Alexis Thompson is from Bridgeport, Connecticut where she just graduated from Central Magnet High School as president of the senior class. She is interested in learning more about biology and neuroscience while at UConn and, in fact, has been interested in the study of medicine since she was in the third grade. This interest was fueled by her attendance at a medical conference during high school in which she heard daily lectures about different areas in the medical field.
Tina Nguyen currently resides in East Hartford, Connecticut where she graduated from East Hartford High School, but she has lived in California, Texas, and Massachusetts as well. Together she feels that these places make up “home”. She will be majoring in physiology and neurobiology at UConn but is also interested in human rights and environmental problems. Tina has volunteered in the geriatric and nursing units at Hartford Hospital and also enjoys badminton and dancing to release stress.
Maritza Montanez is from Ansonia, Connecticut, where she graduated from Ansonia High School as salutatorian, captain of the girls’ tennis team, and Director of Conferences for the Human Relations Club. A biology major, Maritza is a member of the Combined Program in Medicine. She has volunteered over 150 hours at her local hospital, where she also participated in a Mini-Medical School program. In 2007, she was selected as a semifinalist in the Young Epidemiology Scholars Competition for her research project entitled “Obesity in Adolescents as a Result of a Sedentary Lifestyle.”
Sarah Chambers is from West Hartford, Connecticut where she recently graduated from Northwest Catholic High School. She is entering UConn as a pre-pharmacy major. Sarah enjoys drawing in her spare time and also volunteers at the West Hartford Health and Rehab Center where she works with the elderly. She has a part time job working in the “Whole Body” department, specializing in natural supplements and body care.
Ana Cerda was born in the Dominican Republic but relocated to New Haven, Connecticut when she was three years old. She is a recent graduate of Hill Regional Career Magnet High School and is a member of UConn’s Combined Program in Medicine with a major in English. She has participated in several programs through Yale University’s Partnership Program of Anatomy and Physiology that have given her the opportunity to do such things as work with medical students on cadavers, listen to presentations about medical and health issues, and hear lectures by medical professionals. She is also the proud new sister to her nine year old adopted brother.
Daniel Camacho is from Waterbury, Connecticut but was born in Colombia. He was the salutatorian of his graduating class at Sacred Heart High School and was also captain of the boys’ tennis team, which advanced to the final rounds of the state tournament under his leadership. As a member of the Combined Program in Dental Medicine, he will be majoring in biology at UConn. Daniel has already taken advantage of the opportunity to do a summer internship at the Community Health Programs Dental Center in 2008.