copious amounts of unexpected free time I now had, I made the best out of the situation by rechanneling my energy into my other interests. After an extensive application process, I earned a spot on my high school’s FRC robotics team. That’s when Michael, the lead mentor of the team, found me. He introduced me to the world of competitive robotics and provided me with the resources to explore STEM. Through our relationship, I would learn the intricacies of software such as Fusion 360, CNC milling, and project management. After a year on the team, I discovered a community of children who suffer from a disability similar to Scheuermann's: cerebral palsy. Now captain and an established manager, I knew I had to leverage my knowledge of engineering and position on the team to help these kids. I immediately started working on a presentation covering an idea for my robotics team’s board of directors and mentors: GoBabyGo. The board was elated by the project. Thrilled by their response, I reached out to my team, explaining the project and what resources would be needed. Within a day, I recruited 14 teammates eager to participate in the project. I organized tasks into electrical, business, and manufacturing subteams. I then streamlined communication between my teammates to allow us to succeed in building our prototype, designing a PowerPoint to send to potential sponsors, and scheduling our first meeting with a local rehabilitation center. Leading up to our first meeting with the Neurological and Physical Abilitation Center (NAPA), I knew that there was a clear need for these cars. However, nothing could have prepared me for the joy that filled my heart seeing the smiles on the faces of the kids who tested our prototype. I gathered feedback on potential adjustments and was confident in our chapter’s ability to quickly make improvements and raise the funds needed to develop a promising partnership with NAPA. Since then, I have poured my soul into this project by going door to door with a fundraising flyer, asking businesses if they would like to partner with our program. So far, I have partnered with two local businesses and secured over $1,500 from both the partnerships and social media marketing. I have also made sure that GoBabyGo lives on through my teammates, who are keen to lead the program at my high school after I have graduated. Adversity creates opportunities. My obstacles have motivated me to make an impact on dozens of kids who use the cars we have built at the center. My vision, however, is to develop medical technology that impacts not just the kids at NAPA, but the lives of millions who are forced to live with medical disabilities.

Glucose. The source of energy for cellular respiration in organisms. Despite being one of the most basic molecules in biochemistry, this microstructure has led to my remarkably convoluted existence. Since I am a type 1 diabetic, this simple combination of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms is something I am constantly calculating, planning for, and learning to control. Managing diabetes is the art of working toward a positive solution by preparing for every possible scenario. Without Dr. Banting’s discovery of insulin in 1921, I likely wouldn’t have lived a year past my diagnosis of type 1 diabetes. While I am grateful for current medical technology such as insulin, I believe today’s “modern” solutions to medical problems are ripe with opportunities for improvement. Every three days, I am forced to rip off my insulin pump site, which is composed of a feeble adhesive attached to a tube more flimsy than a wet noodle, and insert a new one. Since I started wearing my first insulin pump at age five, I have been visualizing ways to improve the technologies available to me, such as my insulin pump. “To stay alive, you have to plan ahead.” That is what I was told on my fifth birthday, the day of my diagnosis. You must learn to prepare for the unpredictable. Mastering this skill has become my superpower. Managing my diabetes has forced me to have discipline and foresight in every aspect of my life. It is the reason I had syringes with me when my “water-proof” insulin pump died after a dunk in the pool, and why I had a doctor's note with me on a plane ride in which the TSA suspected my insulin was some sort of illicit drug. My superpower has given me the capacity to overcome these unpredictable circumstances through preparation. Although I would consider myself to be an excellent diabetic, my experience with the disease has taught me that only endless experimentation will bring me closer to perfection. Having diabetes has given me the desire to try new methods and processes to control my disease. Recently, I have been able to use this process of investigation in my Medical Interventions class. For my capstone project, I designed a possible cure for Small-Cell Lung Cancer. This voracity for a solution led to many sleepless nights of research and CAD redesigns. Even after the submission of my project, my tenacious spirit has led me to continue researching the disease itself and find ways to make an impact on cancer. Adversity creates opportunities. My challenges have given me the motivation to make an impact on the world of medicine and technology. Diabetes has given me the self-discipline and drive to find solutions to problems that constantly shift and change–the ability to be flexible. I have learned that challenges are to be embraced, not obstacles to be feared. With open arms, I accept the challenge of conquering this seemingly elementary three-element compound, even if it takes a lifetime.

