Sofia Gerstein
Sofia Gerstein
I want to positively impact the world with my passion for medicine, neuroscience, and art.
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Sofia Gerstein's
Interests
Neuroscience
Art
Medicine
Art
Learning and Creating
By learning at a scholarship program at Ryman Arts Academy and Interlochen Arts Camp, I have learned advanced techniques across various mediums including acrylic paint, pastel, charcoal, and watercolor. I use the techniques learnt from experience to create beautiful pieces and share my love of art with the world.
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Medicine
I learn through courses, programs, and my volunteer shift, and gain exposure to the medical field.
Cedars Sinai Volunteer Shift
I volunteer on the Neurology Floor at Cedars Sinai, where I help patients with non medical needs and answer phone calls. I gain such fulfillment from talking to patients, nurses, and families, and assisting in any way I can.
These interactions and learning experiences augment my passion for pursuing a career in medicine.
Surgery Course
I learned about many aspects of surgery including the skills, specialties, and diagnosis necessary for surgery with a 2-week Georgetown University Course.
My capstone project was completing my own diagnosis and surgical recommendation based on a patient's symptoms and creating an 3-Dimensional Abdominal Cavity Model.
Charity Through Art Club
Charity Through Art was created to make a positive impact in the world through art.
As President of the Charity Through Art club, I have led various projects including folding cranes for pediatric kidney cancer patients, recycling violins, and crocheting hats for chemotherapy patients.
Learning Board Member
I was a Learning Board Member for the UCLA Jonsson Cancer Center Foundation, where I raised money for cancer research, did non-profit work, and learned from different healthcare professionals.
I learned the variety in connecting a career to non-profit work from oncologists, cancer researchers, oncology nurses, and financial advisors. I raised money for the UCLA Jonsson Caner Center Foundation by leading a bake sale with homemade cookies and a team of friends.
Neuroscience
I learn through courses and books and then present neuroscience research, conduct analysis, and teach to further my understanding of neuroscience.
Harris Neuroscience Internship
During my year-long internship I conducted stroke stem cell research, created a community project to advance health equity in the LA Latinx community, and lead monthly journal discussions.
The incredible mentorship of Dr. Irene Llorente ignited a passion that I showcased by presenting at the 12th Annual Stanford School of Medicine Neuroscience Forum.
LA-HIP Internship
As a 2025 LA-HIP Intern at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, I was finally able to apply the neuroscience knowledge I gained from my volunteer work, summer program, and Harris internship to conduct cutting-edge research on microglia activation during maternal immune activation. To culminate my internship, I presented my research at the LA-HIP Symposium to an audience of over 200 people, which made the hours with slices of frozen mouse brain worthwhile.
Neuroscience Research Academy
During my three weeks at the University of Pennsylvania, I learned from college professors about various topics in neuroscience including Neuro Anatomy, Learning and Memory, Synaptic Communication, Sensory Systems and so much more.
I attended Journal Club Sessions to review neuroscience research papers, Neuroethics to discuss ethical dilemmas, labs like brain directions, and lectures.
Your Brain on Art
On my free time, I read an incredible book about Neuroaethetics called Your Brain on Art, which integrated my passions for art and neuroscience.
This book revealed the capacity the art has to heal neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimers, mental health issues, and psychiatric disorders.
Scientific Literature Presentations
As final projects of both my AP Chemistry class and Neuroscience Research Academy, I reviewed Scientific Literature and presented my analysis to the class.
For Journal Club in the Neuroscience Research Academy, I presented the findings of a paper that supports how sleep is integral to long term depression in synapses to preserve synaptic homeostasis.
For AP Chemistry, I reviewed a paper that confirmed the use of a chemical cocktail to convert Glioblastoma Cells into Neurons.
Neuralink Analysis
I analyzed the ethics and implications of Neuralink, a Brain-Computer Interface, in Neuroethics at the Neuroscience Research Academy, and for my AP Computer Science Final Project.
I valued the Neuralink's intent of helping quadrapeligic people ameliorate their disabilities with the power the control technology with their minds. However, the clinical trials and side affects of malfunction were jarring.
