NSMAA Scholarship Review Guide

Attending the University of Houston’s College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics makes the most sense to me since I am planning to major in Chemistry. The opportunities that are presented to me in terms of internships and networking are invaluable. I am presented with job opportunities that can not be found anywhere else. I want to pursue pharmaceutical science as a career, so chemistry is the best major I could choose. Synthesizing medicine takes an extensive understanding of the chemical makeup of materials, so I am trying to educate myself with my major. I hope to work i a lab setting after graduating and crating new and better medicine for the general public.

In my journey to become a physician, I chose to study under the 3/4 Honors Biomedical Sciences (HBS) Program in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics at the University of Houston, geared towards preparing students medical school and future careers in medicine. Under this program, I will earn a B.S. in Biomedical Sciences and a minor in Medicine and Society over 3 years. Afterwards, I will directly matriculate to McGovern Medical School or UT Medical Branch to study 4 years at medical school for an M.D. I was drawn to UH because, within the Honors College, I can join my peers in small-classroom learning environments, where I can develop a close relationship with both my professors and my classmates. Additionally, I can gain opportunities to perform community service and network with health professionals associated to the Honors College. The proximity of UH to the Texas Medical Center allows me to apply for numerous clinical research positions. Furthermore, I can shadow nearby doctors to learn how exactly hospital environments function. 
Once I finish my undergraduate education, I aim to attend medical school and, afterward, follow a residency in orthopedic surgery. I’m focused specifically on becoming an orthopedic surgeon because some of my closest friends have scoliosis, and I want to treat this prevalent condition in the future. I’ve also been a victim of chronic subacromial impingement, a shoulder injury that left me handicapped for a year, so I aspire to diagnose and benefit future patients through novel treatment and rehabilitation. 

1. Awarded President’s Community Service Award, Spring 2023

1. Thermo Fisher Scientific Antibody Scholarship (2022)
   One of 6 undergraduate and graduate students selectively chosen form an international pool of applicants as outstanding individuals pursuing a career in the life sciences. Awarded $5000 scholarship.
2. National Youth Science Camp Texas Delegate Summer 2022: One of two students from Texas selected by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to attend this prestigious program. Attend seminars from prominent scientists worldwide and collaborated with peers in interactive STEM workshops. Visited American Association for the Advancement of Science to learn about and discuss contemporary science policy.
3. University of North Texas Undergraduate Research Fellow (2021)
   Recognized as a distinguished undergraduate researcher at UNT, receiving a $500 scholarship to continue biochemical research, invited to UNT research panel discussions.
4. University of North Texas Summer Research Scholarship (2021) Received $3000 scholarship to continue researching under Dr. Douglas Root in Summer 2021 at UNT.
5. National Merit Finalist (2022) Recognized for one of the highest Selection Index scores on the national PSAT/NMSQT exam.
6. University of North Texas President’s List (2020, 2021, 2022)
   Commended for maintaining a 4.0 GPA at the University of North Texas.

N/A

1. Assisting Communities Everywhere – Co-Founder/President
2. Boy Scouts of America – Troop Guide, Den Chief, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Eagle Scout
3. Forward Tutoring – Executive Director, Board Advisor
4. Lambda Phi Epsilon Pi Chapter – Historian Chair
5. TAMS Medical Society Outreach – Co-Founder, Volunteering Coordinator
6. Denton High School Tutoring – Committee Head, Tutoring Director

National Honor Society- 70+ hours

1. Undergraduate Research Assistant (May 2018 – Present) Researched under Dr. Cai at the University of Houston Department of Chemistry, investigating the ability of E. coli 83972 fim+ to form protective biofilms against uropathogens for cather-associated UTI treatment.

2. Undergraduate Research Assistant (August 2016 – May 2018) Researched under Dr. Douglas Root at the University of North Texas Department of Biological Sciences, studying the effects of specialized antibodies and peptides on modulating myosin subfragment-2 to influence muscle contraction.

3. Forward Tutoring (April 2017 to Present) Managed 501(c)3 international nonprofit organization that tutors over 400 students worldwide through a dynamic web platform (forwardtutoring.net). Created and set up tutoring forum and system of video call based tutoring. Recruited tutors from the Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science (TAMS). Now a Board Advisor: arranges board meetings and meet with current executives to discuss plans to benefit Forward Tutoring and maintain its outreach to students worldwide.

4. Lambda Phi Epsilon (2018 to Present) Historian Chair:

– maintain and organize directory of fraternity event photos and videos (community service, fundraising, alumni)

– work with social media coordinator to post and promote events on social media

– compose fliers for fraternity alumni events and charity events

– create scrapbook for the semester chronicling fraternity accomplishments and significant community service events

– craft spreadsheets for volunteering and fundraising events

– assist in taking attendance of active members during general body meetings

Shadowing Vice President of Service in Lambda Phi Epsilon:

Supervising children on Friday nights

1. Assisting Communities Everywhere (February 2017 to Present) Co-founded and directed Texas-verified nonprofit organization that delivers Careboxes to people in need. Donated 400+ lbs of canned food and hygiene items to homeless in Denton, TX through Our Daily Bread; 100+ lbs of food and supplies to Hurricane Harvey victims in Katy, TX through Second Baptist Church; 50+ Careboxes of toiletries and supplies to orphans through Cumberland Presbyterian Children’s Home; pending 501(c)3 status.
2. Boy Scouts of America (August 2010 – July 2016) Mentored and instructed younger scouts in Troop 424 (Katy, Texas) as a Den Chief and Troop Guide. Participated in various volunteering activities including food drives, Adopt-A-Highway, tutoring, and helping Texas State Parks remove invasive plants.
3. Lambda Phi Epsilon : Helped manage and promote fundraisers and awareness for the Be The Match National Marrow Donor Program. Organized blood drives for the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center on the University of Houston campus.
4. TAMS Medical Society Outreach (April 2017 to May 2018) Co-Founded volunteering program that leads tutors from the Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science to teach local elementary students about the health sciences. Created presentations and models to assist the children in learning about fields including Anatomy/Physiology and Chemistry.
5. Denton High School Tutoring (April 2017 to May 2018) Led tutors from the Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science to teach local high school students around Denton, Texas in topics ranging from Algebra to Pre-Calculus.