Bruna Collodetti De Souza

Feels like a new home.

The University Honors Program is for me because it offers the structure and support to turn ambition into impact. As a BS/MD student passionate about medicine, research, and service, I am drawn to UHP's emphasis on experiential learning and reflection. The flexibility to design my own honors experiences, such as expanding my YouTube platform to mentor other students, engaging in global health work in Brazil, or conducting meaningful research at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, aligns perfectly with my goals. Beyond academics, UHP connects me to a motivated community that values leadership, innovation, and making a difference, all of which are central to who I currently am and who I want to become.

My research experience in the Cornwall-Goh Lab has had the most significant impact on me. Working to uncover the genes responsible for muscle contractures in NBPI challenged me intellectually and personally. I learned that research is not just about results but about resilience. Spending hours in the lab troubleshooting experiments taught me the value of patience, curiosity, and consistency. I discovered strengths I did not know I had, such as independence and critical thinking, while also becoming more aware of my weaknesses, including the tendency to hesitate when asking for help. This experience showed me that failure is part of the process and that growth often happens during the most uncertain moments. It has shaped how I approach problems, how I collaborate with mentors, and how I think about science, not just as a subject, but as a mindset and a long-term commitment to learning.

If I could go back in time, I would tell myself to focus on building deeper and more meaningful connections with the people around me. In my first semester, I was eager to meet everyone, but I’ve learned that investing in a few strong relationships brings more support, inspiration, and fulfillment. I would also remind myself of the importance of time management - balancing academics, social life, and work more intentionally so that responsibilities don’t pile up all at once. Organizing my study routine earlier on would have helped me reduce stress and stay more consistent. Lastly, I would encourage myself to make physical activity a regular part of my routine. I've realized how much it improves my mental clarity, energy, and overall well-being. These small but powerful shifts would have made my transition into college smoother and helped me thrive both inside and outside the classroom.

This year, I’m most looking forward to maximizing my skills academically, physically, and personally. I want to improve my study techniques, boost my grades, and manage my time more intentionally. I’m also focused on building strength and discipline through weightlifting, which has become a key part of my routine and well-being. Beyond academics and personal growth, I’m excited to be surrounded by more people I care about and to continue nurturing those relationships. What I’m most excited about, though, is a new course I’m taking through the Medical Sciences program focused on traditional Chinese medicine. I’m fascinated by different cultural approaches to health, and I think this class will broaden my perspective and complement my long-term goals in medicine in a unique and meaningful way.