Junior remembers taking biology for the first time with former Cristo Rey Philadelphia High School science teacher Ms. Eva Porter. “She sparked a curiosity in me and the content felt natural. I felt a calling towards science to learn more.” Junior was able to further explore his interests when he was placed at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) for one of his Corporate Work Study jobs. Over the course of two years, he received a range of experiences in healthcare. 

“The Work-Study Program not only allowed me to explore my career interests, but taught me how to better communicate my ideas, how to build meaningful relationships, and how to be more confident and trusting of myself.” 

At Haverford College, Junior used the skills he gained from Cristo Rey to share his gifts with his friends, mentors, and professors. Coming from an untraditional family background, and as a first-generation student, his community at Haverford College uplifted him to be the first in his family to receive a Bachelor of Science in Biology in the spring of 2022. Soon after, Junior began working at his former place of Corporate Work Study employment, CHOP.

Returning full-time to CHOP as a Research Technician II, Junior works in Dr. Scott Canna’s laboratory to study how the immune system defends, and at times overprotects, itself from diseases. “There’s been a steep learning curve and adjustment so far, but I persevere because I want to contribute to advancement in science and better understand diseases affecting children.” Junior’s goals are to gain more confidence and experience in his scientific methods and first-author research papers before heading to graduate school for a Ph.D. in Biology. Junior envisions becoming a teacher just like Ms. Porter to pay it forward: “STEM can be inaccessible for many underrepresented students, such as myself, and I hope to bring change to education and make the sciences accessible to all people.”

Originally published in Cristo Rey Philadelphia High School's 2022 Impact Report.