Leading with Purpose: Gateways Scholar Honored for Advocacy Work

Just a few months after arriving on the University of Minnesota-Duluth (UMD) Campus as part of the Gateways to Research & Medicine Program, Heaven Aschalew is already trailblazing a path of her own by driving change through campus advocacy. 

Aschalew is a student in the Gateways to Medicine and Research Master’s Program, a graduate program within the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the Medical School on the Duluth Campus. This program is offered in collaboration with the University of Minnesota Duluth.

Just months into the program, her leadership, advocacy, and commitment have earned her UMD’s Graduate Student Association Award for Outstanding Graduate Student in 2025. “I wasn’t expecting the award at all,” Aschalew said. “I’ve only been here a few months, so it’s a really big privilege. But it’s not just about me—it’s really a reflection of our whole cohort’s work.”

With a clear goal of attending medical school and becoming a physician in pediatrics, Aschalew was drawn to the Gateways program for its strong academic support and connection to the medical school. She knew from the beginning that she needed a program that could help bridge the gap between ambition and access.

“I don’t have friends or family in medicine, and that’s exactly what Gateways is built for: students from underrepresented backgrounds who want to pursue professional programs,” Aschalew said. “It introduced me to things like Problem-Based Learning (PBL) early—something I wouldn’t have seen until medical school—and gave me MCAT prep support I really needed along the way.”

One of the most impactful initiatives of Aschalew’s time on campus so far has been her role in improving access to menstrual and hygiene products for students. “When I first got here, I noticed there were free products in some places, but not in the medical school building. And that seemed like a big gap,” Aschalew explained. After connecting with campus organizations, facilities staff, and a UMD committee dedicated to menstrual equity, Aschalew became a representative voice on the issue. Through advocacy and persistent communication including the Medical School’s Duluth campus Dean, Aschalew has influenced free access in more areas.

In addition to advocacy, Aschalew is also a volunteer in the Biomedical Sciences Laboratory working on research related to opioid addiction. 

"Being in the lab gave me the chance to learn some surgical techniques early on, but I’ve mainly been focused on brain slice imaging—checking to see if the injected virus shows up in the samples," Aschalew said. Although her primary focus remains in medicine rather than research, the experience has helped shape her understanding of how science and clinical care intersect.

Aschalew compliments Gateways’ Program Director, Pedro Fernandez-Funez, PhD, a faculty mentor who has helped her navigate the intense academic landscape of the program. “He challenges us to think through our reasoning—not just to find the right answer, but to explain how we got there—which has helped build stronger learning and confidence," Aschalew said. 

To future students considering the Gateways program, Aschalew offers this advice—“Be open to everything. Use the resources. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. It’s rigorous, but that’s because it’s preparing you for what’s ahead. And you’re not alone—there’s a whole community here rooting for you.”