The words “Talent is universal, but opportunity is not” grounded me in my life goals and aspirations. While it is an ongoing process, understanding my privilege and intersection of identities has allowed me to communicate cross-culturally and empower individuals from vulnerable populations. Throughout my undergraduate career, I have contemplated ways to incorporate my desire to advocate for social justice with my interest in looking at the role social determinants of health contribute to health outcomes and disparities. Rather than working in silos, finding the balance between my two interests involves using creativity to develop alternative solutions and cross-sector partnerships to be an effective agent of change. From this knowledge, I am confident that social and behavioral health sciences will allow me to leverage my experiences to critically evaluate the current systems in place to address health disparities and support health equity. As an undergraduate at the University of California, Davis, I grappled with the decision to engage in opportunities that would provide me with the foundational knowledge to address my passions for social justice and health disparities. With my involvement at the UC Davis Cross Cultural Center (CCC), a student space that promotes critical consciousness and student activism, I have gained a newfound appreciation for community work and a desire to implement change through empowerment of the community. By understanding and processing my intersection of identities, I was able to identify the value and importance of community space. As one of the Asian Pacific Islander Community Coordinators, I have worked alongside student leaders and community organizations to advocate for social justice through...... middle of paper ......ntralizing and taking a holistic approach towards the health of underserved communities, could lead to improved participation rates, as well as knowledge and communication between patients and healthcare professionals. Especially in less marginalized communities, where support and resources are lacking and needed most, how health officials educate and effectively provide resources to these communities must be strategically evaluated to translate scientific research into practice. With the value and importance of public health increasing, I want to address the social determinants of health to reduce health disparities through the use of technology and partnerships with community organizers. Therefore, I believe that a graduate degree from Oregon State will be an excellent opportunity to combine my skills, background, and passions, turning a vision into reality.