Chelsea Erazo
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.
What made you decide on your current major?
I’m seeking to challenge my limits by majoring in a field that would help me gain the necessary knowledge to improve people’s lives and inspire other students that might come from a similar background to do the same. I also felt that majoring in biomedical sciences would give me the foundation to better understand the art of research, specifically in the field of neuroscience, and later apply this knowledge to apply to a Physician Assistant program.
What do you hope to achieve beyond completion of your major?
I aspire to become a Physician Assistant specializing in neurology. I have always been an advocate for mental health. That’s the reason why I choose to follow this path. I have a little cousin that was recently diagnosed with epilepsy, and she is one of my biggest inspirations when deciding to become a PA. Later in life, I would do everything in my power to help low-income patients gain access to medical services at an affordable rate and hopefully collaborate with big companies to make this possible. I want to also transform negative stigmas surrounding the mental health community into positive narratives. Something that would help me feel very accomplished is to be an inspiration to all those little girls that come after me. I would like to tell them that no dream is too big; nothing we want for our future is beyond our reach if we have determination and resilience.
What does being a Vaquero mean to you?
Being a Vaquero means that I would get to represent my Hispanic heritage in the industry where I decide to work in the future, and no matter where I go belonging to this family would be a legacy that would follow me forever and that I would proudly carry. I want to give this University another reason to be proud of.
What opportunities has UTRGV helped you find throughout your community?
UTRGV has provided me with infinite opportunities. During my junior year of college, I applied to the ESAA program. I was granted the opportunity to participate in a local symposium where I was lucky enough to present my research related to spinal cord Injuries and win in the sustainability category. After winning that award, my mentor encouraged me to present my research to the School of Medicine at UTRGV this upcoming September. I was also given the opportunity to join the SEI program, where I was granted an internship here at UTRGV to expand my knowledge in neuroscience and gain experience in research. Furthermore, I was part of the Pre-PA club here on campus, where I have been given the opportunity to participate in many volunteer activities along with students in the Physician Assistant program.
What advice do you have for fellow students pursuing their degrees?
The best advice I can give my fellow students is to live in the moment and take advantage of every opportunity at UTRGV. One day you will look back on your college days and miss those moments, so I would advise you to cherish every day as if it was your last.
What’s in your playlist right now?
My playlist currently includes songs from Tama Impala, The Strokes, Olivia Rodrigo, Harry Styles, Billie Eillish, Coldplay, Nirvana, and many other small bands like FUR. I can go from Indie/Rock to Classics. It depends on the day. I have been replaying “Eventually” by Tama Impala the most since I dedicated that song to a special person.