My parents left Vietnam because they believed wholeheartedly in the “American Dream”—the idea that through hard work, dedication, and unwavering allegiance to their new homeland, (they could) pull themselves up. The image of my tanned immigrant father in his blue, oil-stained mechanics coveralls coming home from work late and looking exhausted became an example of what hard work was.

In the beginning, I was stuck in a bizarre linguistic limbo, knowing neither how to adequately communicate in English nor in my mother tongue. The disconnect between these two worlds was a source of confusion and I struggled to overcome this sense of not belonging anywhere. But slowly I came to grips with my identity as a new American, one that straddled two worlds—that of my Vietnamese heritage and American culture.
I took my experiences and moments of adversity and channeled them into the goal of doing something incredibly worthwhile. At a young age, I targeted my goals towards public service and focused on helping make our country a better place for families like mine. Through college, I exposed myself to new ideas and engaged in research opportunities. I worked in student government and interned at public agencies. After
graduation, I entered public service as a Capitol Fellow at the California State Senate where I worked to pass laws that would help people.

Now as a PhD student, my goal is to develop new ideas and theories on how racial minority groups cooperate to create new public policy. I believe that these topics are more important than ever as our country becomes more diverse, and that answers to these questions will make it easier for New Americans to prosper in the United States. Today, I am on the verge of graduating and joining the professoriate. I plan to continue doing research that informs our understanding of representation and helps make our democracy fairer. Moreover, I am committed to pulling up the many students who share backgrounds like mine and to give back to the many programs and scholarships that helped me along the way.

I offer you this story to illustrate how immigration and the acceptance of those who are looking for a better life in the United States are intrinsically good for our society. My story is representative of immigrant families – we are all looking for a chance to prosper and in doing so lift our country. We are professors, engineers, scientists, thinkers, artists, and more. I truly believe in the adage that America was built on the backs of immigrants.

I had the opportunity of meeting a group of incredibly sweet and warm ladies for an interview to win the Town & Gown Scholarship in the Spring of 2014. It was during a particularly stressful, low moment in my college years, as my father had gotten injured in his job a couple of months before. His inability to work meant that my family’s rent would not be paid and they would have less to eat. I had to take an extra job and worked long hours to scrape enough money to send home. The Town & Gown Scholarship was a lifeline; it allowed me to continue my studies. By investing in me, they were saying that my story mattered. I had value to them.

Beyond the financial support, the members of Town & Gown gave me an invaluable boost in confidence. I had a group of wonderful people who believed in me! This has made all the difference in my career. Moreover, their choice to support an immigrant stands starkly against the unwelcoming and often violent rhetoric that has always been a part of American immigration history. I will always be grateful to the folks at Town & Gown who chose to stand with me.

Nhat-Dang Do, MA
PhD Student in Political Science, UC San Diego

My life has been marked by challenge, beginning with my family’s immigration from Mexico to the San Joaquin Valley, where my parents worked in the fields.  During the summers, I worked in the grape fields and sold corn and watermelons door to door in hundreds of streets in different towns.  

Rather than resenting the hardships I’ve faced living as an immigrant with parents who are field workers, I’ve come to embrace them.  These experiences inspired me to become a physician because I’ve seen and experienced healthcare disparities and inequities in rural and underserved communities.  I am responsible to try to help these populations.

My twin, a Harvard undergrad, and I felt a sense of duty to our previous rural community.  Thus, we decided to establish a mentoring program called ACE (Alliance for Change and Empowerment) to inspire underrepresented and low-income students... to empower them to apply to scholarships, attend college and make their dreams a reality.

Thanks to Town and Gown, and everyone at UCSD, I hope to continue my American Dream of giving back by instilling health and education throughout (underserved) communities. I intend to become a doctor not only to help my family, but also to give back to UCSD. (Note: while still in med school, Omar contributed to the T&G scholarship appeal.)  

(Note: Omar was accepted at every medical school to which he applied, including UCSD, Harvard and Stanford, but since his twin brother was already at Harvard, he felt he had to be as close as possible to his aging parents, so he attended UCLA and earned an MD in Internal Medicine in 2019. Today, Omar is a Resident Physician at UCSF Medical Center. When he’s not in the hospital, you can find Omar out on a run across the city, dancing salsa or playing soccer and tennis with friends!)

