What impact has OADI had on your academic or professional experience?
OADI has had a significant impact on both my academic and professional journey by providing me with mentorship, financial support, and invaluable opportunities for growth. My P3 advisor, Foula, has been an incredible source of encouragement and guidance since my freshman fall semester. He believed in my potential even before I fully believed in myself, and his support has played a major role in shaping my confidence and future goals.
Through the program’s pillars of professional development and mentorship, OADI has also helped me grow professionally. I have participated in resume-building workshops, the Weill Ithaca Shadow Program (WISP), and the Pre-Med Weill Cornell Conference, all of which strengthened my understanding of healthcare and prepared me for future opportunities. Shadowing physicians at Cornell Hospital was especially inspiring, and I also had the opportunity to speak with medical students who provided valuable application and career advice. In addition, the Summer Experience Grant allowed me to fund my internship as a Medical Assistant in California, giving me hands-on clinical experience that further solidified my passion for medicine.
Overall, OADI has provided me with the resources, mentorship, and opportunities necessary to succeed, and it has truly propelled both my academic and professional development.

What has it meant to be recognized for an award and as an award recipient?
Being recognized as an award recipient is an incredible honor and something I am deeply grateful for. Within the OADI community, I am surrounded by driven, intelligent, and compassionate individuals, so to be acknowledged among such scholars is truly meaningful to me. The program has played a major role in both my academic and professional development, and I am proud and honored to represent such an impactful community.

What values guide you and inspire you?
Empathy and perseverance guide and inspire me in my life. I value being attentive to others’ needs and fostering meaningful relationships in the environments I am part of. Whether in tutoring, classes, or club meetings, I find it important to connect with others, build genuine friendships, and develop a strong network of individuals with shared interests. I see these connections as both personally fulfilling and valuable in the long term.
Perseverance also plays a key role in how I approach challenges. When I encounter setbacks, I remind myself to stay disciplined and continue working toward my goals. I also try to maintain balance by making time for social activities and friends, while remaining committed to my academic and personal responsibilities.

What are you most looking forward to this summer or this upcoming year?
I am looking forward to making the most of my senior year with my friends and graduating in the spring. I want to be intentional about enjoying my remaining time in Ithaca, making memories, leading clubs, and continuing to grow both personally and academically before transitioning into the next stage of my life. I am also looking forward to beginning the medical school application process in the spring.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself?
A fun fact about me is that I had never seen snow fall before coming to Cornell. It was a surreal experience leaving Baker Lab as a freshman and seeing it for the first time. While I have gotten used to it (and now see it more as a hassle at times), I still think snow is beautiful.