I am a native of San Antonio and like many here have close connections with the crazy city of Austin. Although I am not a longhorn by technical affiliation (I am by choice) I am a UT student. I continued my education after high school in San Antonio, attending UTSA for my bachelors and masters degrees in Electrical Engineering. Given the great research opportunities, I am now currently working towards my PhD; inspired by mixing engineering and the biomedical sciences together.

I love traveling and have had many opportunities to adventure from far corners of the world to close stops near SA. When I’m not traveling, I love playing basketball, cycling, boxing and whatever else I’m in the mood to do to keep moving whenever I can. I love playing the guitar, some percussion (and sometimes singing) and am involved in a local band. I absolutely love music and want to dance whenever I can, and when I can’t then I’ll tap my pen to the beat, and if no pen then I’ll move my head.

Being a part of Texas 4000 has helped me appreciate the smaller things in life. It has helped me to become more aware of obstacles we must overcome when fighting something with such a huge impact. This is exactly why I hope to continue my research in the area of biomedical engineering; to continue to find ways to fight illnesses such as cancer and diseases such as diabetes. Being a part of Texas 4000 allows me to help the team to fight cancer for those who can’t and I hope that every day that is a physical challenge for us this summer is one less day of a challenge for those fighting cancer.

Cancer, a serious epidemic world wide, claiming lives, has only made more important the experiences of those who have survived and those who have been able to help these people battle it with the means of funding and research. Funding and research is critical in this long battle and it is up to organizations and events like Texas 4000 to keep the continued awareness of fighting cancer and educate the public about ways and technology that may help prevent it.

As an engineering student and researcher in biomechanics and diabetes, I am able to see how the effects of any illness can impact not only the patient but the family and doctors who seek the best and most effective treatment for their patients. It is the funding that is crucial to allow for the research to continue to potentially providing cheaper, better healthcare for all cancer patients.

A close cousin of mine battled cancer for 2 years and has now been in remission for 5 years. As a cancer survivor he recalls his battles and joys of going through this experience and instills in everyone a sense of strength, enthusiasm and courage. Also, a great friend of mine in Spain battled breast cancer for years in her twenties and has now been cancer free for 20 years. As she explains her trials during this time I see how she has triumphed with her adventurous life she now leads and desires the same for all cancer survivors and those battling the illness.