Celina is a student in the College of Arts and Sciences at Penn who plans to major in Biochemistry and minor in Data Science. She is drawn to the intersection of science and human experience, and wants to better understand how healthcare disparities shape people’s lives. After witnessing how systemic lack of representation in research causes stark disparities in treatment, she became interested in using data science as a tool to bring these stories to light. Through her experience performing piano at memory care centers, she has come to appreciate the many ways healing can happen—whether through medicine, conversation, or music.
During her time at Penn, Celina strives to participate in local initiatives. On campus, she enjoys tutoring through the West Philadelphia Tutoring Project at Civic House and seeing firsthand how education empowers youth. She is also involved with the Student Harm Reduction Coalition and works alongside organizations like The Everywhere Project and the Center for Addiction and Medicine Policy to support individuals affected by substance use disorders. Through the Penn Science Policy Diplomacy Group, Celina aims to learn how to translate biomedical advancements from lab to patient using the intersection of healthcare, business, and advocacy.
As an SNF Paideia Fellow, Celina is excited to explore where science, communication, and service meet. She wants to understand how conversation can bring people together and apply this insight when she enters the medical field to help shape a healthcare system that is innovative, patient-focused, and equitable.