Omar Viramontes, MD

Resident Physician, UCSF Medical Center

Omar and Octavio's inspiring story was highlighted on CBS in June 2019: https://www.cbsnews.com/video/immigrant-twins-who-picked-grapes-in-california-graduate-from-medical-school/

My post-college life has continued on an upward spiral, despite the flux of the pandemic. After Commencement in June, I embarked on a refreshing two-week trip to Colorado with my friends, where I reconnected with the outdoors and collected myself for the next adventure. Upon returning to San Diego, I dove into training as a Medical Interpreter at Palomar Hospital, while, simultaneously, my summer research project and public health internship kicked off in full force.

The first half of my internship was part of ULMSP, a program designed to guide incoming transfer students from disadvantaged backgrounds into life as a UCSD student, while setting the foundation for a future track into health professional schools. I got to know our cohort of 13 bright and excited students quite well, and in four weeks as the Research Coordinator, we developed individual research projects and posters on disparities related to the field of public health. It was a joy and honor to see my students thrive so openly!

In the second half of the internship, I collaborated with the four HCOE (Hispanic Center of Excellence) campuses in California - UCSD, UCSF, Stanford, and Berkeley - to study the inner workings of their Medical Spanish coursework offerings. Geared towards students in medicine and Cal's Masters of Social Work, my analysis was tailored towards the pros, cons and areas for improvement that an adjacent grant renewal would be using as means for expanding the HCOE initiative.

Moreover, I elaborated on a summer research project at the Health Frontiers in Tijuana clinic, run collectively by medical students from both San Diego and Tijuana. My aim? To develop a free and easily accessible mindfulness meditation program for clinic patients, some of whom endured the most challenging conditions in the tumultuous sprawl of the international border. I had great fun designing a protocol for them to use - albeit remotely - and would like to expand this effort with meditation into future endeavors.

The shift into Fall 2021 sprouted another opportunity, as I joined the team at a neurosurgery clinic as the Clinic Department Lead. My multifaceted role, ranging from managing the complex patient schedule, taking vitals and patient history, and scribing and interpreting (in Spanish as well!) was challenging but rewarding to master. I learned a large deal about the behind-the-scenes machinery of running a practice, as well as the ebb and flow of interaction between providers and patients. This experience has cemented my role in healthcare, though, I admit, I am open to more specialties than ever before!

In 2022, I aim to develop my clinical experiences further, potentially explore medical interpreting at UCSD School of Medicine, and make time for the little joys in life such as hiking, weightlifting, yoga and wildlife photography. I won't forget to apply to medical school as well! Ultimately, I owe the entire Town and Gown family another huge thanks for their fantastic support and camaraderie, and wish only the greatest success to all its present and future scholars.

Best,
Alejandro Dauguet

I wanted to send an update to the Town & Gown board on what I have been doing since I've received my scholarship. During the past year, I have learned so much about myself and where I want my future to go.

For the past year, I was a Teaching Assistant for the Rady's School of Management where I assisted my professor with the class: "Managing Diverse Teams." It was an opportunity I had not originally expected to receive, considering I was a Neurobiology major and had only minored in business. However, I resonated with its message of diversity and how to create an inclusive environment. I learned a lot about my role as a teacher but also a listener to the various stories from my students.

I also became the Patient Assistance Program (PAP) Pre-Health Lead at the UCSD Student-Run Free Clinic, where I play a vital role in ordering free medications for patients with no income, no insurance, and no Social Security number. My role coordinates between PAP volunteers, pharmacy students, and the on-site family physician to ensure patients receive the medications that they deserve and need.

This last summer, I continued to be a Camp Kesem counselor as I was when I applied for the Town & Gown scholarship. I worked with 7–8-year-olds who have been impacted by their parent's cancer. They were absolutely adorable, and I would love to share stories about how wonderful these kids were! I plan to continue being a part of Camp Kesem for my final year at UCSD, and hopefully see these kids in-person before I graduate.

Lastly, a couple of months ago, I accepted a research assistant position at the Center for Healthy Eating and Activity Research, where I am on the CHARGE study that researches methods of treating binge eating disorder and overweight issues in veterans. This position has helped me understand more about health and diet, as well as the research methods behind resolving unhealthy eating habits. The environment is welcoming to learning and I have enjoyed being a part of this lab!

Outside of extracurriculars, I have picked up a couple of hobbies as well. I love taking care of houseplants and made my best attempt at outdoor gardening this past summer. Unfortunately, I was not successful, but I am staying hopeful for this spring! I am also learning how to cook quick and healthy meals, especially as a busy student. At the moment, I don't have a set plan yet, but I have my heart set on creating a community program that teaches families about cooking together. Cooking as a family introduces kids to the kitchen at a younger age and can create positive dietary change and prevention. I want to put more thought into it when the time is better. I am hoping when the time comes around, I can rely on Town & Gown for guidance on organizing said program!

