Jose Velez is a Junior at the University at Albany where he is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in biology with a minor in Psychology and Neuroscience. Originally from the City of Yonkers, Jose was brought up by his mother who immigrated from the Dominican Republic. He is a Premed student at UAlbany and has research interests in Emergency Medicine, Experimental Neuroscience, and community outreach. Jose is the Vice-President of the Doctors without Borders student chapter at UAlbany and is the founder of Project Heal, where he is actively working to bridge the gap between marginalized people and healthcare in the Capital region. Jose is also currently volunteering as an EMT and is interning at Albany Meds Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics over the summer. Jose’s interest in Public Health stemmed from his research interests and his own personnel experiences with Covid-19 after he and his family contracted Covid-19. After becoming very sick, Jose reviewed dozens of scientific publications in an effort to help himself and his family overcome the virus. During this period, he developed his interest in Public Health. His experience with Covid allowed him to witness first-hand the ways that Covid-19 disproportionately affected him and his community. Some of his awards include the Spellman award of academic excellence and the Situation Prize for Community advocacy. Jose aspires to pursue a career in medicine and public health with the dream of someday becoming an interventional Neurosurgeon. When Jose has free time, he enjoys discovering vegan restaurants, working on his car, and spending time with family and friends.