Eduardo Casillas

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

Being a First Generation College Graduate means being resilient and not being afraid to take risks. I appreciate my parents so much because they provided me with everything they could in life to see me succeed. There was always underlying pressure to do well because I knew how hard my parents worked in this country and I wanted to make their sacrifice worth it. They motivated me every day. At times the pressure could be overwhelming, but in the end, all of the long nights were worth it. I now have an opportunity to pay it forward to the next generation.

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

My proudest moment from my time at UCSD was getting my first A in a tough biology course. I proved to myself that I could do it against all the odds. It gave me motivation and confidence that I was capable of doing it again and validation that I was exactly where I was supposed to be.

• 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?

Thank you Jake for teaching me that you dont have to agree on everything but you can still be best friends.

Thank you Bryan for being my Day 1, literally. We were both the "two tall mexican guys" of the suite and I was so lucky to have you as a friend. Thank you for teaching me to take life one day at a time.

Thank you Allston and Michelle for being there always. I love that even though we didnt see eachother as much during our years off campus we still kept up with eachother as if nothing changed.

Thank you Janki, Carla, Avianne, and Ananya for accepting me for who I am into your group and always being real with me and were honest. I care for you all more than you know.

Thank you Jackie, Ana, Cheli, and Aina... a.k.a "the neighbors". We were so lucky to meet you all during our second year and I will always cherish those moments with you all. Thank you Jackie for your friendship. I know it will last a lifetime and I was so lucky to call you my friend these last 3 years.

I want to thank Diana. Thank you for always being there for me through the ups and downs. You were my rock these last three years and we have grown so much together. Thank you.

Lastly, I want to thank my family for all of their support. My dad, Ernesto, for all of the advice and motivation and my mother, Esperanza, for all the emotional support. Thank you Tito and Erica for answering my late night calls and advice. I love you.

• 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?

I would like to thank Dr. Christina Johnson for teaching me not to give up. My very first college exam was in your general chemistry class Fall 2016 and I completely bombed it. I was not prepared for the rigor of UCSD and the quarter system, but you taught me that with hard work I could pull myself out of the trenches and succeed. The irony about this story is that I ended up loving chemistry in the process. Thank you to Dr. Hoeger for teaching me that I was meant to be here at UCSD. I got my first A in a science course while taking your organic chemistry class. This "A" symbolized to me that I was capable of achieving academic success at a prestigious university. Thank you Dr. Day and Dr. Burg for teaching me creativity and cultivating my passion for science. You have had such a deep impact in the way I approach this field and I know that I will always remember your kindness. Your passion for teaching lit a spark in me that will remain with me forever. Thank you to everyone at OASIS for your acceptance and guidance all of these years. If it wasn't for OASIS MSTP I would not have been where I am today.

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

After graduation I plan to take the MCAT and begin the application process to medical school. Throughout the next year I hope to gain experience in independent research and public health. My long term goals are to practice family or internal medicine in underrepresented communities.

Campus Affiliations

Campus Involvement

• UCSD Flying Samaritans: Public Health Officer

• OASIS MSTP: Workshop Facilitator

• American Medical Student Association: Member

• UC San Diego Health: Volunteer

Cultural and Resource Centers

• Raza Resource Centro