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Spotlight on "Student Success 2008" - February 2008

Alexander D. Ponce, CSP Senior,
B.S. Cellular and Molecular Biology, May 2009

I have lived my entire life in Alhambra, CA which is right outside of Los Angeles. I am the second child of Phillip and Connie Ponce and have an older brother by the name of Eddie who works for the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department. I was one of the few students graduating from Alhambra High School who left the state of California and the only one to attend the University of Michigan. I decided to come to the University of Michigan because it is one of the top schools in the country and has a great combination of academics and athletics. These strengths were important to me because I am a fan and avid basketball player. I am currently a junior here at the university majoring in Cell and Molecular Biology and planning to attend medical school once I graduate.

At Michigan I have done research through the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP) my freshman and sophomore year. I was also a practice player for the Women's Varsity Basketball Team my first two years. Last year I was a model in the annual Bronze Elegance Fashion show on campus. This past summer I studied abroad through The Michigan in Florence, Italy Program. This was my first experience in Europe and Florence. It was truly one of the best experiences of my life. The culture, the language, the fine Italian cuisine, and all the site-seeing was remarkable and such a great experience that I would highly recommend and encourage others to study abroad. This year, I am tutoring for CSP and a peer facilitator for Sociology 389 Project Community which includes volunteer work at the Sunrise Senior Living Home located in Ann Arbor.

After graduation I plan to attend medical school hopefully back home in California or on the east coast. I am an interested in oncology stemming from an internship the past two summers at the City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Institute in California or sports medicine because of my passion for sports. More importantly upon graduation from medical school and helping the ill, I want to serve as an image and role model in helping other minorities, particularly Mexican-Americans because there are so few of us that pursue higher education and have a career in the health professions. Lastly, I want to credit my mother, father, aunt and brother for all my success and everything that I have done thus far. Without their continuous support, encouragement and love, none of this would be possible.