Ruth Ramirez Hernandez

Biology

Hello, my name is Ruth Ramirez Hernandez and I am from Mooresville, NC. In the future, I plan on becoming a facial reconstructive surgeon. Oftentimes, the face is the most noticeable aspect of an individual upon first meeting them. I hope to bring an easier day-to-day to my future patients by improving their facial features that have been altered due to trauma. I have participated in Wake Forest University's Camp Med program each summer, and also been a sterilization technician assistant for Atlantic Oral Surgery. These experiences have allowed me to develop a deeper understanding of the current state of healthcare in my area. I have also been able to see the difference oral surgery can have on an individual's quality of life.
   
I attended North Carolina Governor's School for Natural Science in 2023 and I was able to explore various fields which included marine biology, paleontology, and philosophy. My senior year, I was a part of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute Science Education Alliance - Phage Hunters Advancing Genomics and Evolutionary Science (SEA-PHAGES) program. Through the SEA-PHAGES program, I was able to discover a phage, Htur, through direct isolation. Alongside my classmates, I was also able to annotate its sequence and create a research paper on Htur and another phage, Yeti. These experiences have strengthened my interest in pursuing biology.
   
In high school, I attended an early college and completed the majority of my high school classes by the end of my sophomore year and was able to complete my Associate in Science by the time I graduated. I also participated in my school's student council, Future Business Leader's of America, Beta Club, and Quill. A few of my favorite hobbies include playing piano, making bead animals or jewelry, and listening to music.