Julio is a first-generation in medicine, low-income international student from Mexico in the class of 2025 at Harvard Medical School. He holds a B.S in Biochemistry from Colorado State University (CSU) and a PhD in Biology from Stanford University. As an undergraduate student, Julio was actively involved in basic science research focusing on how the regulation of chromatin may result in disease progression of HTLV-1 and Alzheimer’s disease. His work was supported by an international student merit-work aid award at CSU and from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) as an Exceptional Research Opportunity Scholar (EXROP) that allowed him to work at MIT for two summers. After these formative research experiences, Julio pursued his PhD at Stanford University in the Biology Department. Here, his research focused on understanding the molecular regulatory events that ensure faithful centromere chromatin maintenance.

Outside of the laboratory, he was part of the leadership of the Biomedical Association for the Interest of Minority Students (BioAIMS), where he was involved in mentoring and supporting undergraduate and graduate students who identify as minorities. He also served as a Spanish interpreter and cultural liaison for underserved patients at the Stanford Free Clinics. Furthermore, he has served as a teaching assistant for multiple undergraduate courses. His efforts in teaching and mentoring were recognized by the School of Humanities and Sciences by being named a Centennial Teaching Assistant.

Talk to Julio if you have questions about financial aid at medical schools, research opportunities for international students, and anything related to the medical school application process.