Alyssa Fernandez

As a recent graduate with a bachelors in Molecular and Cellular Biology, my academic journey has been marked by a passion for research and a commitment to healthcare. Over this past summer, I had the privilege of conducting research under Dr. Jerome Breslin at USF Health. Our project delved into lymphatic function and morphology in diabetic and non-diabetic patients. This research fellowship was generously funded by the UCF ACCESO program through an Alfred P. Sloan grant. In addition to my work at USF, I conducted research with Dr. Roslyn Crowder at Stetson University with a focus on leukemia. We are currently pursuing the publication of our work.

In addition to research, I played an active role in various organizations at my undergraduate institution. Most notably, I spent time in Beta Beta Beta Biological Honor Society, Rotaract club, and Alpha Alpha Alpha Honor Society. As a proud first-generation student, I was part of the founding group of an honor society dedicated to supporting fellow first-generation scholars. As time passed, I became president of the honor society and sought to create a welcoming environment for young scholars.

Driven by a desire to integrate research with clinical practice, my goal is to attend medical school and become a practicing physician. Throughout my undergraduate career, I have gained invaluable practical experience through internships and experiences in diverse healthcare settings. These experiences have deepened my understanding of healthcare and have reinforced my commitment to serving others with empathy and expertise.