Profile

About: I'm a Biochemistry major from Houston, TX. I have loved sports for as long as I can remember, so the prospect of biking from Austin to Anchorage is right up my alley. I am hoping to attend medical school after college with the hopes of becoming a physician in the U.S. military. I am really passionate about preventative healthcare, and that is one of the things that excited me so much about Texas 4000. Throughout college, I have pursued volunteer opportunities abroad and have spent 2 summers volunteering over seas. The summer after my freshman year, I travelled to Thailand and conducted behavioral research on elephants reintroduced into the wild. This past summer, I raised money to provide agricultural infrastructure to a woman's hospital in Lilongwe, Malawi.

Why I Ride

Cancer is such a unique disease that is capable of working its way into so many people’s lives. When I started to think about how cancer has impacted me and my family, I was astounded at the negative impact it has caused. There are so many people in my family that I want to ride for, but I would like to talk about a few specific instances that really resonate with me. The first couple of people that come to mind for me are my dad, grandpa, and uncle. Back when my dad and his older brother were in high school and college, my grandmother passed away from brain cancer. Losing a loved one to cancer is so difficult, but her passing couldn’t have come at a worse time for their family. My uncle had been in college for some time and my dad was leaving for his freshman year, so they were all separated despite the need for each other’s support. I know they had such a hard time, but I want them to know that I am so inspired by how well they continued with their lives. I would have really loved knowing my grandmother because she was such a sweet and kind-hearted person. I would like to ride for my dad, grandpa, uncle, and everyone else who has lost a loved one. I want them to know that they are not alone, and there are so many people in the world dedicating their efforts to alleviating the pains of cancer.