About Me
Hello everyone! My name is Marina Waisenberg and I am currently a 4th year student at the University of Florida pursuing a Bachelor's of Health Science in Health Science with a minor in Public Health. I am currently on the pre-medical track and hope to begin medical school in Fall 2025.
My Story
I did not grow up always knowing I wanted to become a doctor. I wavered between science, math, and writing, but I did not feel any one field was particularly my passion. Shortly before coming to college, I was exposed to healthcare in a very personal sense. My grandfather became ill and spent weeks in the hospital. Despite the stress and sadness that permeated my family, I fell in love with medicine. I watched as doctors performed duties that involved compassion, critical thinking, and quick decision making and knew that it was the path for me.
From day 1 of my undergraduate studies at UF, I embarked on the pre-medical journey. Between difficult classes, clinical volunteering, and shadowing, the only thing missing to complete my education was research. As I explored the plethora of research opportunities available to undergraduate students at UF, I found myself particularly interested in addiction. After witnessing a family member struggle with alcohol dependence throughout the entirety of my upbringing, I was intrigued by the science behind addiction as well the lived experiences that relate to addiction, both for the addict themselves and their families. As I browsed opportunities, I found Dr. Barry Setlow's lab, where I have grown infinitely more passionate about the study of addiction, learning the intricacies of its neural mechanisms.
My experiences at UF have changed my perspective of medicine, but more importantly my view of the world. As a Brazilian and Jewish individual, I have always been taught to cherish and celebrate individuality. At UF, I have been exposed to diverse populations and experiences, and I look forward to carrying these experiences with me throughout graduate school and beyond.