Leslie Campo Catalan is a senior with a double major in Biology and Health Science and a minor in Studio Art. She started at Stony Brook University during the 2018 EOP/AIM Summer Academy. Leslie has been working with EOP/AIM as a tutor, success coach/mentor, teaching assistant, and as an advocate for the last four years. Throughout her education at Stony Brook University, Leslie received several awards and honors. She was awarded the Valedictorian Scholarship for having the highest GPA in her high school graduating class, INDUCER Cancer Biology Research Fellowship and Frances Velay Women and Science Research Fellowship to support her work at the Stony Brook Cancer Center. She is currently in the process of publishing her independent research project in colorectal cancer with Dr. Montrose. She also received the EOP Leadership Award, NYS Scholarships for Academic Excellence Award, SUNY Office of Opportunity Programs Academic Achievement Award, Dean’s List, and is part of CSTEP and honor societies Alpha Iota Mu and Chi Alpha Epsilon.

 

Leslie is actively involved in the healthcare field with support from the SUNY EOP Pre-Medical Scholars Program, PACE Clinical Program, UCEP SB HOME Clinic Program, and the SUPREMES Renaissance School of Medicine Program. She will be starting her EMT training for Port Jefferson EMS this summer. Leslie was also an intern for the BioMarin Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Company, a world leading company in developing and commercializing first-or best-in-class therapies for rare genetic diseases. During her time there, she worked on the PALYNZIQ® Injection self-administered enzyme substitution therapy for adults with phenylketonuria (PKU). She also worked on VIMIZIM® (elosulfase alfa) drug therapy for Morquio A syndrome (MPS IVA), a rare and progressive inherited disease that affects major organ systems in the body.

For the campus community at Stony Brook University, Leslie serves as the President of the Best Buddies International Chapter, a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to initiating a global volunteer movement to end social, physical, and economic isolation of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). They empower and help people with IDD to form beautiful friendships, secure employment, self-advocate, improve on skills such as public speaking and communication skills, and being valued by society. This chapter has been inactive for many years and she is working to reestablish and expand this chapter to make a difference.

Leslie will be attending the Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook in 2023 to pursue her medical degree and surgical residency. It is her desire to continue to give back to her community and EOP. She hopes to one day mentor future physicians and help them see the potential they possess like so many of her mentors have shown her.