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.
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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.
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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.