Husky 100

I am a bi-cultural, Mexican-American, female born with a bi-lateral genetic hearing deficiency. I have faced many obstacles because of my disability, but I will continue to promote my philosophy that disabilities do not disable or define you – only one’s contributions help to define you. My Husky Experience has prepared me in becoming a Speech Language Pathologist to work with children, while also conducting scientific research focusing on discovery to contribute to the miracle of hearing.

Always carrying my Venezuelan roots and family in my heart, I am motivated by resiliency and the pursuit of justice. From tour-guiding, to mentorship and empowering student leaders, to human rights work; UW has helped inspire my passion for people and intersectional thinking. The past four years have been illuminated by so many incredible people; people who inspire, empower, and challenge me to grow every day. For them, I am endlessly grateful.

I’m passionate about understanding the intersections of healthcare and culture. At UW I’ve had many opportunities to build a patchwork of unique perspectives that have taught me to think about creating a more inclusive world. From working with lower income students via the Dream Project to creating campus-wide health and wellness initiatives via Peer Health Educators, I’ve been able to work toward creating positive impact in my communities. I’m excited to bring these perspectives to a larger scale as I move forward.

From supporting children touched by parental cancer with Camp Kesem, to aiding elderly populations and conducting retinal disease research, my time as a Husky has centered on creating opportunities for others through diverse approaches. My experiences, rooted in outreach, research, and service, have taught me how to integrate my passions into something meaningful, and I’m excited to carry this with me as I pursue my aspiration of becoming a research-oriented and community-driven physician.

For the past four years, I have had the opportunity to contribute to truly meaningful work in research, campus life, and community service. My lived experiences across the globe and my time at the University have crystalized my goal of becoming a compassionate healthcare provider working at the intersection between research, scholarship, and service.

My UW experience has been defined by my commitment to research and health care, and the empowerment of indigenous people in those fields. As an aspiring physician, I aim to shape a future where all people can trust their doctors to provide good care and healing. As a researcher, I use my space in science to lift other indigenous students toward their professional aspirations. I welcome challenges as I continue to grow as both a student and a community member.

I have a disability that has shaped my life, but it has also driven me to strive to work harder. I have always been and will always be enthusiastic to push the boundaries of society’s perceptions, to re-work the narrative on disability and uplift marginalized communities. I treasure every opportunity, relationship, experience, and challenge I have faced that has shaped me and pushed me to work toward my dreams of becoming a developmental pediatrician and empowering other students.

My experiences peer-facilitating in the UW Biology CURE (Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences) and doing research in the UW Department of Pathology foster my interest in the sciences. My volunteer and internship work with underserved communities solidify my passion toward a service-oriented career. These passions have prompted my decision to pursue professional programs in healthcare.