Cohort 2025

Ileana Andrade is a dedicated psychology student with an interest in developmental and physiological psychology. Her fascination with human behavior and the brain stems from an early curiosity about cognition and the factors that shape individual experiences. This interest was further solidified by her late autism diagnosis, which inspired her to explore neurodivergence in greater depth, both academically and personally. With aspirations of earning a Ph.D. in psychology, Ileana is focused on becoming an educational psychologist, where she can contribute to research and interventions that support diverse learning needs. She is particularly committed to addressing health disparities within underrepresented communities, especially within the Latinx community. Growing up, she witnessed firsthand the disproportionate effects of tobacco use on her family and around her community, which made her motivated to understand the psychological and social determinants behind tobacco use, including stress, socioeconomic barriers, and targeted marketing strategies.By participating in the NextGen program, she seeks to deepen her understanding of how nicotine affects the brain and behavior, both in users and those exposed indirectly. She believes that researching these impacts through a psychological view is essential for developing effective public health initiatives and educational interventions that promote health equity. The program aligns with her goal of using research to inform policies and practices that benefit marginalized communities.Outside of her academic work, Ileana is passionate about advocating for mental health awareness within the Latinx community and working to destigmatize neurodivergence. She enjoys reading about neuroscience, attending concerts, taking walks in nature and baking.

One of the core values Fernanda Guereca Ruiz was taught was the importance of education. She grew up in Mexico until she was 13 years old and moved to San Diego where she faced the challenge of learning English, quickly progressing through the English Language Development (ELD) program. She has been interested in biology since High School, her favorite topic in biology was the brain which later evolved into an interest in Psychology, taking a Cognitive Psychology class at Southwestern College reassured her decision to major in Psychology. She will also receive an Associate of Arts Degree in Social Work and Human Services, Liberal Arts in Math and Science, and Psychology. Fernanda became aware of the widespread use and normalization of tobacco use in youth, both in Mexico and the United States at a young age. She knew it was not okay to see people so young smoking. This concern sparked her passion for addiction recovery, a passion that would follow her through the years. This program was a unique opportunity to contribute to her community and maintain her interest in addiction recovery, aligning with her long-term goal of becoming a Clinical Psychologist. Outside of her academic interests, Fernanda likes to watch all types of movies, go to concerts, and spend time with friends and family.

Waverly Lester is a dedicated student with a strong foundation in biology. Having spent three years at Southwestern College focusing on biology, and working as a part time lab tech for Southwestern’s department, Waverly has developed a keen interest in contributing to health research, particularly in areas that disproportionately affect her Latinx community. This passion has driven her to pursue educational opportunities in her field of interest that allow for both academic and personal growth, and the NextGen program offers the chance to further these goals. Waverly’s primary motivation is her long-term aspiration to attend medical school. She believes that the NextGen program will provide crucial lab experience, along with tools needed to succeed while avoiding financial hardships. Gaining research based knowledge as opposed to personal experience regarding targeted minority communities, will help her serve her community better in her medical future. By participating in this program, Waverly hopes to lay the groundwork for a successful medical career, contributing to meaningful advancements in health equity research.     Outside of her academic pursuits, Waverly has a variety of hobbies that keep her engaged and balanced. As a former NCAA student-athlete at a four year university in Maryland, she continues to enjoy playing and watching lacrosse. She is also passionate about zoology, frequently visiting tidepools to practice animal genus identification, and participating in pollinator field work, combining her love for nature with her scientific curiosity. She is an intern for an NSF project focusing on pollinator census research, where she spends her free time collecting and identifying different native bees and analyzing their geographical and nesting habits, eventually presenting her findings with other community colleges. These activities not only enrich her life but fuel her dedication to a future in science and healthcare.

Ailani is a mechanical engineering student with an emphasis in bioengineering. As a first-generation college student, her educational path has been non-traditional, but driven by resilience and a deep desire to make a meaningful impact in healthcare. Growing up in both San Diego and Tijuana, she crossed the U.S.-Mexico border every day during high school to attend school in Chula Vista. She began her college journey at San Diego State University, with plans of becoming a physician assistant. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, her time working at an urgent care clinic in Chula Vista, shifted her perspective. Witnessing the toll of tobacco-related illnesses on patients, especially those with compromised lung function, made her curious about how technology could help. She decided to start fresh and continue her educational journey at Southwestern College to realign her academic focus, where she found a passion for mechanical engineering and its applications in medical device innovation. This program strongly aligns with her goals of developing technologies that support lung tissue repair and improve patients’ quality of life. Her career ambition is to work in the medical device field, designing tools and technologies that improve the lives of people with respiratory and other health problems. She believes this program will help her gain valuable research experience, hands-on skills, and a better understanding of how science and healthcare can work together to support communities. Outside of school, Ailani enjoys traveling, hiking, paddle boarding, and creative projects like crocheting and scrapbooking. These hobbies reflect her love for hands-on activities and exploring new ideas, both in and out of the classroom.

Barbara Zazueta is a biochemistry major who attended high school at Tecnológico de Monterrey, where she took her first science classes and decided to pursue her current field of study. After graduating, she moved to San Diego and enrolled at Southwestern College, where she had the opportunity to take courses such as organic chemistry and genetics, among others. Her interest in health equity research, particularly in areas like tobacco-related diseases, stems from recognizing how common tobacco use is today and the significant harm it causes to the body. She has firsthand research experience in other fields, including myotonic dystrophy and HIV, which has strengthened her dedication to understanding diseases that affect diverse populations. Her career goal is to conduct research that makes a meaningful impact in the health field, and this program would help her by surrounding her with professionals in the field, allowing her to learn from them and expand her skills through hands-on research. Outside of science, Barbara has a strong passion for coffee, from roasting the beans to understanding the entire process involved. She also enjoys traveling and going to the gym, as staying active is important to her.