Major: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Minor: Public Health
Why did you choose your major and minor?
Like many patients in my community, growing up, I struggled with my health as a result of my severe food allergies and a lack of culturally and language-proficient providers. Throughout my undergraduate studies, I focused on expanding my knowledge in the sciences because I wished to gain a greater understanding of myself and the world. Biochemistry provided me with the means to make sense of the molecular reactions governing the makeup of the body. To think that the allergic reactions I had growing up were chains of chemical reactions within my cells. Today I use the knowledge of my degree to help others with their understanding of the molecular mechanisms that make the world.
Would you recommend them to a future student? Why?
The biochemistry and molecular biology major prepared me well for the academic rigor associated with graduate school. All of the topics I encountered in my undergraduate are relevant to graduate courses and meet the prerequisites.
The public health minor opened the gates of opportunity and taught me how to apply the knowledge from my major to directly aid my community. I completed a paid internship at Westminster Free Clinic where I taught preventative care strategies for diabetic, Spanish-speaking patients in the Corazones Sanos (Healthy Hearts Class).
What are your future plans?
I would like to attain a PhD in biochemistry in order to continue to open doors for Latinos in higher education. My ultimate goal is to become a language-proficient and culturally competent individual capable of forming bonds with the diverse community I call home.
Are there any particular experiences — in or out of the classroom — that have helped you identify that path?
My four years working in the Developmental Genetics lab while completing a genuine molecular senior honors research project utilizing transgenes to identify developmentally important genes in both fruit flies and humans confirmed my desire to continue on my path of research.
Editorial Note: Anthony was able to receive a Kaiser Permanente grant to pursue his internships and graduate. He currently works at Amgen in the chemical laboratory.