Gage Marquez

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

To me, being a first-generation college student means going where no Marquez has gone before. As a first-generation college graduate, it's my job to create a path for generations of family to follow. Just like my family has sacrificed so much for me to live a better life, I hope to pay it forward one day when I have kids of my own.

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

My proudest moment was qualifying and training to compete in the 2019 Boston Marathon while simultaneously balancing school and work. Running has always been my outlet and is one of the major aspects that define who I am. Being able to compete at 21 years old in a world renowned competition while managing a full time workload of school and work to pay my expenses makes me both proud and blessed to say I was able to do it all!

• 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?

I want to thank some amazing friends at UCSD who stuck with me from start to finish. To Mark Choe, Justin Burger, Edmund Lau, Edgar Lopez, Atul Antil, Brad Poteray, Imran McGrath, and Kaylee Bashor, thank you all for making these last 4 years of mine some of the best. To my family: Mom and Dad, I love you both so much. Thank you for making my dream come true and thank you for always loving me for who I am. To my brothers, Kylan and Chase, I love you both and wish the best for you two! To my loving grandparents, thank you for always spoiling me and being there to support me!

• 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?

Professor Michael Burg was one of the most knowledgeable and personable professors I had ever met. I would like to thank him for everything he taught me. Sherry Mallory, the Revelle College Dean of Student Affairs, and Shannon O'Brien, the Revelle College Dean of Academic Affairs, supported me during the most challenging of times and I am forever grateful for them both being there for me. Lastly, I want to thank my Student Success Coach Jennifer Esocbar for all of the wisdom and support she gave to help me graduate.

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

After graduation, I will be transitioning to a full time position at a medical software company that I have been interning at for the last 2.5 years called CorTechs Labs. There, I will be apart of a team that works to use AI to aid doctors in the diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases.

In the long-term, I plan to eventually go back to school for an MBA. I intend to use that degree to help build my career in the biotech industry. I also plan to continue to live in San Diego as it truly is America's Finest City.

Campus Affiliations

Campus Involvement

• VP of External Relations NDAA (Neurodegenerative Disease Awareness Association)

• UCSD Telephone Outreach Program Fundraiser

Student Retention & Success Programs

• Student Success Coaching Program