About me
Hello! I’m a senior graduating from Farmington High School, CT in Jun 2026. I'm a multi-faceted, inquisitive student and connector of communities. Whether I’m in the lab conducting medical research, building robots, leading a debate, coxing a rowing team, or writing music, I try to bring energy and purpose to everything I do. Volunteering in hospitals, retirement homes, and leading cancer fundraising teams have strengthened my passion for medicine and deepened my desire to care for others. Inspired by many compassionate minds I encountered along the way, I hope to become a physician who not only treats illness but also listens, understands, and builds genuine connections with patients.
Education & Honors
Farmington High School, Connecticut, 2022-2026
GPA 98.98 on a 100 scale
SAT 790 Math, 770 English
12 APs: AP Chemistry (5), AP Biology (5), AP Statistics (5), AP Computer Science Principles (5), AP Computer Science Applications (4), AP Precalculus (5), AP Macroeconomics (5), AP Physics 1 (in progress), AP Calculus BC (in progress), AP Literature (in progress), AP Government & Politics (in progress), AP Microeconomics (in progress)
Honors & Awards
Connecticut Higher Education Trust Dream Big Contest Grand Prize Winner and Recipient of $20,000 scholarship, 2026
Connecticut Regional Scholastic Art and Writing Award (Gold Key), 2022
Reverend D. Lord State Parliamentary Debate Tournament 3rd Place speaker, 2023
Yale New England Region Rollin G Osterweis Debate Tournament 2nd Place speaker & 1st Place Impromptu Speaker, 2024
State NCWIT Aspirations in Computing Award, 2023, 2024, 2025
National Honor Society 2025, 2026
Spanish Honor Society 2025, 2026
Math Honor Society 2025, 2026
Science Honor Society 2025, 2026
AP Scholar with Distinction, 2025, 2026
CT Council of Language Teachers (COLT) Award for Excellence 2023
FHS Most Promising Writer Award by English Department 2023
Multiple FIRST Robotics Team Awards, 2023, 2024, 2025
Multiple FHS Crew Team Awards, 2023, 2024, 2025
Activities
Medical Lab Research Intern
University of Connecticut School of Medicine
2025 Summer
Conducted wet experiments (primarily immunohistochemistry) and data analysis with microscopic imaging to evaluate the roles of genes CXCR1 and CD13 in Paget's Disease of Bone. Completed internship at UConn Health with Dr. Marc Hansen, Professor of Medicine and Genetics and Genome Sciences, and contributed to two research papers. Co-authored Expression of CD13 and CXCR1 in Differentiating Osteoclasts from Hematopoietic Stem Cell Lines with Audrey Zhang, and as of November 16, the National High School Journal of Science has requested light revisions before publishing. Also middle authored Developmental Characterization of a Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Line with an Engineered P392L SQSTM1 Mutation by Britta Petersen and Marc Hansen.
Co-President, Team Hawks for Hope
Student Visionary Cancer Society
2023-2025
Founder of the medical advocacy group Team Hawks for Hope, partnered with the Leukemia Lymphoma Society. With a combined 16 members from 2023 and 2024, developed local sponsorships with teammate connections and raised over $16,000 in funds towards blood cancer patient care.
Varsity Coxswain & Rower
Farmington High School Rowing Club
2022-2026
Coxswain and varsity rower for 4 fall seasons and 2 springs. Strengthen multiple 8-person boats on the water and off, critiquing technique during practices. Work with coaches to develop strategic race plans, steer and motivate during regattas.
Head of Programming, FIRST Robotics
Farming High School FIRST Robotics Team
2022-2025
Led FIRST Robotics programming faction for Team 178 Second Law Enforcers, first female in the position in 8 years. Lead programming of the robot and workshops for new members. Headed program-related outreach events such as hour of code, girls who code, and FLL (FIRST Lego League). Increased female membership on the team by 30%.
Connecticut Bristol Hospital
2025 Summer
Completed 81 hours of service at Bristol Hospital, assisted with patient care, medicine delivery, appointment scheduling, and more. Worked in the cancer center, emergency department, maternity floor, and medical-surgical units.
TA (Teacher's Assistant)
AP Statistics Class
2025-2026
Invited to be a teacher's assistant for AP Statistics (20 students) with teacher Andrew DeSimone. Tutor AP Stat students after school, answer questions during class. Grade first attempt tests, give feedback on assignments, advise on the creation of class projects and teaching material.
