Why I Chose The Pharmacy Field

I never thought my love for science would leave me without a place to live. My resolve to pursue medicine, instead of law as my parents demanded, left me homeless during my last year of high school. Despite this upheaval in my life, I was determined to continue this path. This passion began fourteen years ago, when three relatives passed away from cancer or a stroke, and kindled an interest in helping people through medicine. That spark of curiosity has since evolved into a love for patient care, science, and constant learning.

At the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC), I began my journey into medicine with a major in biochemistry and molecular biology to better understand the molecular processes that dictate life. In Dr. Doug Kellogg’s lab, I researched the mechanisms governing cell division in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which resulted in a poster presentation and contributed to a pending manuscript, aiming to elucidate potential targets for cancer therapeutics. During this project, I also became involved with the STEM Diversity Program where I worked alongside peers, from underrepresented ethnic or low socioeconomic backgrounds, in workshops to improve our critical thinking. These experiences were not only educational, but also afforded me the rich opportunity to collaborate with unique intellectuals in approaching solutions to scientific problems.

Having learned from the challenges my peers and I faced, I hoped to help other struggling students. As a teaching assistant and tutor for developmental and physiological biology and biochemistry lab, I aimed to educate students and help develop their love for learning. Through effective communication and adapting my teachings to different types of learners, test score averages for my students rose 10% above the class. I even guided two students into biomedical labs that fit their interests.

By aiding struggling students, I was able to give back to the community for the support I received in college. As a first-generation, full-time student, I juggled multiple jobs to pay for my education and living expenses, while also conducting a research project. None of this would have been possible without the aid and encouragement of my community. My determination and the support I received from friends and faculty, have allowed me to overcome challenges, obtain valuable research and leadership skills, and graduate Summa Cum Laude.

After UCSC, I continued to pursue medicine through translational research and the healthcare field. At Prothena, I study disease pathology and therapeutics against neurodegeneration. In 2018, our NEOD001 drug against AL amyloidosis failed its phase 2b/3 clinical trials bringing tears and heavy hearts to both patients and scientists. Surprisingly, despite still having no approved therapy, the patients displayed an inspirational act compassion by comforting us scientists. This event taught me the importance of kindness regardless of the situation.

As an emergency medical scribe at John Muir Medical Center, I worked with health-care professionals by documenting their patient interactions/ diagnosis and summarizing patient health problems, which ranged from issues of drug-drug interactions to myocardial infarctions. In every case, I witnessed the ominous air surrounding the patients and their families transform into relief and rejoice as their concerns were alleviated. From my experiences, the internal gratification from playing a role in patient health and educating others cultivated my interest in pharmacy.

My decision to pursue pharmacy was driven by my experiences and the opportunity to marry my passions together. As a scientist, I’m captivated with chemical/molecular interactions and the challenges of puzzles. As a scribe, I thrived from integrating my love for science with improving patient health in a direct manner. After researching the field of pharmacy and discussing my interest with my best friend at Chapman-School of Pharmacy, my sister at College of Pharmacy-Glendale, and a local pharmacist, I am ecstatic to pursue this career.

My critical thinking and meticulousness will prove valuable as I analyze case studies and develop treatment regimens. My ambitious nature and teamwork mentality will aid me in improving patient safety. I believe with these skills, among others, and my constant pursuit of knowledge, I will grow as a future leader in the pharmacy field with patient health and safety as my primary focus.