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Natalia is enjoying a busy second year as a medical student at the University of Louisville, where she is focusing on chemical gene therapy and other research. “My days mostly involve attending lectures and studying. Concurrently, I am nearing the end of my term as president of the Medical Student Council, while also volunteering in a pediatric oncology ward with the SMILE (Students Making Illness a Little Easier) program and at a substance abuse recovery center called the Women’s Healing Place.”
Natalia says she is no stranger to the difficulty of medical school because of her time at Stevens. “The rigor of the chemical biology curriculum prepared me well for the pace of my preclinical medical education, and the faculty inspired me to remain curious throughout my studies. Perseverance, self-motivation, love of thinking and problem-solving are all qualities I honed while at Stevens.”
During her time as a student, Natalia was the honor chair for Gear & Triangle. She was also a sister in Delta Phi Epsilon and served as a resident advisor. She received the Distinguished Leader and Women’s Excellence in Leadership awards from the Office of Student Life. In 2015, she received the Harold R. Fee ’20 Alumni Achievement Award.
Coming from a single-parent household, Natalia knew she needed scholarship support to pursue her dreams. She benefitted from an Arthur E. Imperatore Scholarship and others. “Scholarship support ensured I could spend my time focused on my studies rather than worrying about how to afford them. It also introduced me to individuals who I currently stay in contact with and consider my mentors. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of thanking scholarship donors.”
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