At her core, Betelhem is a bookworm, a music enthusiast, and a photographer. Through her photos, storytelling has become her culture. From a young age her curiosity introduced her to the world of STEM and it became a way for her to learn and understand the diverse communities around her. Betelhem grew up in a city where adequate healthcare was unavailable and watched her grandma practice Ethiopian herbal medicine to fill in the gaps of care for her community. Later on in the U.S, her grandma was diagnosed with colon cancer. Her lack of English and the color of her skin made her fight with cancer even more difficult. At a young age, Betelhem realized the saddening truth that adequate care came with a price of privilege. This experience solidified her passion for the medical field, advocacy for healthcare opportunities for marginalized groups, and raising awareness of the disorders that impact her peers and community. With interests varying from biological sciences to global health policy, Betelhem is ready to gain the knowledge and tools to be a catalyst of change.
Leadership:
- StatStart Harvard T.H. School of Public Health, Scholar
- University of Colorado’s Pre-Health Scholars Program (CUPS), Founder and President
- African Student Association, President
