Diversity Scholarship Recipients

Meet Jonathan and Lela, PeproTech’s 2021/2022 Diversity Scholarship Recipients

The PeproTech Team got together to congratulate and celebrate Jonathan and Lela.

We invite you to learn more about what makes these two aspiring individuals so special.

 

 

A: Jonathan

The Spirituality of Imperfection. It is a book I received from my mentor Dr. Scoot Cook. It had a significant impact on who I am. The book shares ways to think and approach life that I believe are lost in today’s day and age. This book has taught me it is okay to be imperfect because as humans, we are simply that. This realization is what keeps us all connected, not our strengths, but our weaknesses. I am becoming more spiritually mature, letting go of physical entities as a source of happiness, and looking inside myself for joy.

A: Lela

My KOA and scuba diving magnets. I hold these two magnets close to my heart because they remind me how crucial my family is to me. Growing up, most of my vacations were spent outside hiking, rock climbing, or camping. The campsite magnet represents the memories of tent camping in the middle of pouring rain. The second magnet is from a scuba diving trip. It reminds me of my sister because she convinced me to get certified with her. Being underwater and at one with nature reminded me how small we are and how much we do not know about the world.

A: Jonathan

I did not choose LaSalle, but on reflecting on my experiences here, I believe LaSalle chose me. LaSalle University was the closest school to me after I became homeless post high school graduation. My professors, Dr.Church, Dr. Price, Dr. Kramer, Dr. Femia, Professor Laura Grande, and countless others have let me be unapologetically myself. There were times I did not have enough money to register for classes and weeks later was registering for classes through their efforts. They believe in me, and I am eternally grateful for my relationships with each of them.

A: Lela

During my first experience on Georgia Tech's campus, I was late and lost. But despite that, several factors made me feel more at home than any other college. The passion and kindness of the students, especially the life-saving student who showed me the right way without hesitation, drew me into the welcoming atmosphere of campus life. Georgia Tech nurtures the soul and caters to student needs, from the many food trucks on the green--because the stomach is the way to my heart--to the peaceful beauty of the modern staircase in the Clough Undergraduate Learning Commons. Undoubtedly, Georgia Tech is perfect for me because I can hone my skills, explore and nurture my passion without limitations, and feel welcome in this community.

A: Jonathan

My family inspires me. I can write a book about each one of them, but my mother Marie Gladys Jean-Baptiste is my battery. She suffered permanent nerve damage when I was an adolescent and since then I have considered her my first patient. She calls me every here and there and she greets me with unmatchable energy and love. Even with her condition and inability to support me financially through college, she provides for me mentally and spiritually. Seeing her smile and laugh through trials gives me every reason to do the same and it would be an injustice for me to not do so.

A: Lela

Growing up I found comfort in watching shows with my family as a way to escape the world and forget about all the school drama. My favorite genre was action movies, and I would spend hours watching good guys and bad guys. I never really cared that none of them looked like me. I was just amazed by the lengths they go to protect the ones they love and fight for what is right. When my dad introduced me to Tomb Raider, I was immediately stunned by the fictional character Lara Croft. It was the first time I saw a woman playing such a badass and lead role. More... Until then, the female characters always felt overshadowed by the man. This was the first time it made me feel like I could be a leader; I do not need someone to save me if something goes wrong. To my younger self, it gave me something to look up to and strive for. I wanted to be as intelligent, strong, beautiful, and eloquent as Lara Croft. This movie helped me feel more comfortable in my skin. It helped me realize that my happiness should never depend on how other people feel or think about me. Never once did Lara apologize for her actions if they went against the status quo. She kept pushing forward and never once looked back, being true to herself. I plan to do the same.

A: Jonathan

As previously mentioned, I look at my mother as my first patient. I have been her caretaker with a homecare professional company for 4.5 years and counting. My new found mentor Dr. Cook also inspires me as a Sports Medicine physician. I aspire to do the same line of work. I feel like all I know how to do is empathize and care for others. Couple that with my love of sports having been a three-sport athlete in high school who was riddled with injury, I believe I can stop the next athlete from having the same ailments I once had. With housing insecurity being the main barrier for me throughout my years of undergraduate, I also want to prove to the people struggling with the same situation that it is not where you are at that matters, but where you come from.

A: Lela

I am going to be a biomedical engineer. This neuron I am holding was a special gift from my sister when I graduated high school. She said it was my last brain cell, so I bring it with me everywhere. I knew from a very young age, I wanted to change the world. This past year has been a year of growth, stress, sadness, and hope. I was pushed to my limits, physically and mentally, but in that place saw myself grow and become a better person. I learned what my true beliefs are and the extent I will go to educate people about them. I was very fortunate to be able to have an internship over the summer and a research assistant position during the school year. Those experiences taught me I want to be at the forefront of solving problems. More... With the COVID-19 crisis, disparities in the education and health sector are evident. Everyone wants to focus on solving their piece of the puzzle while they completely miss out on the bigger picture. I especially felt this way when reading updates about the COVID-19 vaccine. The scientist who created the vaccine did amazing and groundbreaking work, but it is falling short of its full potential because of the limitations in US medical infrastructure and the lack of understanding of what the other divisions do. That is why I was so disappointed in the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. This got me thinking about how I want to use my degree to help inform people about the need for a holistic approach to things. In school, we are taught many classes in a bubble and choose to ignore certain parts like regulation, document control, and Intellectual property. I want to be a part of the new generation that changes a single-minded approach and pushes for people to get a more holistic view so that they can see how their achievement affects the whole system.