Damian Torres is a 21-year-old biology student pursuing a path to medical school and a career as a physician. He wants to build practical AI literacy and understand how the technology can be used to close healthcare and education gaps in the communities he comes from. He brings more than 500 hours of community service, hands-on volunteer work in a pediatric acute care setting, independent research experience, and leadership roles in student STEM and pre-health organizations. His long-term goal is to practice medicine in the Inland Empire with the cultural competence and compassion his community needs.
Relevant Skills and Experience
- Community service and direct support: More than 500 hours of service, including mentoring middle school students and volunteering with youth in a pediatric acute care unit, where he focuses on making patients feel comfortable and seen.
- Research and independent project work: Has completed multiple independent semester research projects in cell and molecular biology and organismal biology, plus a community health project examining diabetes impact in the Inland Empire.
- Scientific and technical coursework: Strong foundation in biology, organic chemistry, statistics and probability, and calculus-based physics, with demonstrated ability to handle heavy concurrent course loads.
- Leadership and outreach: Serves in officer roles for student pre-health and STEM organizations, coordinating outreach efforts and representing peers in an organizing capacity.
- Growth mindset and resilience: Turned a mid-semester D in an advanced biology course into a near-A finish by changing his approach rather than lowering his goal. Treats struggle as information rather than defeat.
- Entrepreneurial and operational experience: Co-runs a small events business, handling scheduling, logistics, setup, and customer coordination.
- Communication and empathy: Comfortable working with people in difficult moments, motivated by a strong sense of reciprocity and service, and able to connect with community members across different backgrounds.