Albert Barrios, MS2
I chose U of M Medical School because of the vibrant research community, especially in cancer. I got the opportunity in 2019 to explore the U of M and the Twin Cities under a summer research program called LSSURP; luckily, I loved my summer research experience at the Masonic Cancer Center. Minneapolis was filled with fun adventures, and made it so memorable for me from the food festivals to Minnehaha Falls.
I think "Discovery and Innovation" means that we must always be curious and should not be afraid of being challenged, in order to grow from our past. I see it playing out in my future as a physician scientist being open to listen to others to discover new issues and working on them, so the research conducted benefits all communities.
I am a Mexican-Peruvian MSTP student from Los Angeles, CA. Before coming to the U of M Medical School, I conducted research in marine biological sciences, where I researched on how water pollution was affecting the local tide pools. Then I transitioned into biomedical research, working on African American breast cancer cell lines, and the effects of e-cigarettes in breast cancer and atherosclerosis at Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science.
My parents' sacrifices motivated me to become a physician because I remember one morning before school, I saw my father with severe back pain, and he couldn't put his socks on because he carried heavy luggage for passengers at LAX the night before. Even with the pain, instead of going to the doctor, he went back to work to ensure my family was taken care of. My parents endured so much pain to ensure that my siblings and I got the proper education to pursue our dreams. I would not be here at the U of M without my parents' unconditional support.
