Skip to main content

Awards, Distinctions, and Honors


Photo captured by V.S. in Europe

As I prepare for graduation this May and the subsequent transition to Medical School, I find myself reflecting on the milestones of the last decade. To an observer, a list of awards may look like a series of 'wins.' To me, they are something deeper: markers of perseverance and a long-term commitment to purpose. 

Success is never a solo journey. These honors are a testament to the rigorous standards I set for myself and the community of mentors and peers who value substance over appearance. While titles and awards are markers of a career, they are not the heartbeat of a life. I value the quiet, 'unproductive' moments just as much as the high-stakes ones. I am grateful to the colleagues, friends, loved ones, and mentors who stood by me through the adversity, international fieldwork, community service, late nights in the dorms, numerous scholarship applications, phone/video calls, quiet hours in the library, and the high-stakes pressure of prospectus/theses/dissertation defenses. To everyone who believed in my vision when the road was most demanding—thank you. Your unshakeable support turned these competitive goals into a shared reality.

I have always believed the true value of any 'distinction' is the platform it provides to serve others. My journey has taught me that consistency and integrity matter; they define not only how we conduct research, but how we show up for our communities. Whether you are navigating the rigors of higher education, facing professional crossroads, or working through a personal transition, my door remains open. I am committed to being a reliable point of reference for feedback, guidance, mentorship, or simply a non-judgmental space for support, where the person is always more important than the circumstances. If my experiences and journey and can assist you achieving your own goals, please do not hesitate to connect. This is a living page and will be updated.


Awards and Scholarships                                             LinkedIn

  • United States Federal Health Professional Scholarship Program National Awardee                                     (2026-2039) 
    • Honors-based appointment to a long-term career track as a Physician-Scientist with the U.S. Government.
  • National Science Foundation/Penn State Microelectronics and Nanonmanufactuing Certificate Program (2024)
  • Southwest Veterans Foundation Scholarship                                                                                                                                       (2023)
  • Department of Defense (DoD) SMART Scholarship Semifinalist                                                                                              (2023)
  • Graduate and Professional Student Association Engagement Award                                                                                    (2023)
  • National Science Foundation GC-GRO International Research Experience for Students Program                     (2022)
  • Department of Defense (DoD) SMART Scholarship Semifinalist                                                                                              (2022)
  • ARCS Foundation Scholar Award Semifinalist                                                                                                                                      (2021)
  • Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Gilliam Fellowship Nominee                                                                              (2021)
  • Graduate College Online/Remote Travel Award                                                                                                                                 (2021)
  • Professional Development Student Support Scholarship                                                                                                              (2021)
  • McNair Scholar                                                                                                                                                                                                        (2020)
  • Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) Scholar                                                                                          (2020)
  • Student Award: University Research Foundation                                                                                                                              (2020)
  • Department of Defense (DoD) SMART Scholarship Semifinalist                                                                                              (2020)
  • Humanities Honors                                                                                                                                                                                               (2018)
  • General Endowment Scholarship                                                                                                                                                                 (2017)
  • Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) Scholar                                                                                         (2017)
  • Mosaic's Leadership Today Selectee                                                                                                                                                         (2017)
  • University Delegate (Pacific Affiliate of College University Residence Halls)                                                                  (2016)
  • Clarence F. and Lyle V Burmahln Scholarship Financial Aid Award                                                                                        (2016)
  • California Scholarship Federation Life Membership                                                                                                                        (2016)
  • Point Loma Optimist Club Scholarship                                                                                                                                                     (2016)
  • PLHS Alumni Pointer Brothers                                                                                                                                                                     (2016)
  • Chief Petty Officer Scholarship Fund                                                                                                                                                       (2016)
  • Navy Marine Corps Relief Society Scholarship                                                                                                                                   (2016)
  • Preston Kelly Scholarship: Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc                                                                                                          (2016)
  • Jessie Knight Leadership Award and Scholarship                                                                                                                             (2016)
  • African American Youth Leaders of Tommorrow                                                                                                                               (2015)
  • Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) Scholarship                                                                                                        (2014)
  • Putney Student Travel Open Door Fund Scholarship                                                                                                                     (2014)

Grants and Fellowships

  • Graduate College Fellowship Award                                                                                                                                          (2021-2022)
  • Graduate College Interdisciplinary Enrichment Fellowship                                                                                        (2020-2022)
  • Unusual Student Project Grant                                                                                                                                                                   (2020)
  • School of Life Sciences Fellowship                                                                                                                                                            (2020)

"As much as talent counts, effort counts twice."- Angela Duckworth

Popular posts from this blog

What's a break without fresh air?

 It is natural for us humans to become complacent with our lives, the people, and the opportunities at our disposal. This behavior is innate and completely understandable. Think about it, if you saw a [beach] everyday, you may not view it with the excitement of someone who grew up days away from the ocean. This is not due to a lack of appreciation, but rather because [it] was at your becking call, [it] was easily... accessible. Take a chance and try something new, you never know what awaits I think many of us can agree that humans are often habitual creatures. More often then not, our lives get busy and we find comfort in our routines. The increasingly fast-paced, urbanized, and technologically advanced nature of society does not help combat this tendency. Luckily, there are currently 61 National Parks across the United States that can provide the change of environment and therapeutic experiences many of us subconsiously seek. This post focuses on a trip to Sehnandoah What ...
Read more

Where Now?

First off I want give a sincere Thank You to everyone who made the trip to Canada great and who supported and showed up to my party. Took a bit to get there, but the trip was thoroughly enjoyed and seeing/ spending time with you all made my summer (and it isn't even over yet.) Where to next? well you will just have to stay tuned! You mean no 5 o'clock traffic? The blueberries weren't out yet, but at least these guys were around Just something about a country lifestyle that makes you happy It was all gone so fast  When you realize afterwards that you didn't photograph your food Looking a little thirsty I was... pretty stoked to see a few bees buzzing
Read more

1 year in the box

It has been quite a bit since my last post, however now that it is summer and I have more free time I will be sure to try and update on a normal basis once again. The long second semester has come to end... well, that is a bit of an overstatement because the time sure did fly by. Exams, hangouts, a first all- nighter  and lunch dates. Those four things pretty much sum up the semester, and although it has come to an end, life continues and the next chapter began in a great way. After moving out of the dorm and bidding farewell to the campus for the next few months we passed some time sitting down and enjoying  boba . We then took a tour of the library exhibits (Beethoven and Steinbeck) before heading to the hotel. We enjoyed some great gyros and then called it a night. Enough  for 2 One of the keys to a successful trip is a happy driver and food of course. Luckily both of those were present and by morning we were on the road for our next st...
Read more