Solo Performer and Media Director
Farmington Music Scholars in Sound
Perform at retirement homes and hospitals as a singer, have performed for 6 retirement homes, 1000+ residents. Correspond to book these performances, and develop social media page: @fmsa.scholarsinsound on Instagram.
Hospital Volunteer
Debater & Mentor
Westfield Debate Academy
2022-2024
Debated competitively with Westfield Academy. Mentored and judged middle school debaters to strengthen their case material and presentation skills. Placed in numerous regional competitions for british parliamentary style debate and impromptu speaking.
Animal Care Volunteer
Roaring Brook Nature Center, Avon, CT
2025-2026
Completed 70 hours of service at Roaring Brook Nature Center. Created balanced diets for the reptiles and mammals, cleaned and watered habitats. Toured visiting customers and children, gift shop attendant.
President, Spanish National Honor Society
Farmington High School Spanish Honor Society
2025-2026
Elected President of the Spanish Honor Society in October, lead meetings and organize volunteer opportunities for 60 members. Have since started several initiatives, including writing Spanish cards to patients at the Connecticut Children's Medical Center, partnering with the Goddard School to teach Spanish lessons and activities, and organizing a school-wide cultural celebration in partnership with the French Honor Society.
2021-2023
Upcoming
2026 Summer
Research Intern - Full Time
The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME
Genome Research
In the summer of 2025, I joined Dr. Marc Hansen's research lab at UConn Health as an intern, researching the genes CXCR1 and CD13 in the context of Paget's Disease of Bone. I became involved with this research due to my interest in oncology after my mother, grandmother, and grandfather were impacted by cancer. During these 7 weeks, I learned how to perform immunohistochemistry and use imageJ to analyze my experiment images. During my last weeks, I organized my findings into a research paper and contributed to Britta Peterson PhD student's paper. I was very inspired by how the latest genome studies could potentially revolutionize cancer treatment, especially fueled by AI. Studying the intersection of both biology and computer science is my dream career.
FIRST Robotics
I'm a veteran member of the Farmington High School Crew Club, participating since freshman year. I have coxed for our novice boat and varsity boats but currently am a second varsity rower. The intensive daily training (2.5 hours every day) and weekend races are physically and mentally demanding, however have shaped me in incredible ways. I learned invaluable leadership skills as coxswain, specifically how to use the race course, currents, and winds to my advantage, and how to motivate a team. Using my energy in the hull, I've witnessed some inspiring feats of athleticism and had the honor of coxing many winning boats. I've made unforgettable bonds with my teammates and coaches, and hope to cox in college.
Crew
Music
I have loved music since I was young. I play multiple instruments, including the piano which I've been playing for 13 years. I'm also a songwriter and singer. So far I've published one song on Apple Music called Broken Record but hope to continue producing into my college years. Beyond the mini studio in my bedroom, I am always looking to share my music. I perform both original and known pieces in local senior homes and hospitals as a part of the Farmington Music Student Association. You can check out my performances at our Instagram page that I help to curate: @fmsa.scholarsinsound. I believe strongly in the healing power of music and use it as my method of expression. It's something that brings me great joy and allows me to channel my beliefs and feelings creatively.
My Passions
I'm a FIRST robotics member of Team 178, the Second Law Enforcers, and have participated since I was a freshman. My leadership positions include Head of Field Support and Head of Programming. In addition, I'm an active contributor in many outreach programs on the team. I love to work with children, so I coached kids from kindergarten to fourth grade in FIRST Lego League, creating lesson plans and preparing them for the expo my team and I organize. I also led our girls who code initiative, as I was passionate in bringing in more females to the programming faction on my team. I most enjoy the competition season, as our team spirit is unmatched and I love the thrill of working in the pits during competition making last minute repairs and improvements. Aussie aussie aussie! Oi oi oi!
My Service
Student Visionary Cancer Society, 23-25
I am the co-president of Farmington High School's Student Vision Cancer Society (Team Hawks for Hope) 2023 & 2024. Working with my team, I spearheaded sponsorship and fundraising efforts to raise over $16,000 for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society, benefiting blood cancer patient care. We managed this by sharing our our personal stories with cancer, hoping it would touch those who have been likewise affected. Not only did it earn us support in our community, we gained sponsorships by local businesses as a result as well. During this truly inspiring experience, I found my love for advocacy and sharing real stories.
