Growing up, I always set sizeable goals for myself as I planned for my future. Whether it be through my academics or through my responsibilities outside of my studies, I have always yearned to take every opportunity I am given to become the best that I can be and to accomplish my dreams. 

I am a hard-working and motivated First-Generation Hispanic student currently studying at the University of Florida (UF) in the Honors Program. I was born in New Jersey and moved to Florida at one year old. I grew up in Orange Park, Florida, and lived there all of my life before moving to Gainesville. I am also a proud Ecuadorian with a large Hispanic family living in Ecuador. My family means everything to me, and my parents are my strongest motivation for everything I do. Career-wise, I have made it my goal to study and work hard in the field of dentistry. I am incredibly passionate about serving and establishing long-term relationships with patients, so choosing dentistry as my career was the perfect choice for me. After graduating from UF, I plan to attend the UF College of Dentistry to earn my Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry Degree. From there, I plan to open my own practice and provide high-quality care to those in my community. 

Health disparities have largely shaped my motivation in pursuing dentistry, where my goals include helping bridge the gap between healthcare and those in need. I am a proud Ecuadorian Latina who has a deep love and appreciation for her Hispanic roots. Growing up, my family has always faced difficulties accessing high-quality healthcare. My uncle suffers from missing teeth and poor oral hygiene, but because he cannot afford dental care or communicate with doctors due to language barriers, he has continued to suffer all these years without medical treatment. Born to Hispanic immigrant parents, I became very accustomed to being the designated translator during medical appointments, while also translating government documents and other important papers at a young age. Therefore, I have made it my mission to pursue dentistry in the hopes of helping those like my family who are in need of care. As a Hispanic, I know that minorities such as mine are often underserved when it comes to meeting proper healthcare needs. To combat this, I hope to provide care to the underprivileged minorities in my community to help close the gap in health disparities. My dream is to serve as a representative and advocate in dentistry for underserved minorities, such as those whom I identify with, in order to reduce the suffering born from language barriers and health disparities in immigrant families.