CHS Houston Endowment Awardees Reflect on Successes

Published September 29, 2022
By Darlene Muguiro
UTEP College of Health Sciences

Abril Castrejon, Elizabeth Escapita, Anamaria Solis, and Valeria Valencia were selected as the 2021-22 Houston Endowment award recipients for the College of Health Sciences. The Houston Endowment’s professional development and scholarship funds aim to support outstanding undergraduates within each of UTEP’s academic units who have also been declared honors program inductees. Annually, each of the colleges review applications from among a select group of students and selects the most promising proposals for funding. Awardees from the 21-22 academic year received funding this past spring and summer.

Solis, a freshman Social Work major who received a prestigious scholarship commitment of $2,000 per year for up to four years, says that the funding will allow her to dedicate more time to her studies and volunteer work, as well as to preparing a competitive future application to graduate school.

“I plan to utilize this funding for UTEP EDGE experiences, which will enrich my graduate school applications,” she said. “For example, part of the funding will be used toward a research conference where I will present my work through the social work lens. Many of these experiences require travel, and the support will help offset these costs.”

Castrejon, a sophomore Clinical Laboratory Sciences major, received a $500 award in the late summer that she dedicated toward professional development activities. Castrejon yearned for the opportunity to work in a laboratory setting, but as an international student, she did not qualify for many programs that provide financial support for student clinicians. With the funding from The Houston Endowment, she spent her summer volunteering in the laboratory of Dr. XiuJun “James” Li, a biochemistry professor, and shared the results of her studies at the COURI symposium for undergraduate students. She plans to continue volunteering in the fall, improving her clinical skills and branching into new studies in Dr. Li’s lab.

“I learned how to use different instruments in the lab and how to present data, making effective graphs of my results. I still have a lot to learn, but before this summer, I didn't have the knowledge I have now of these things, and I'm beyond grateful for that,” she said, adding, “This fall, I will be working on developing a chip device that allows us to test MRSA and MSSA simultaneously, improving the timing of the test and its effectiveness.”

Valencia, a senior Rehabilitation Sciences major who also received a $500 award in the late summer, said she planned to apply the funds toward costs associated with the GRE test and preparation for the exam. She plans to pursue a graduate degree in Occupational Therapy.

“The process of applying to graduate school is not easy by any means, but UTEP has provided me with the resources to make it trouble-free, helping me focus on constructing the strongest application possible,” she said.

Escapita, a former Public Health major, used her spring 2022 award toward costs associated with HOSA’s (Health Occupations Students of America) state and international leadership conferences, where she competed in the Health Career Photography event, eventually placing second in her category at both the state and international levels.

“I showcased three of my own photos of health professionals in action and delivered a three-minute speech about the importance of the profession,” she said. “I have been able to improve my leadership qualities and skills, strengthen my academic and technical skills, and establish meaningful friendships and social networks. The skills that I acquired during the conferences will help me become a better leader and physician in the future.”

Dr. Sudip Bajpeyi, associate professor of Kinesiology and director of the CHS Honors Program, said that each of the students was selected based on their stellar academic record and professional pursuits.

“The support from the Houston Endowment is helping to advance the professional and career goals of these students,” he said. “They are outstanding representatives of the College of Health Sciences, and we are very proud of them.”

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