Although the past year in a pandemic has had its ups and downs for me, I am fortunate for the opportunities in front of me. This year has shown me that I would like to put my focus on helping my local community. Through my jobs and experience, I have learned so much about the various people that make up the San Diego community, including students, families, under-served communities, and nonprofits, like Town & Gown, who want to see me succeed. Being a part of the growth of the San Diego community has been such an honor and I hope to continue this as I stay in San Diego.

Sally Nguyen
Third Year Neurobiology Student, UC San Diego

I am in the third year of six in my plastic surgery residency at UC Irvine. We do everything from breast reconstruction for patients with cancer, hand surgery, cleft lip and palate, general reconstructive and of course cosmetics. I have been quite productive during the past few years. I have around 27 publications in major plastic surgery journals, I have 3 patents in technology that I inventented that I think will have a big impact on patients’ lives. One has to do with delivery of super oxygenated solutions for acute and chronic wounds, the other uses projectors to guide surgical incisions for intricate procedures such as cleft lip. I  have a free app on the Apple App Store called OR-Stencil which is for surgical reconstruction, and finally, I am working on a device to pressure offload pressure sores which will be a nice alternative to the very expensive air/fluid mattresses.

It's great to hear from Town & Gown. I’m still grateful for the scholarship!

After graduating summa cum laude from UCSD, I applied and was accepted with a full scholarship to the MBA program at NYU Stern School of Business. There, I received an MBA with a focus in International Business and Machine Learning.  I graduated at the top of my class as the Kenshi Oshima Scholar and even managed to study in Beijing, Sao Paulo, and Tokyo.ck to Southern California – here’s a quick update: I’m doing well and just recently moved ba

I started my career in Dubai as a consultant for McKinsey & Company, an international management consulting firm. I spent the formative years of my career in the Middle East including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE where I worked in a number of industries including mining, finance, and healthcare. I was part of a strategic response team for a major healthcare crisis in Saudi Arabia that affected pilgrims traveling on Hajj (annual pilgrimage to Mecca) and I supported the development of a national health insurance institution in a GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) country – which fought to offer healthcare to migrant blue-collar workers. 

After several years of working in the Middle East, I got married to my wife, Kristen, who I met at UCSD while together on the competitive ballroom dance team.  We decided to transfer to the United States, and I started to focus more on advanced analytics and artificial intelligence for fortune 500 companies.  I moved to Boston and launched the North American “QuantumBlack” office, which is an arm of McKinsey that focuses on using machine learning algorithms to create business value. I spent several years there, growing the office and serving clients using advanced analytics in a range of industries including semiconductors, airlines, automotive manufacturers, and defense contractors. 

I’m now an Associate Partner at McKinsey and recently moved back to Southern California to expand QuantumBlack on the West Coast.  Hopefully, not bad for someone who graduated the bottom half of his class out of high school – and I’m forever thankful that UCSD took a gamble and accepted this enlisted Marine Corps Vet who was given more chances than he deserves and is grateful for it.

Kevin Staight, MBA

Expert Associate Partner, QuantumBlack

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Emily R. Paris '20

Biochemistry and Cell Biology :: Bebe and Marvin Zigman Scholar 2019-2020

I am a second-year PhD student in Earth System Science with an emphasis on Astrobiology at Stanford University.  I study microbial life in extreme environments on Earth to help NASA determine how and where to look for life on other planets. The NASA-funded project I am working on is called “Oceans Across Space and Time” (OAST) and includes opportunities to work with renowned professors from universities around the United States, including the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and Georgia Tech. OAST focuses on determining the limits of life in hypersaline lakes on land and in the ocean. I specialize in a technique called nanoSIMS, which measures the metabolic activities of individual cells in the environment. After graduate school, I hope to become a scientist at NASA, where I can analyze samples from Mars and Europa for signs of past or present life.

Starting my PhD during a global pandemic was a major challenge, as it required me to undergo virtual lab training and work long hours by myself for most of the year. Despite this challenge, I feel I have found a home at Stanford with a great group of friends from around the world, access to incredible resources, and a supportive community of researchers.

Outside of lab, I am an avid SCUBA diver and dive in Monterey almost every weekend. I also enjoy running, swimming, and rock climbing daily, and have found a dance studio nearby for the occasional ballet class. I was recently accepted into the Explorers Club as a Term Member for my 2019 field work with orca pods in Norway and other scientific endeavors that were completed at UC San Diego.

