Discovering My Passion for Science
Science and math have the power to systematically unravel the intricate layers that explain the inner workings of our world—a power that has fueled my curiosity since I was young. As this fascination deepened over the years, it led me to major in biology at CCNY in 2016, driven by a desire to answer fundamental questions about the nature of reality. I saw biology as a way to gain the tools to not only explore these questions but to contribute my own perspective to the larger scientific conversation.
Yet, my journey to biophysics has been anything but linear. It has been a winding path shaped by personal challenges, academic setbacks, and moments of inspiration that rekindled my passion for learning and discovery.
Challenges and Setbacks
In my senior year of high school, I experienced turmoil at home. My mother, a single parent of three, was under enormous stress, and our relationship hit a breaking point. After a heated argument, I found myself homeless. Thankfully, my aunt gave me a place to stay, but the emotional weight of being estranged from my family affected every part of my life.
At school, the insecurity, fear, and anger I carried seeped into everything. I started skipping classes, smoking marijuana, and neglecting my studies. My grades plummeted, and I began to lose sight of who I was.
This was especially true in my physics class. At the start of the year, I was thriving—I stayed after school every day to work through problems, carrying a small whiteboard to break them down step by step. When our teacher, Mr. Sexton, warned us about a notoriously difficult test, I took it as a challenge. I poured all my effort into preparing and was the only student to earn a perfect score. I finally felt like I’d found something I was truly good at. But as my home life unraveled, I started skipping his class, ignoring my homework, and avoiding him after school. By the end of the year, physics was my worst grade, and I felt like I had let him—and myself—down.
This mindset followed me into my freshman year at CCNY. I was still living with my aunt and commuting 3–4 hours each way from Long Island to Manhattan. I regularly missed my 9 a.m. calculus class, and my academics took a backseat to my mental health.
Rekindling My Love for Science
During this time, I made a deal with myself: if I skipped a morning class, I had to visit the American Museum of Natural History instead. The museum became my sanctuary. Over the course of that year, I immersed myself in its exhibits, reading every word in every diorama, with a particular fascination for the Hayden Planetarium and the Earth evolution exhibits. These visits reignited my love for science, giving me the clarity and inspiration I had been missing during such a tumultuous time.
Eventually, I became a museum member, gaining access to exclusive nighttime lectures where leading scientists shared their groundbreaking work. These talks introduced me to the fascinating ways physics and biology intersect—from the molecular patterns shaped by physical laws to the potential for computational models to transform medicine. It was during these lectures, surrounded by people who were passionate about discovery, that I realized I wanted to study biophysics.
Yet, even with this newfound inspiration, I struggled to stay on track with my dreams. At the time, college felt impossible to commit to. I needed stability—an income to support myself after leaving my mother’s home. Pursuing my vision of a career in science felt out of reach, no matter how much it resonated with me.
I decided to pause my education and focus on earning a living. It wasn’t until 2021, when I restarted my college journey at Harford Community College, that I was able to pick up where I left off. In 2024, I earned my associate’s degree in general studies. While I initially majored in English because of my love for reading and writing, I made sure to take as many science and math courses as possible to keep my scientific mind engaged. Even then, physics never stopped calling my name, nor did my fascination with brain science.
Now, I’ve come to a pivotal realization: life is never going to pause and create the perfect conditions for me to follow my dreams. The vision I had in high school—of working on groundbreaking ideas in physics and biology—is still alive, and I’m finally ready to pursue it. That’s why I’m letting go of doubt, trusting my intuition, and committing to earning my bachelor’s in physics. This path is what my heart has yearned for since high school, and it’s time I honor it with the dedication and reverence it deserves.
What Excites Me About Biophysics
What draws me to biophysics is its potential to solve problems that matter to people. For example, AI and advanced computation are helping us understand how to manipulate physics at the molecular level to create more targeted medicines. Instead of using drugs that affect broad mechanisms in the body—often causing negative side effects—we could design therapies that target specific DNA clusters.
I’m also fascinated by the role of physics in understanding consciousness. Research on microtubules and other non-computational factors in the brain could help us uncover new ways to treat diseases like Alzheimer’s. These are the kinds of challenges I want to work on—questions that combine the theoretical with the practical and push the boundaries of what we know about life itself.
Representation in STEM
As of 2021, only 2.6% of bachelor’s degrees in physics were earned by Hispanic women. That number speaks volumes about the barriers that exist in STEM for people like me. I know firsthand how important it is to see someone who looks like you in a field where you’re underrepresented.
I want to be part of changing that. By earning my degree in biophysics, I hope to show other Hispanic women that we belong in physics, biology, and all the spaces in between. Representation matters—not just for individuals, but for the breakthroughs that can only happen when diverse voices contribute to science.
Conclusion
Although my journey hasn’t been traditional, every step has prepared me for what’s next. I’ve developed resilience, curiosity, and a deep commitment to learning. And in 2025, I’ll start to build the technical skills I need in biophysics, including programming, computational modeling, and lab techniques. Long term, I want to work on projects that bring the theoretical and the practical together, creating tools and therapies that benefit society. I also want to mentor young women and students from underrepresented backgrounds, helping them find their place in STEM.
My journey hasn’t been easy, but it’s taught me that progress isn’t always linear. Biophysics offers me the chance to combine my passions for biology and physics in a way that’s meaningful to me—and to the world. I’m excited to contribute to this field, to represent Hispanic women in STEM, and to help build a future where science is as diverse as the questions it seeks to answer.
→ Discover some of the books that have kept me company since graduating high school!