Marlon Lopez, in his graduation regalia at the popular "Block U" on campus

Language and culture have always been important in my family and integral to my upbringing and life at home. I was born in the U.S. My parents immigrated to the U.S. from El Salvador in 2002, looking for employment and educational opportunities and to escape gang violence.

Throughout my childhood in Salt Lake City, my mom shared stories about El Salvador and the sacrifices my grandparents made to break the cycle of generational poverty. My grandma from the age of 8 registered herself for school. Before school she would have to pick fruit to help her family and walk 3 hours to and from school. She would eventually finish high school. As an adult and mother, she sold fruit to supplement the family income and to afford clothes for her children. My abuela’s commitment to building a better future for her own children, and future grandchildren, was unwavering. My mom would use her as proof that education, hard work and kindness were the way to succeed in life. My parents never let me forget those sacrifices.

My grandma lived in El Salvador but would come visit while I us growing up. My grandmother was treated at the Huntsman cancer hospital in 2002 for breast cancer and because of this she was able to live many more years before passing away in October 2023. Contributing to the science that helped my abuela live a healthier life was a factor that inspired me to get involved in breast cancer research at the Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI).

As a first-generation college student, my University of Utah experience has had its challenges. I needed to seek out guidance on how to find resources, like scholarships, campus jobs and tutoring support for difficult courses. While these are real challenges, thankfully there are plenty of resources and opportunities and it’s not too hard to find them.

I have worked in two research labs at HCI, starting with the Kirchhoff Group. In February at the Utah Capitol, I presented results from my work on breast cancer in the Welm Labs at Research on Capitol Hill and also presented at the National Human Genome Research Institute conference in Seattle, Wash. Research has furthered my science knowledge and was really doable for me, because I was able to get paid.

Hard work, and valuing education and culture is part of who I am. Thanks to my parents prioritizing speaking Spanish at home, I have been able to give back as a Spanish interpreter at the Maliheh Free Clinic. The experience reinforced my passion for medicine and my commitment to helping underserved communities.

Some of my favorite memories of the U of U will be the professors who passed on their passion and curiosity for science and the abundant opportunities students have to get involved in research, teaching (as a learning or teaching assistant), the scholarship and work opportunities, and the many clubs that help you find community. I  hope to become a physician where, in the words of my abuela, he hopes to use my “voice to advocate for those who are unheard.

by Marlon Lopez
Class of 2025 B.S. in biology, minor in chemistry

This story originally appeared in @The U.