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Background

Michel grew up in Peru with his father and grandmother and at the age of fifteen he moved to the United States to live with his mother. He was originally considering joining the Air Force, but later realized that was his father's dream rather than his own. It was when his grandmother became ill that he was inspired to pursue a career in medicine. After her death he felt that by being a doctor he could help other people in a way that he was unable to do so for his own grandmother. Initially he was unsure of his ability to be admitted to college because he struggled with speaking English and learning in his new language. His girlfriend, Rachel, who is now his wife, helped him study for the SATs and apply to colleges. She made him realize that it was possible for him to follow his dream.

Why IUP

In considering schools, he wanted to find something that both was affordable and offered programs in areas that interested by him and his wife, a nursing major. IUP also offered the opportunity for him to develop some basic skills through specialized courses, before starting his major classes.  Being a city boy, Michel wasn’t originally interested in the small town atmosphere.  However, by his second visit, IUP had grown on him.

Things You Do

Michel already knew that he wanted to study to be a doctor, but he wasn’t sure if he wanted to specialize in biology or chemistry.  Biology seemed to be a better fit than the strict experimentation and investigation of chemistry.  Michel had entered into IUP through the Learning Enhancement Center.  The first year with the LEC helped him to reach a better understanding of some of the subjects essential to his studies but which hadn’t been stressed in his previous schooling.  After that, he began taking courses for his major.  He is minoring in psychology and chemistry and is considering taking up a minor in English to improve his reading and writing skills.  Those skills are very important in excelling on the MCATs (a test he needs to take to get into medical school).

He participated in a summer undergraduate research program at the University of Pittsburgh.  There, he learned of the MD/PHD career track through which he could be both a doctor and a scientist.  “I fell in love with [the program].”  It gave him the opportunity to branch out more than if he were studying to be just a doctor or a research scientist.  He’s considering becoming a surgeon and working in cancer research.  His mentor, an eye-ear-throat surgeon, has been very influential in the path he’s taking with his career. His ultimate goal for the future is to set up clinics in other countries providing them with, otherwise unavailable, healthcare.

School Stuff

He is participating in a three-semester honors biology program doing research directly with a professor.  He’s a member of the American Medical Student Association, the oldest and largest independent association of physicians in training in the U.S.  It allows students to network and/or work in other areas and countries.  He also gave a presentation in Texas for a national conference for Society for Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science, where a combination of students and professionals can present their scientific works. He’s also a member of ASB (Alternative Spring Break) here at IUP, which travels to other parts of the country in order to do volunteer humanitarian work. Thus far he has traveled to New York City with the program and intends on going to Montana in the spring of 2005.

Around Here

Michel is very active all.  He enjoys playing soccer and going to the gym. Michel is known around campus for his delicious Peruvian cooking. He loves spending time with Rachel, going out to the movies, and bowling.  Michel also works hard with PAmentor, a national human service organization providing a broad range of alternative, community based care options to diverse populations.  Its goal is to provide specialized services to meet the needs of the individuals referred to it.  PAmentor put Michel and a boy together so that the boy has an opportunity to hang out with someone who has a better understanding of his impairments.  Michel serves as a friend and a role model.  He says it can be hard sometimes, but he’s grown to really care for the person he works with.