Andria Chapa
Biography
What is your favorite word? What do you like about it?
My favorite word would definitely be “why.” It’s such a simple, obnoxious little word, but its impact can’t be overstated. Seconds-long retorts, hours-long discussions, and decades-long research can and have all been spurred from this one three-letter word. Though it appears inconspicuous on its own, it truly is an impressive word.
What is on your bookshelf?
My bookshelf hosts a variety of classic literature novels that I read years ago as well as (mostly) non-functional vintage devices. A few equally vintage-looking knickknacks are littered about, really rounding out the grandparent aesthetic. Looking at it, one might assume the owner is either a literature academic or elderly. One would be wrong on both counts.
What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
I think one thing people are usually surprised to learn is that I own four dogs. 3 of them live back in my hometown with my family, however, but I did bring the biggest and spunkiest of the bunch: a german shepherd named Clover.
What degrees do you hold and from what institutions?
I currently hold a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Biology from Texas A&M University.;
What excites you about joining Texas A&M School of Medicine for your MS degree in Medical Sciences?
I’m excited to return to Texas A&M to continue my academic career. The MS in Medical Sciences program is one that specifically aligns with my future ambitions of becoming a medical professional, and I believe the faculty and fellow students in the TAMU School of Medicine would best help prepare me for that endeavor.
If you could meet any physician or scientist throughout history, who would you want to meet and why?
I think I would like to meet Jonas Salk if I had the opportunity to do so. His work in developing one of the first successful polio vaccines, helping to nearly eradicate the disease in a few short decades, leads me to hold him in high regard. This sentiment is amplified by the fact that he sacrificed personal profit in choosing to not patent his work in order to achieve greater vaccine distribution--a gesture that I can’t imagine being replicated in this modern era of for-profit pharmaceuticals.
Tell us something you are passionate about.
I am most definitely passionate about healthcare--particularly the social aspects. Unfortunately, many people do not have access to affordable and high-quality care, which is something that I think should be available to all regardless of financial status. While it isn’t necessarily feasible for a single healthcare provider to make this kind of change on a large scale, it is something I care deeply about nonetheless. In the future, I hope to bring attention to the issue and educate others on the importance of healthcare access.