A Thank You Letter to Dr. San Felipe by Brianna

A Thank You Letter to Dr. San Felipe by Brianna - April 2025 Scholarship Essay

While many students at my performing arts school focused solely on their craft, Dr. San Felipe, my former 7th and 8th grade science teacher, had an immersive class that encouraged me to explore knowledge and prioritize ingenuity. Her guidance during the challenging transition to online learning was invaluable. While others struggled to stay engaged, she kept my interest piqued with the complexities of Newton’s laws, which sparked my curiosity to dive deeper into subjects like CRISPR technology and Medical Terminology. I vividly remember one moment during the early days of virtual learning when she effortlessly transformed a seemingly mundane topic into a captivating one. She had this rare ability to make each lesson feel like a discovery, a journey I was excited to embark on, even from my bedroom during quarantine.

Dr. San Felipe’s support and mentorship were instrumental in nurturing my passion for STEM. She motivated me to continue pursuing education in the sciences, and it was through her encouragement that I won an essay competition on postzygotic embryo screening. This led to opportunities like invitations to Women in Cybersecurity seminars at CISA, presenting at the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minoritized Scientists, and an offer to be an intern at Walter Reed. Her influence did not just shape my academic interests; it helped me discover the confidence to put my thoughts and ideas out into the world, setting me on a path I had never before considered possible.

Dr. San Felipe’s encouragement helped me realize that it wasn’t just enough to seek personal success in the sciences; I wanted to use my education to influence change and contribute to broader societal issues. I’ve come to recognize that ethical dilemmas are a central aspect of modern science and healthcare. As I explore the intersection of neuroscience and bioethics, I am increasingly aware of the moral questions that arise from advancements in technology and medical care. My academic interest has evolved into a commitment to studying how bioethical standards in healthcare training influence the way healthcare providers interact with patients. I want to explore how personal values, empathy, and an understanding of human experiences shape these interactions and how we can create a healthcare system that balances technical knowledge with compassion, ensuring that emotional burnout, or compassion fatigue, does not diminish the quality of care patients receive.

Dr. San Felipe, more than any other individual, played a critical role in shaping the scientist and individual I am today. Her belief in my potential, even when I doubted myself, sparked the academic interests that would define my future. But beyond her influence, it was my upbringing and early life experiences that propelled me into the sciences and into exploring the real-world issues that I hope to address through my work. My goal is not just to contribute to the understanding of bioethics in healthcare, but to use my education to break cycles of limitation and create systems that empower others to succeed, regardless of their background.