TRIO Senior Spotlights

9 December 2024

Information compiled by Francisco Arenas ’26

Layevska Jimenez- Hernandez

Layevska Jimenez-Hernandez, ’25

Hi! My name is Layevska Jiménez-Hernández (she/her). I was born and raised in sunny California, right in the heart of Los Angeles. I’m a cognitive science major with a minor in neuroscience. Though I’m far from home, my college experience here at Carleton has been fun throughout!

Since arriving here, I’ve experienced real seasons (snow!) and so many unique opportunities. In embracing Carleton’s liberal arts approach, I’ve taken fun courses that have contributed to an exciting college experience. In 2022, I studied abroad in Japan—a dream come true. I loved the experience so much, and I’m thrilled to have been awarded a fellowship to return for research as part of my comps project this year. I’ll be studying moral cognition through a cross-cultural lens, a project I hope to have reflect my appreciation for the interdisciplinary nature of cognitive science. 

This past summer, I interned in the Neuroscience Department at the Mayo Clinic, gaining first-hand experience in the field and deepening my interest in neurodegenerative diseases. Now, as I near graduation, I’m on the path toward an MD/PhD and am exploring opportunities to continue my studies in medicine and research. I’m proud to be a first-generation student, and I’m incredibly grateful for the unwavering support of my family and best friend, who’ve been my loudest cheerleaders from the start. The guidance from TRIO, FOCUS, mentors, and faculty across various departments has also been invaluable, encouraging me to feel confident in my place here and celebrating each of my successes. Even through my toughest courses and one too many all-nighters, I know I can rely on the communities that have welcomed and lifted me up at every turn.

I’m deeply grateful for my support network—my parents have always encouraged me to follow my passions, and my two brothers inspire me to be a strong role model. They, along with all my family, have been instrumental in helping me get to where I am today.

Amadou Touré, ’25

Amadou Touré

Hello! Amadou here (he/him). I am a computer science (CS) major and a biochemistry minor on the pre-medicine track. Born in Houston and raised in Sénégal, I went back to my birthplace for high school before matriculating to Carleton in ‘21. Now, being a good two trimesters away from graduation, I’m deeply grateful for the transformative impact of TRIO. 

Admittedly, I was anything BUT your classic TRIO student who showed up to all of the events. However, this community became one of my many guiding lights, providing not just resources but genuine care and connection. From Rosie’s (extremely) invaluable advice and support to workshops that broadened my perspective, access to Grammarly’s pro features for my writing, iGrad for financial literacy, and the lending book library that supported me through many long nights (and saved me hundreds of dollars), TRIO was always there. It built a foundation for my success and instilled confidence to chase my passions, no matter how daunting they seemed, especially during times when my self-confidence was shattered.

That spirit of resilience that was partially fueled by TRIO during my freshman year took me to Sénégal as a clinical intern, where I experienced firsthand the complexities and beauty of patient care. Immersing myself in this environment solidified my passion for medicine, and showed me the deeply human side of healthcare and the disparities that can shape lives. 

The following year, I found myself at the Mayo Clinic’s Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery. I onboarded myself in research that would challenge me like never before. I explored the use of Dual Energy CT and MRI in detecting bone involvement in multiple myeloma and worked to improve clinical trial participation among underrepresented minorities. Simultaneously, I built and coded MyelomaRisk—a tool designed to make an impact beyond the lab by increasing patient-provider time through a digitized prognosis version-access of patient lab results. This experience was the first time I really saw the impact that my decision to major in CS and hone skills in the subject matter could make.

This past summer, I completed an internship with the Medical Practice Evaluation Center at BWH MassGen, Harvard Medical School. My work focused on utilizing machine learning to analyze cardiovascular disease and socioeconomic risk factors in Bangladesh, contributing to global health policy. I’ve also had opportunities to work with health system data analysis, GLP-1 predictions, and integrating NCD screenings in diverse care centers in South Africa.

Outside of my internships, TRIO’s motto of giving back fueled me to take on additional roles as a CS SDA and French TA, finding joy in mentorship and the chance to give back to the community that shaped me. The opportunity to lead and support others has been one of the most meaningful chapters of my college experience…I’m starting to fall in love with academia and am not sure if I want to leave it just yet.

Finally, I received a fellowship to travel to Thailand to study the healthcare practices of Muay Thai fighters during Winter Break ‘24. God willing, it will be a unique fusion of tradition and modernity, resilience, and healing. Immersing myself in this world will be very important in my pursuit of understanding holistic care while allowing me to train in Muay Thai, a personal passion.

As I prepare to leave Carleton, I’m filled with a mix of excitement and nostalgia. This place has been a crucible of growth, challenge, and self-discovery. After graduation, I plan to take a gap year to deepen my experiences in healthcare and technology before applying to medical school.

My hope is to use innovation to make healthcare more compassionate, accessible, and transformative for all. To the TRIO community, my family, friends, and mentors–thank you. Every step of this journey was made possible by your belief in me. Although I will certainly be around as an alum, it is with an extremely deep sense of bittersweetness that I leave Carleton and the undergraduate TRIO community.