Since I started my time at OSU, I have grown in many ways. I have developed stronger global awareness, explored the realm of original inquiry, enriched myself academically, assumed leadership roles, and engaged in service. The past two years have been extremely fruitful; I could not be more grateful for the experiences that Ohio State has provided me.
I have strengthened my global awareness by becoming heavily involved in cultural organizations and events. I found my family away from home in the Pilipino Student Association, the Filipino cultural organization on campus. I attend all general body meetings, our annual culture night (Barrio), and even traveled with members to a cultural conference in Illinois entitled FACT (Filipino Americans Coming Together) to learn more about my cultural identity. Having grown up in a predominantly white community, I was finally able to accept myself for who I was within the past two years with the support of people in this organization. I have become heavily involved in the APIDA community at OSU and formed connections with others who share similar experiences. I plan to stay involved and attend cultural events such as One Asian Nation and the Taste of OSU when I am available. I have learned during my time at Ohio State that I am very passionate about diversity, equity, and inclusion as a person of color myself and want to make it a priority for others to feel comfortable in their own skin.
I have explored the realm of creative inquiry through my lab classes and by joining a scientific research lab under the direction of Dr. Aaron Goldman, Ph.D. at the end of my first year. The focus of the lab is to discover the genetic pathway that governs heart regeneration in Zebrafish. It is the hope that one day, the things that are discovered in the lab can be used in translational medicine for human heart health. So far, I have been trained to inject DNA into zebrafish embryos, analyzed in-depth scientific research articles and presented them at lab meetings, analyzed and performed PCR tests, used fluorescence microscopy to screen DNA in fish, and much more. I plan to participate in this lab for the rest of my time at Ohio State and will be doing more work with the team part-time this summer.
In terms of academic enrichment, I believe that the courses I have taken to this date and those that I plan to take in the future align well with my future aspirations of becoming a physician. I have enrolled in courses such as anatomy and physiology for my biology major and Drug Use in American Culture for my 2nd writing credit that are useful in preparing me for medical school. I also picked up a business minor as I am interested in the administrative side of healthcare and such courses would be valuable for understanding healthcare administration in the future. My choices in coursework show an overall commitment to my chosen career path and will, if not already, develop me into a more well-rounded individual.
I am involved extensively in leadership at Ohio State currently and will continue to be involved until I graduate. I joined the Phi Delta Epsilon International Medical Fraternity this past fall and have developed close friendships with other members since then. I have served as a Health and Safety Committee Representative with Undergraduate Student Government since the first semester of my first year, which has allowed me to fully hear the needs of students on this campus and incorporate their voices into projects that we do within the committee. The act of listening to those you serve and acting based on their suggestions is a characteristic I deem very important in a leader. I served as the AKA/Philanthropy/Service Chair of the Pilipino Student Association this past academic year and will be serving as the Treasurer for the upcoming school year. I have learned how to form close connections and network with students, faculty, community leaders, and national philanthropic leaders in this role and I will use these skills in the coming year to promote diversity and equity in the campus community through dealing with the finances of the cultural organization. I also served as the Social Director for the Alpha Epsilon Delta Pre-Health Honorary Society this past year and will be serving as the organization’s President this upcoming school year. I am excited to work with professionals in the healthcare field, other pre-health students, and other members of the society across the country to satisfy my career goals and management skills in this role. I truly enjoy leadership and I cannot wait to see what is in store in the coming years.
I have engaged in multiple service activities since I started at OSU. I volunteered with an organization entitled Smiles with Style and went to the Ronald McDonald House to comfort ill children by doing various fun activities with them. I plan to continue working with children by volunteering as a tutor in the oncology unit at Nationwide Children’s Hospital every week once COVID becomes less of a threat. I love working with kids and am excited to start the opportunity. Aside from working with children, I have been able to contribute 100+ hours to the American Red Cross as a Blood Donor Screener, 20+ hours to the Mid-Ohio Foodbank as an indoor pantry assistant, and even traveled to Charleston, SC with Buck-i-Serv to help with hospital operations at the Veterans’ Affairs Medical Center. This summer, I hope to volunteer at a free clinic or tutor children at a church to continue serving the community. Hopefully next year, COVID-willing, I will be able to lead a Buck-i-Serv trip as well within the United States to expand my horizons of service.
I cannot be more grateful for the opportunities I have at Ohio State that have allowed for my overall growth in the past years. I hope to continue this growth within the honors program in each of the ways I mentioned above until graduation and implement what I have learned in my career and personal life. I am so excited to see what is in store in the future!
