I owe much of my academic and personal growth to my research PIs/professors (thank you for taking a chance on me, Dr. Beckmann, Dr. Lau, and Dr. Van Vranken), the organizations that have strengthened my passion for aiding the underserved (shout-out to By Any Means and the Free Clinic Project), the many lifelong friends/mentors, and last but certainly not least, my family. The UCI Class of 2020 is graduating in an unprecedented time of change; I look forward to the bright future and many accomplishments awaiting us Anteaters. Zot Zot Zot!!!”

Through these programs, I have met my best friends and people who I will continue to hold strong relationships with. I know that my experiences working with people, in conducting research, and in creating new projects and organizations will allow me to succeed in the path that life takes me. Hopefully, in the upcoming years you’ll see me as a practicing physician. But I could not have done this all on my own. So thank you to my wonderful professors Azizi, Aguilar-Roca, and Kadandale for having a positive impact on me. Thank you to the counselors and to BioSci Starbucks for helping me along the way. My time at UCI has shown me that it really does take a village to raise a child, and I hope to provide the same support to others.

From my experience as an undergrad researcher, I was able to get a SURP fellowship, Excellence in Research, and a stronger appreciation for biology and research! Up next in my educational journey is med school! I will forever be proud to be an anteater! Zot zot!

I plan on celebrating my graduation with my family at Din Tai Fung!

I am very grateful for all my friendships, connections I made with professors, and the guidance I received from my mentors through these four years.

With all the support I received, I will start my next journey to become a dentist at Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry Class of 2024. I am so excited for the next step as much as I was for my education at UCI because I believe that academics pave a pathway towards more professionalism, personal growth, and better future career opportunities.

I am going to celebrate my graduation from UCI and my acceptance to the dental school with my family, friends, and loved ones through a virtual watch party on June 12th (Honors Convocation Ceremony) and June 13th (commencement).

Let’s wrap this up with my favorite UCI BioSci memory:
BioSci Mentor Program meet and greets were the most enjoyable memory I have because the program allowed me to meet UCI alumni especially connecting me with the dentists. I got matched with Dr. Tom Vu through this program and he guided me a lot by sharing his experience in a dental field. I am so grateful that I could be a part of the UCI BioSci student body and received love and support from the faculty, staff, and mentors.

My last word of wisdom to you is to never be afraid to set your goals high enough to motivate you to achieve them; you only live once, so make your own life decisions to make you happy.

Zot! Zot! Zot!

It created a comfortable environment for us, which made networking with mentors more fun and enjoyable! Also, I got to match with those mentors who are working in a career path that I wish to pursue, which allowed me to get to know them more about their successful experience and potentially work with them!

I’m incredibly proud of the communities that I’ve been involved in, both on the UCI main campus and at the UCI School of Medicine. These experiences have inspired me to do and be better, have shaped me into the person that I am today, and have inspired the goals that I have for the future; and for that, I am forever grateful! Next stop: medical school!

I am going to take this gap year to invest in my community by engaging in more volunteer work and exploring the dental field as well. I plan to celebrate my graduation with family and friends who helped me get here. My favorite UCI BioSci memory has been being able to take classes I was genuinely interested such as Dr. Bowler’s fresh water lab, Dr. German’s human nutrition class, and Dr. Aguilar-Roca’s physiology lab. I have also enjoyed meeting other bio students who have such great aspirations for their future. WE DID IT!!!

The many paths that I could take with my degree would help me become one step closer to reaching my goals. The hardships and determination to get through the past four years has made me develop a good work ethic that I can apply to my future career. While I am sad that we are unable to have a traditional commencement, I will be celebrating my graduation with my family at home. Despite not walking the stage, I am glad to say that my hard-work has finally paid off and I am ready to see what’s next in my journey.

*My next step is receiving an MD from any medical school within the US.
*I plan on spending as much time with my friends and family as I can before I go back into studying for the MCAT.
*My favorite UCI BioSci memory would be having to save 6 seats in my Bio Sci 99 class for all of my friends. I was able to recognize at that moment that UCI has helped build my network not only on a professional level but a social one as well.

Thank you to my family for providing unconditional support along the way. Thank you to my classmates, who I call my friends today, for the late-night study sessions, coffee runs, and for showing me that I was not alone. Although we did not get closure from a traditional commencement, I am grateful for the memories I’ve shared with some incredible people I’ve met here at UCI, and most importantly, the fact that we are going through the COVID-19 pandemic together and still being able to celebrate this milestone. This day not only marks the end but also a new beginning in the next chapter of our lives.

With a publication in UCI’s undergraduate research magazine under the School of Medicine, 5 straight quarters with Dean’s list (dedicated to Kobe and his 5 rings), and life long friends I have made. I am shooting for the stars and becoming part of the 4% of Mexican-American doctors who practice in the U.S. I live a humble life and realize that my presence on Earth would be maximized by serving the under-served communities I grew up in. I recognize the struggles that we all endure, but I will be there to help you get back on your feet, back to full health, that way you may continue to move forward. Together we can create a better tomorrow. #SiSePuede!

I hope to continue my educational journey in medical school so if anyone needs a prescription…go to a different doctor since UCI reminded me that integrity is key. My favorite UCI BioSci memory was when I walked into my physics classroom dressed like the mysterious SwagMan for no reason. Mamba Out.

I’m excited for my future and will always be thankful to UCI for all it has taught me. Even though commencement is virtual this year, I am still looking forward to turning my tassel surrounded by my family and friends.

I had the pleasure to meet with fellow Biological Sciences peers and discuss various issues students are concerned as well as Bio Sci Professional Staff, Dean and Associate Dean. By this time next year, I hope to be applying to graduate/health professional schools. This year has been interesting and has been quite the rollercoaster with many unusual circumstances faced, such as adapting to remote classes and having a virtual commencement, I plan to celebrate my virtual graduation at home by watching with my friends and family. My favorite UCI memory would be during the summer orientation, SPOP, where I met my first friends at UCI and had the opportunity to be acquainted with the beautiful UCI campus that I would call home for the next four years. Furthermore, move-in weekend during my freshmen year, was unforgettable I vividly remember that day, pushing the carts full of essentials from the car to my dorm in Mesa Court- Mariposa and cannot believe it was four short years ago. I enjoyed my first Welcome Week- where I took part in the Guinness World Record for the Largest Game of Dodgeball and had the opportunity to join various clubs which I am still a part of today. My favorite UCI BioSci memory would have to be “Donuts with the Dean” and “BSC Winter Soiree” where I had the opportunity to chat with fellow Biological Science students, Professors, and other professionals in the field of biology and medicine. I will always remember and cherish all the experiences and memories I have made at UCI. Congratulations to the Class of 2020, WE DID IT! Remember once an anteater, always an anteater! Zot! Zot! Zot!

That being said, I think UCI Bio Sci has really prepared me for the next step in my educational journey – medical school!

Although times are tough right now, I plan to celebrate my graduation by spending time with my family and lots of food (shout out glycolysis)! My favorite UCI memory is honestly walking to and from class with my other bio sci friends – i hope i can walk with them sometime next year across that commencement stage.

Since the start of my freshman year, I immersed myself into the medical field by being involved in: a healthcare administrative internship at the hospital, research, as well as a clinical internship where I shadowed residents and observed bedside medical procedures. I am proud of the plethora of opportunities that were provided, because they did confirm the field that is the most dear to me. I am also proud of the friendships that I have formed, because it allowed me to broaden my medical inner circle of friends. I am grateful of all of the experiences that I have made at UCI, thank you!