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Yanixa Quinones Aviles

4x

Nominee

1x

Finalist

1x

Winner

Bio

I am a first-year pharmacy student at Western New England University and a PhD Candidate in Genetics at Yale University, where I study the molecular and phenotypical differences of KRAS variants in pancreatic cancer. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Puerto Rico in Aguadilla with a dual emphasis in Genetics and Biomedicine. My commitment to expanding equitable access to healthcare and education has shaped my involvement with community-centered and educational initiatives such as the HAVEN Free Clinic, the New Haven Science Fair Program, and multiple student-led mentoring initiatives that promote diversity and inclusion in STEM. Building on my experiences in research, teaching, and service, I aspire to integrate my training in genetics and pharmacy to strengthen trust with marginalized communities and advance equitable access to high-quality healthcare and education.

Education

Western New England University

Doctoral degree program (PhD, MD, JD, etc.)
2025 - 2029
  • Majors:
    • Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration

Yale University

Doctoral degree program (PhD, MD, JD, etc.)
2018 - 2026
  • Majors:
    • Genetics

Yale University

Master's degree program
2018 - 2021
  • Majors:
    • Genetics

University of Puerto Rico-Aguadilla

Bachelor's degree program
2014 - 2018
  • Majors:
    • Biology, General

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Doctoral degree program (PhD, MD, JD, etc.)

  • Graduate schools of interest:

  • Transfer schools of interest:

  • Majors of interest:

    • Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration
    • Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other
  • Not planning to go to medical school

    • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Pharmaceuticals

    • Dream career goals:

      Serve as a pharmacist, researcher, advocate, mentor, and educator.

    • Bilingual Learning Coach

      SUNY Empire State University
      2025 – Present1 year

    • Graduate Writing Lab Fellow

      Yale Poorvu Center for Teaching and Learning
      2021 – Present5 years

    • Lumiere Research Scholar Program Mentor

      Lumiere Education
      2023 – 2023

    • Chair of Engagement

      Yale BBS Diversity and Inclusion Collective
      2022 – 20242 years

    • Peer Orientation Mentor (POM)

      Office for Graduate Student Development & Diversity at Yale University
      2020 – 2020

    Research

    • Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other

      Yale University — PhD Researcher
      2019 – 2026

    • Genetics

      University of Puerto Rico in Aguadilla — PR-LSAMP Undergraduate Researcher
      2017 – 2018

    • Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology

      University of Puerto Rico in Aguadilla — PR-LSAMP Undergraduate Researcher
      2016 – 2017

    • Botany/Plant Biology

      Brown University — Leadership Alliance SR-EIP Undergraduate Intern
      2017 – 2017

    Public services

    • Volunteering

      American Pharmacists Association-Academy of Student Pharmacists (APhA-ASP) Western New England University Chapter — Operation OTC Medicine Safety
      2025 – Present

    • Volunteering

      HAVEN Free Clinic — Spanish Interpreter
      2018 – 2022

    • Advocacy

      Yale Graduate Student Assembly (GSA) — Genetics Department Representative
      2020 – 2022

    • Volunteering

      Medicine, Education, and Development for Low Income Families Everywhere (MEDLIFE) — MEDLIFE Mobile Clinic Volunteer
      2016 – 2016

    • Volunteering

      American Red Cross Puerto Rico Chapter at the University of Puerto Rico in Aguadilla — Secretary
      2016 – 2017

    • Volunteering

      Medicine, Education, and Development for Low Income Families Everywhere (MEDLIFE) Chapter of the University of Puerto Rico in Aguadilla — Fundraising Officer
      2016 – 2017

    • Volunteering

      American Red Cross Puerto Rico Chapter at the University of Puerto Rico in Aguadilla — Vice-President
      2017 – 2018

    • Volunteering

      Medicine, Education, and Development for Low Income Families Everywhere (MEDLIFE) Chapter of the University of Puerto Rico in Aguadilla — President
      2017 – 2018

    • Volunteering

      Yale Society of Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics & Native Americans in Science (YSACNAS) Chapter — Outreach Committee Chair
      2019 – 2020

    Future Interests

    Advocacy

    Volunteering

    Philanthropy