Reflection Synthesis 

        Conducting my eportfolio has allowed me to reflect on my experiences at UCF and how they align with who I am. I was able to find my passion for medicine and research. I learned that homelessness is an epidemic and, I believe, a worldwide health issue. It plagues a myriad of individuals around the world. With homelessness comes health disparities and inconsistency within medicine. With each experience, I further cultivate my passion for medicine.

        I am currently an undergraduate researcher exploring student homelessness and food insecurity at my university. Through this opportunity, I conduct surveys and interviews on campus in order to raise certain budgets. I have since expanded my research goal and awareness of student homelessness by becoming an employed researcher within the Sociology department. I plan to present my research at the UCF research symposium. I also plan on conducting research pertaining to the link between neuro-regression and mitochondrial dysfunction in autistic children. I was inspired to do this research because my youngest sister has severe autism, is nonverbal, and has a constant decrease in learning behaviors. For example, she will learn how to say her name when asked; however, if she does not work on it for two weeks she forgets. I also found this as an opportunity to educate myself on autism and possibly help my family understand her more. 

        Furthermore, within my university, I saw being first-generation put me at a disadvantage so I used this as a call to action. Due to my passion for serving others, this year I founded an organization at my university called First Generation Medicine. My organization aids students who are the first in their families to go to college and/or to declare a pre-medicine major through promoting academic success, medical experiences, and career/professional development strategies. In addition, I have become an advocate for providing medical sustainability in underserved communities around the world. I am a member of International Medical Outreach where I am able to travel to different countries around the world and leave a positive medical-related imprint on the community. Through this, I will have the opportunity to improve my medical cultural awareness by traveling to a myriad of different hospitals and educating myself on how other healthcare systems work.