Nathanael Alicea is a senior commuting transfer student (from Rowan College of South Jersey) here at Rowan University originally from Lindenwold, New Jersey (Camden County) pursuing a BS in biological sciences; with minors in Pre-Health and Chemistry.
When asked what inspired him to choose his major Nathanael shared, “I would like to get to medical school at some point. Having a BS in biological sciences allows me to take all of the required courses needed to go to medical school. These courses include physics, organic chemistry, biochemistry, and more.”
With his horizons set on a career in the medical field, Nathanael went on to elaborate on some of the professional goals he has for both the near and more distant future, “The career that I would like to pursue is pediatrics. After Rowan, I plan to look into graduate programs to fill in the time between now and medical school. I will apply for medical school in the fall of 2024 for the 2025 school year. So if all goes well, I will be a pediatrician by 2029.”
Here at Rowan, the heart of the community is through student organizations! That being said when asked what form of campus involvement has helped him grow the most, Nathanael gushed, “The best example I have is the service learning trip provided by Med Life through Rowan. Those of us in the Med Life Club here on campus went to Riobamba, Ecuador on March 11-19, 2023. We went along with other Med Life chapters from different schools. Every day, we would go to different pueblos to assist the community in that area with basic healthcare by setting up a mobile clinic. This included general medicine, dentist, nutritionist, education, toothbrushing, gynecologist, and triage stations. This opportunity provided by Rowan University allowed us to explore the culture and get to know the locals. With this experience, I knew that I definitely wanted to continue to pursue medicine.”
Considering Nathanael has his eyes on a career in the medical field, it’s definitely appropriate to assume has has a very busy schedule. When asked what a “Rowan day in the life” looks like for him he laid it all out, “Thursday, I wake up at 6 am to get ready for school. I commute to campus to be in my 8 am advance genetics class. Right after that class, I have organic chemistry at 11 am. After that class, I go to the Rec Center to use the gym until 1:30 pm. My organic chemistry laboratory starts at 2 pm at the Science Building. Then I walk to the Business Building for my biochemistry lecture at 5 pm. As soon as that class ends, I run to Discovery Hall for my analytical chemistry from 6:30-9:15 pm. After that class, I go back to the Rec Center to meet up with some friends to play racquetball. I head home around 10:30. On Wednesdays, I go to the Med Life, Minority Association of Premedical Students, and Rowan United Latinos Association club meetings in the evening at Discovery Hall.”
Nathanael is a proud member of the Hispanic community and regularly attends the United Latinos Association club meetings and social events. He reflects on a recent event, a Bachata night. He says, “It was a great time to spend with others who enjoyed or were willing to learn about the culture.”
As he heads into his final semesters at Rowan Nathanael has so much promise and ambition as he strives towards his goal of working in the medical field.
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