Mary Alarcon

• What does being a First-Generation College Graduate mean to you?

Being a first-generation college graduate means that no matter the hardships I have encountered, as long as I don't give up, the sky's the limit.

• What is your proudest moment from your time at UCSD?

My proudest moment was getting accepted into the Salk institute thanks to the experience I had in the neurobiology laboratory course at UCSD where I discovered my passion for intracellular recording.

• Who are the family members, friends or loved ones who have been most influential throughout your college journey? Are there any words of gratitude you would like to share with them?

My mother has always believed in me and she is the reason I have made it this far.

• Who are the staff, faculty or mentors who have been most influential throughout your college journey? Are there any words of gratitude you would like to share with them?

Dr. Juavinette for sharing the research position application from Salk and for teaching me neurobiology lab techniques. Dr. Lim for stimulating my mind and helping me find what area of research I am interested in.

• What do you plan or hope to do after graduating?

Short-term is to receive my masters in Biology because I am part of the BS/MS program. Long-term is to get accepted into an MD/Ph.D program and I hope to become a researcher and a surgeon.

Campus Affiliations

Campus Involvement

• Creative Designer for the publicity committee - Minority Association of Premed Students

• Research Assistant - Anagnostaras' Laboratory

• Instructional Assistant - Genetics and Cellular Biology

Student Retention & Success Programs

• Triton Transfer Hub