Glucose. The source of energy for cellular respiration in organisms. These basic molecule in has led to my remarkably convoluted existence. As a Type 1 Diabetic, this combination of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms is something I am constantly calculating, planning for, and learning to control. Managing diabetes is the art of working toward a positive solution by preparing for every possible scenario. “To stay alive, you have to plan ahead.” That is what I was told on my fifth birthday, the day of my diagnosis. You must prepare for the unpredictable. I am not perfect. Although I would consider myself to be an excellent diabetic, my experience with the disease has taught me that only endless experimentation will bring me closer to perfection. Having diabetes has given me the desire to try new methods and processes to control my disease. For example, I experiment with different varieties and quantities of foods before mountain biking races or robotics competitions to control my blood glucose most effectively. Adversity creates opportunities. My challenges have given me the motivation to make an impact on the world of medicine and technology. Diabetes has given me the self-discipline and drive to find solutions to problems that constantly shift and change. My passion is solving problems and endlessly searching for knowledge. I have learned that challenges are to be embraced, not obstacles to be feared. With open arms, I accept the challenge of conquering this seemingly elementary three-element compound, even if it takes a lifetime.

Glucose. The source of energy for cellular respiration in organisms. Despite being one of the most basic molecules in biochemistry, this microstructure has led to my remarkably convoluted existence. Since I am a Type 1 Diabetic, this simple combination of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms is something I am constantly calculating, planning for, and learning to control. Managing diabetes is the art of working toward a positive solution by preparing for every possible scenario. “To stay alive, you have to plan ahead.” That is what I was told on my fifth birthday, the day of my diagnosis. You must learn to prepare for the unpredictable. Mastering this skill has become my superpower. Managing my diabetes has forced me to have discipline and foresight in every aspect of my life. It is the reason I had syringes with me when my “water-proof” insulin pump died after a dunk in the pool, and why I had a doctor's note with me on a plane ride in which the TSA suspected my insulin was some sort of illicit drug. My superpower has given me the capacity to overcome these unpredictable circumstances through preparation. 288. That is approximately how many times a day I have to look at my blood glucose and run carb ratios and insulin dosages through my head, the minimum number of problems I have to solve throughout the day. I have learned to use this form of advanced analytical adjustment while driving Flatline, the name of my robotics team’s 2024 robot. As with Diabetes, I have to make split-second decisions to efficiently adjust to other robots, or even to adjust to my own robot when it malfunctions. Since my first day of being handed the sticks, I have been told that the key to being a good driver is being able to adjust when things don’t go how you expect them to. Being diabetic has prepared me perfectly for this skill. However, unlike with diabetes, I have to make these adjustments while a crowd of people are watching and while knowing my teammates are depending on me, the sole driver of the robot. I am not perfect. Although I would consider myself to be an excellent diabetic, my experience with the disease has taught me that only endless experimentation will bring me closer to perfection. Having diabetes has given me the desire to try new methods and processes to control my disease. For example, I experiment with different varieties and quantities of foods before mountain biking races or robotics competitions to control my blood glucose most effectively. Recently, I have been able to use this process of investigation in my Medical Interventions class. For my capstone project, I designed a possible cure for Small-Cell Lung Cancer. This voracity for a solution led to many sleepless nights of research and CAD redesigns. Even after the submission of my project, my tenacious spirit has led me to continue researching the disease itself and find ways to make an impact on cancer. Adversity creates opportunities. My challenges have given me the motivation to make an impact on the world of medicine and technology. Diabetes has given me the self-discipline and drive to find solutions to problems that constantly shift and change–the ability to be flexible. My passion is solving problems and endlessly searching for knowledge. I have learned that challenges are to be embraced, not obstacles to be feared. With open arms, I accept the challenge of conquering this seemingly elementary three-element compound, even if it takes a lifetime.