FMSA Scholars in Sound is a student organization that brings musical talents to local communities. I am the media director and also correspond to book events at senior centers and hospitals you can check out our social media @fmsa.scholarsinsound on Instagram. Beyond my technical roles, I'm also a solo vocalist on the team and have performed in 6 local senior centers and 2 hospitals. As a part of this organization I found my love for performing and connecting with others through music. There's little more special than watching the seniors dance to the song or sing along with Vienna, or Can't Take My Eyes Off You. I usually like picking classics that can bring back memories for my audience, but sometimes choose to share an original, which is always received so kindly. After performances, my favorite thing is to interview senior residents as they always have stories and wisdom to share. I've gained some valuable perspective on topics like romance, family, and change as a result of my performances.
Farmington Music Scholars in Sound, 25-26
Roaring Brook Nature Center 21-23
Growing up in an outdoors family, animals have been a familiar part of my life. I can identify caterpillars on our biking trail, and know all the snake species you may encounter on Talcott Mountain. Much of my childhood years were also spent in our backyard, watching rabbits and chipmunks steal our vegetables. My fascination with animals led me down many paths of discovery in elementary and middle school, as I was also searching to understand what I considered miracles: butterflies metamorphosizing, snakes shedding their skin, frogs breathing through their backs. To keep a close connection to nature during my busier middle school and highschool years, I worked at the Connecticut Roaring Brook Nature Center as an animal caregiver till 10th grade. My duties included constructing balanced diets for the lizards, frogs, snakes, and rabbits, as well as maintaining their habitats and providing enrichment. I formed some unforgettable bonds with the animals there.
Bristol Hospital, Summer of 2025
At Bristol Hospital, when I wasn't delivering medicine, checking in patients, or being a family guide, I was with patients. Bringing a handmade card for them, I'd spend time with those waiting for their family to come. Though it was mostly enjoyable, my patient interactions also exposed me to a harsher reality of healthcare... I often witnessed immigrant patients with language barriers struggle to communicate with doctors, even translating in Spanish for a few. I also spent a lot of time assisting elderly patients who weren't medically literate and had trouble checking in or understanding the doctors. I realized how many groups are vulnerable within the healthcare system and that patients need emotional support and help navigating medical systems. Being a doctor is not just about treating illness, it also includes easing fear and bringing a sense of hope and security to my patients.
My Inspiration
My Bolivian Indigenous heritage has been a large influence in my life. It's given me global perspective on healthcare accessibility inaccessibility, especially for underserved communities like La Paz, where my grandmother grew up. In my childhood, I was surrounded by very few people or stories this side of me could relate to. That's why I try to celebrate my people's traditions and stories to the Spanish National Honor Society as its president at my school.
Dr. Yelena Janjigian at Memorial Sloan Kettering is my role model. Her groundbreaking work in gastroinstestinal (GI) cancers captivated me when I shadowed her. Like her, I aspire to become a physician who treats patients and researches new medical treatments. She strengthened my interest in immunotherapy for cancers that help people like my mom, and I wish to find new targeted immunotherapies like her recently FDA-approved Durvalumab. She is my mirror to the future, and one day I hope to see a physician dedicated to her practice, like she is, fighting on the frontlines of cancer.
I have the privilege of being a traveler: my family and I love visiting new places. Experiencing different cultures in their country of origin gives a unique perspective and appreciation for how diverse our world is that you truly can't find anywhere else. For example, when my mother broke her ankle in Greece, we found an entirely different healthcare system than in the States, with short-staffed hospitals but also much more affordable treatment. I hope to bring the best parts of other systems to the US as I continue to travel and understand healthcare globally.
As the first female head of programming on Team 178 in many years, female representation in STEM fields is very important to me. That's why many of the people I look up to are women who revolutionized their fields. That's why I highly recommend the book The Worlds I See by Fei-Fei Li, the founding mother of artificial intelligence. It's a very powerful narrative about how she developed ImageNet, a database to train AI algorithms, as a Chinese immigrant in the US. She wrote that she followed her "North Star" which was a reminder to keep AI human-centered and never be satisfied. I really resonated with this message, and hope to follow this North Star in my future as I search for treatments that will benefit humanity.