Class of 2024 Spotlight: Health Science
Marco Reyes – Bachelor’s in Health Science Community Health Education
While at CSULB, Marco worked alongside the Center for Latino Community Health and participated in their Advancing Nutrition Development through Alliance for Education and Leadership (ANDALE) training program. Thanks to ANDALE, Marco landed an internship with Dr. Selena Nguyen-Rodriguez in her ‘Measuring and Identifying Multilevel Influences on Sleep (MIMIS)’ project where he worked as a research assistant.
Marco says he chose Health Science as his field of choice because he knew it would lead him to a career where he could dedicate himself to advancing public health initiatives, allowing him to positively impact populations and address the health equity needs of marginalized groups.
“As a future epidemiologist, I intend to utilize my HIV/AIDS research to assist in creating public health initiatives that aim to enhance treatment and prevention programs for underserved populations.”
Marco's passion has led him to receiving acceptance letters for postgraduate studies at USC, Brown and Boston University Schools of Public Health.
“Without the determination to challenge myself, I would not be where I am today. I’m beyond grateful that I took the chance to step outside of my comfort zone."
“In my junior year at CSULB, I made a new year goal: ‘Do the things that scare me.’ Since then, I have actively sought opportunities that could academically, professionally, and personally challenge me to grow as a person and student.”
Through this mindset, Marco says he was able to present an abstract at USC’s Diabetes & Obesity Research Institute’s annual symposium and travel to Atlanta, Georgia for the annual American Public Health Association conference. He was also able to secure an internship as a research assistant.
Marco cites his mentors Drs. Selena Nguyen-Rodriguez and Melawhy Garcia, who he says both inspired him academically and personally.
“They have played a massive role in shaping me into who I am today. They have provided me with a space to grow, allowed me to learn from my mistakes, and motivated me to strive for excellence. With their mentorship, I find myself in the position I am today – filled with enthusiasm and excitement for my future career. I am incredibly grateful to have crossed paths with them and have had the privilege of being mentored by such remarkable and inspiring faculty.”