I credit my acceptance and success at Stanford to Town & Gown for providing financial stability during my undergraduate studies so I could focus on research opportunities that prepared me for graduate school. Thank you, Town & Gown!

Emily R. Paris
PhD Student in Earth System Science at Stanford University

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Jasmine Herrera '11, MPH/MSW '18, LSW '19

Ethnic Studies and Sociocultural Anthropology :: Town & Gown Scholar 2009-2010

I am a native Californian and Town and Gown recipient who now resides in Pittsburgh, an excellent blue-collar city, with a strong and intertwined network of community services. As the family advocate/ counselor for 2 EARN programs, operated by Grant Associates, Inc., COVID brought both challenges and opportunities for growth. I have had to adjust to many changes that include providing counseling to clients via the phone and virtual space, preparing a work-from-home location with enough comfort and privacy, and remaining in constant communication with my teammates. I am humbled by the space my clients share with me to discuss their concerns and to take the steps to overcome their stressor(s).  Some client stressors pre-COVID and during COVID include but are not limited to job loss, homelessness, family loss, childcare loss/need, depression/anxiety, and other mental health concerns due to compounding stressors, domestic violence, and more. excellent blue-collar city, with a strong and intertwined network of community services. As a Pennsylvania licensed social worker, I provide mental health services at 2 workforce programs that assist in job search and training to clients receiving cash assistance and/or food stamps. I moved to Pittsburgh in 2015 to attend the University of Pittsburgh and in 2018, I received my masters of public health and masters of social work. Shortly after graduating in 2018, I studied and passed the social work state licensure exam allowing for specialized counseling support to clients along with providing community resource coordination.

I value training and credentials available in my field and plan to take the exam in the next year to become a certified health education specialist (CHES), a nationally accredited credential in public health through the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC). I plan to continue to use my credentials for the overall wellness of my clients, and to grow as a leader in the field of health and social services.

Thank you to Town and Gown for supporting my dream of serving the community.

Jasmine Herrera, MPH, LSW
Family Advocate / Counselor

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Ericca Speed '17, MS '18

Chemical Engineering :: Elizabeth & Joseph Taft Scholar 2016-2017

Many things have happened in my life since being named the 2016-2017 Elizabeth & Joseph Taft Scholar, but I can still feel the lasting impact of the Town & Gown Scholarship, and I treasure the connections I have made through this group. Since finishing my B.S. in Chemical Engineering in 2017, I have completed my M.S. in Chemical Engineering, and taken on a full time position at the company I had interned with through my later college days, RASIRC. During my M.S. degree I was a teaching assistant for my peers in the first-year and senior Chemical Engineering laboratory classes. This was an extremely fulfilling and valuable experience to teach others while gaining a better understanding of my field in the process.

Since graduating from the M.S. program at UC San Diego in Spring 2018, I began work as the BRUTE Hydrazine Product Manager at RASIRC, working in Colorado on production of chemicals for application in the semiconductor industry. In this position I have been able to use the skills I learned in school, as well as pick up many more along the way.

Thank you once again to Elizabeth Taft and UC San Diego Town & Gown, I am honored to have been chosen as the 2016-2017 Elizabeth & Joseph Taft Scholar. This scholarship greatly supported my academic endeavors and has helped to put me on a path to lifelong success.

With gratitude,
Ericca Speed”

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Yang Lu

Clinical Psychology :: Town & Gown Scholar 2017-2018

I am a proud Town & Gown Scholar from the 2017-18 school year. Since receiving the scholarship, I have been able to pursue my academic endeavors and explore extracurricular activities without financial concern. In my third year of university, I continue to serve as vice president for UC San Diego's psychology club and chapter of Psi Chi — an international honor society in psychology. We have expanded from about five active members to a membership of over 200.

With immense appreciation for the support of our community, our student organization prioritizes volunteer service as a method of giving back. We have donated supplies, served food, and facilitated art activities with the Storefront homeless shelter. We also participate in intergenerational talks with the geriatric population at Casa Manana. Witnessing the growth of the organization is a testament to my own development as a student and a community member as well.

I am excited to be applying my coursework in psychology through these community events. Moving forward, I am excited to spearhead the launch of UCSD's very own undergraduate psychology research journal.

Thank you for your continuous generosity! I am forever grateful as a fortunate recipient.

Respectfully,
Yang Lu