Alex with his parents.
Hi, I’m Alex Vasile, a Pittsburgh native on an exciting journey from aspiring architect to promising medical professional. Born in Connecticut and raised in Chicago, my family moved to Pittsburgh when I was four, a place that has truly become my home. From a young age, I was captivated by science and the possibilities it held. Initially, my love for Legos sparked an interest in architecture; I even built an entire city out of them! However, as I progressed through high school, I was drawn more towards the core sciences—biology, chemistry, and physics—which led me to envision a future in the biomedical field. This passion for science has driven my academic and professional pursuits, guiding me toward my current path.
Current Academic and Professional Status
Currently, I attend Hofstra University’s 4+4 BS/MD program with the Zucker School of Medicine in Hempstead, New York. This prestigious program offers conditional acceptance to medical school right out of high school, and the Zucker School of Medicine has earned a Tier 1 research ranking by US News.
Luminari Influence
My journey with Luminari began in the summer of 2021 through their Speak and Tell! program. Initially, I sought to improve my public speaking skills for high school speech and debate, and found the program transformative. It helped me break out of my introverted shell and develop essential communication skills. I returned to Luminari the next two summers as a volunteer, intern, and mentor for the I Want to be an Ambassador! program, further honing my leadership and cultural communication abilities.
Academic Journey
At Hofstra, I’m studying biology and computer science. I chose these fields because I believe the future lies in the intersection of medicine and technology. My passion for medicine is deeply rooted in my desire to innovate and improve people’s quality of life, influenced by my community in Romania, where quality healthcare was scarce post-communism.
Driven by innovation, I proposed a new major in computational biology at Hofstra, expected to be available by Fall 2025.
Professional Experience
My internship at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) provided invaluable experience. For 10 weeks, I worked on a project titled “Predicting T Cell Abundance and Spatial Distribution in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer from Histopathology Images,” developing an AI model to predict patient responses to immunotherapy.
Alex hosting a resume Workshop at Hofstra.
This experience deepened my computational skills and exposed me to cutting-edge research and world-class professionals, shaping my career aspirations towards biomedical innovation.
Personal Growth
Balancing academics with extracurricular activities, I’m active in an intramural flag football team and the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity at Hofstra. These activities provide a social outlet and help me maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Future Plans
I plan to complete my undergraduate studies in three years, taking a gap year before medical school to gain more research experience or work in the biopharma industry. My future aspirations include pursuing a combined degree such as MD-PhD, MD-MPH, or MD-MBA and eventually transitioning to an administrative medical role after gaining clinical experience.
Connection to Luminari
Luminari played a pivotal role in my personal and professional development. The mentorship I received, particularly from Sheila Hyland, left a lasting impact. The skills and lessons learned at Luminari, such as effective communication and cultural awareness, continue to benefit me in my academic and professional endeavors.
My journey from a quiet student to a confident leader exemplifies the transformative power of Luminari’s programs. I embody the organization’s mission to inspire and empower young individuals to make a positive impact in their communities and beyond.
