Andrew is a student in the School of Engineering and Applied Science, with an interest in Bioengineering. Andrew likes to search for the truth, and his life goal is to use the truth to create devices or solutions to medical problems to improve people’s lives. Through this process, Andrew is conscious that it is inevitable to encounter bioethical questions. He believes that since everything is learned through perspective, it is imperative to learn with others from different backgrounds and opinions so as to have a more holistic picture and understanding of both scientific and social topics. He is interested in exploring complex contemporary issues through respectful discussion, finding ways to have conversations about controversial, yet pertinent topics. In high school Andrew participated in Ethics Bowl and competed in the National High School Ethics Bowl (NHSEB) which promotes respectful, supportive, and rigorous discussion of ethics among high school students. Andrew wants to utilize his experiences with NHSEB to cultivate spaces at Penn for important but difficult topics to be discussed.
In high school, Andrew helped autistic children at Friends of Children with Special Needs (FCSN). Through this experience, he learned how to communicate with the autistic children, and also learned the needs of the autistic community. Andrew started the FCSN LEGO Job Training Program to provide young adults who have autism a creative outlet with future potential. He also proposed a bill to his state assembly member to grant tax benefits to companies and individuals who buy products or services from businesses that employ a large number of people with special needs. From his experience at FCSN, Andrew learned to adapt and effectively communicate with different people, identify the needs of the community and find solutions he can work toward to help the community.
Through the SNF Paideia Fellowship Program, Andrew hopes to grow and become a better person with a more complete understanding to fulfill his goal of improving people’s lives in a community of students and staff that are open minded and eager to change the world for the better.