Department of Health & Biomedical Sciences College of Health Professions

BMED Profiles in Excellence

**2024**
March, 29, 2024	Name: Neida M. Gutierrez Age: 22 Major: Doctor of Occupational Therapy College: College of Health Professions Hometown: Weslaco, TX High School: Weslaco East High School Why UTRGV? I decided to attend UTRGV because it is a top-tier university that prioritizes providing high-quality education to all students. UTRGV has also made significant strides in community engagement, and I was drawn to the university’s commitment to giving back to the community. Upon completing my undergraduate degree in Biomedical Sciences, I was certain that I wanted to further my education at UTRGV. The Doctorate in Occupational Therapy program at UTRGV would enable me to pursue a career that I am passionate about while still being able to maintain close relationships with my family and friends in the area. Read more about Neida Gutierrez.

**2023**
May, 23, 2023	Name: Alekxa Ariadna Guevara Rivera Age: 21 Major: Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences College: College of Health Professions Hometown: Ciudad Victoria Tamaulipas, México High School: James Nikki Rowe High School, McAllen, TX Why UTRGV? As an immigrant, during my last years of high school, the idea of continuing my education was something that seemed impossible, mainly because I knew that my family and I wouldn’t be able to afford it and the idea of giving up on my dream made me super sad. Nonetheless, I decided to apply to different universities just hoping for the best. I remember getting my acceptance letters and being happy of getting accepted into different institutions, but I didn’t know how I was going to be able to afford it and that was concerning. But one day I got a big envelope in the mail from the Financial Aid Department at UTRGV in which they were congratulating me for being eligible for some grants and telling me that my classes were covered for the school year. The happiness I felt and how much I cried out of happiness is something that I’ll never forget, and so, whenever I get asked, “Why UTRGV?” The answer is very clear. UTRGV gave me the opportunity to continue my education by helping me financially. UTRGV made my dream possible. Read more about Alekxa Ariadna Guevara Rivera.
May 2, 2023	Name: Jonathan Ricardo Dominguez-Olivo Age: 23 Major: Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences with minor in Psychology College: College of Sciences Hometown: Harlingen, TX High School: Harlingen High School Why UTRGV? I chose to attend UTRGV because it was the university that made me feel wanted. I just felt like its mission to put the Valley on the map really resonated with me. Compelled by its welcoming presence and sense of belonging, I felt like I owed it to the Valley to invest my talents into it. After all, it was the place that nurtured me, believed in me, and provided me with the opportunities to be where I’m at today. Read more about Jonathan Dominguez.

**2022**
August 2, 2022	Name: Dominique De Los Reyes Age: 20 Major: Double Major: Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences and Bachelor of Arts in Theatre College: College of Health Professions & College of Fine Arts Hometown: Mission, Texas High School: UTRGV Mathematics and Science Academy, Edinburg, Texas Why UTRGV? I chose UTRGV because of the amazing experience I had while attending the UTRGV Mathematics and Science Academy. Through this high school program, I was able to be a full-time college student during my junior and senior year of high school. This allowed me to achieve a significant head start in my college career as well as earn a scholarship to UTRGV when I graduated high school. The close distance of the university to my parent’s house and this scholarship has given me the opportunity to save money for my future plans to travel. Read more about Dominique De Los Reyes.
July 19, 2022	Name: Chelsea Erazo Macias Age: 22 Major: Biomedical Sciences College: College of Health Professions Hometown: Weslaco, TX High School: Weslaco High School and Edinburg North High School Why UTRGV? UTRGV has always felt like home. When I was younger, I would accompany my older cousins to UTPA, now known as UTRGV. They would invite me to events at the university offered back in 2010, and that’s how I discovered that I wanted to be part of the university since I had been part of this community way before my college days. Also, because being part of UTRGV is the best of both worlds, you experience the ambiance of the Hispanic heritage while living in the U.S. Read more about Chelsea Erazo.

**2021**
July 6, 2021	Name: Gisselle Montemayor Age: 22 Major: Biomedical Sciences College: Health Affairs Hometown: McAllen, Texas High School: James Nikki Rowe High School Why UTRGV? I chose UTRGV because I was offered a full ride for all four years of college and I would still be able to pursue a degree in what I was interested in. I am a very family-oriented person so staying here I felt would be the best decision for me. Many people don’t realize that the RGV is growing and changing, providing many opportunities that the generations before us didn’t have. Here I am four years later, debt free and pursuing a B.S. in Biomedical Sciences. Read more about Giselle Montemayor.
March 9, 2021	Name: Ana Sophia Mendoza Age: 19 Major: Biomedical Sciences Hometown: Edinburg High School: South Texas High School for Health Professions, Mercedes, TX Why UTRGV? I chose UTRGV based on three criteria: Cost-friendliness, proximity to home, and sense of community. This university offers quality education, all the while allowing me to experience college life amongst familiar faces and a culture unlike any other. Read more about Ana Sophia Mendoza.

**2019**
July 30, 2019	Name: Roberto De La Garza Age: 21 Major: Biomedical Sciences Hometown: Brownsville, Texas Why UTRGV? I decided to attend UTRGV for the Rio Grande Valley's rich culture and its proximity to my home. As a Biomedical science student, UTRGV offers a wide spectrum of research fields and topics to choose and learn from. Additionally, UTRGV offers a quality education comparable with many of the state's leading public universities. Read more about Roberto De La Garza.
May 7, 2019	Name: Mariana Cerda Age: 21 Major: Biomedical Sciences Hometown: Weslaco, TX Why UTRGV? My parents attended the university when it was UTPA, so I was always interested in the school and knew I would apply. I was admitted into the BMED program and was excited for the opportunity. I love that UTRGV has so much to offer and it is so close to home. Read more about Mariana Cerda.

**2018**
April 10, 2018	Name: Roman Sanchez-Martinez Age: 20 Major: Biomedical Sciences Minor: Biology Hometown: Monterrey, Nuevo Leon Why UTRGV? When I enrolled at UTRGV, I was under the CAP program that allowed me to stay at the institution for a year and eventually transfer to UT Austin to continue my studies. Upon my stay, I realized that UTRGV offered so many opportunities that, to this day, have helped me grow academically as well as personally. Read more about Roman Sanchez-Martinez.

**2017**
November 14, 2017	Name: Victor Manuel Bazaldua Age: 21 Major: Biomedical Sciences Hometown: San Benito, Texas Why UTRGV? I strongly believe that excellence can only be achieved through relentless pursuit of perfection. With the right attitude, no barriers can deter a person from realizing their set goals. Through those principles, I knew that I would one day secure a spot... Read more about Victor Bazaldua.
July 4, 2017	Name: Hector Filizola Age: 21 Major: Biomedical Sciences Hometown: Brownsville Why UTRGV? With my acceptance into the unique biomedical sciences program and its innovative curriculum, I could not pass up attending UTRGV. I knew that this program offered me the best education for my career goals. Above all, only at UTRGV was I able to stay in the community... Read more about Hector Filizola
April 4, 2017	Name: Florentino Saenz Age: 20 Major: Biomedical Sciences Hometown: Brownsville Why UTRGV? I chose UTRGV because of the opportunities it provided me. I was able to become part of both the University Scholars, which provides a full ride to UTRGV, and the A-Prime Time early acceptance program which allows me to graduate in three years... Read more about Florentino Saenz.