First Post: Ten important places that I have visited!

Me in Old San Juan

My name is Laura Y. Torres Cruz. I was born on February 11, 1992. Currently, I am senior student at University of Puerto Rico- Rio Piedras Campus (UPR-RPC) in the General Sciences Interdisciplinary Program. My short-term goals are to complete my Bachelor’s degree in Sciences and to pursue a MD degree. I consider myself very persistent and determinant person. My favorite food is seafood and sushi. My two passions in life are research and medicine. I like the ocean because it allows me to feel free, unstressed and peaceful. Between my priorities in my life are God, my family, friends and the person that I love. I consider myself like a woman of God and scientist of the sciences. 

Niagara Falls, Canada

In addition, I love to travel, know new persons and learn more about different cultures and countries. During my life I have had different experiences that have let me grow as a person. I have visited different places in which I have learned great things. Some of these places are shown below.

Me in Ontario Lake at Oswego

1) SUNY at Oswego

2) Eliz’s House at Cidra, P.R

3) UPR-RPC, San Juan, P.R

4) New York City, USA

5) Niagara Falls, Canada & USA

6) Cruise, Caribbean Islands (Curacao, Aruba, Saint  Thomas & Saint Martin)-  Adventure of the Sea

7) Harvard Medical School (HMS) in Dr. George Church Lab, Department of Genetics at Center for Casual Consequences of Variation; Boston, Massachusetts

8) El Conquistador at Fajardo, P.R

9) Orlando, Florida (Disney)

10) Old San Juan at P.R & Grandparents' House at Carolina, P.R

Dr. George Church and Me at
Harvard Medical School

All of the previous places that I mentioned have been very significant in my life, because in these journeys I had the opportunity to learn more about life and the different cultures. However, the experience most significant from these places was when I went to HMS. I lived one of the most meaningful experiences during my participation in the Summer Research Internship (MAP Program 2013) at HMS in Church Lab. I had the opportunity to participate in a research project entitled: “Gene replacement among genes with similar sequences via the CRISPR system”. This project allowed me to learn more about research related to genomics and human genetics concepts that were linked with the Shadowing Program at Children’s Hospital Boston and the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in which I participated as an observer. There, I also contributed as a volunteer in the Brigham and Women’s Hospital at Boston. These experiences were pretty important to my life and professional career because it confirmed my original desires of becoming a medical doctor. In addition to the professional experiences, I also had the opportunity to enjoy Boston, Massachusetts as one of the greatest places that I have visited in my life. In Boston I went to the Aquarium, Fine Art Museum, Isabella Garden Museum, Quincy Market, Fenway Park, Salem Witch Museum and Salem Town between others. I also visited different restaurants like Neighborhood’s Coffee and Crepes, “Vejigantes” and Bubble Tea that are my favorites. Definitively, these experiences help me to grow as a person and professional.

University of Puerto Rico- Rio Piedras Campus

Madison Square Garden, New York City