--- title: "FIRST Alumni Spotlight: Sarah Rudasill" description: Participating in FIRST inspired Sarah toward research in the translational sciences, and her FIRST Scholarship has provided financial freedom and mentorship as she pursues an academic surgical career. image: https://community.firstinspires.org/hubfs/WELCOME_H_AG_1106_72.jpg --- ### *FIRST *Alum Sarah Rudasill, from *FIRST *Robotics Competition Team 4266, the New Oxford GhostBotics, from New Oxford, Pennsylvania, received the Bart Kamen Memorial *FIRST *Scholarship. Participating in *FIRST *inspired Sarah toward research in the translational sciences, and her *FIRST *Scholarship has provided financial freedom and mentorship as she pursues an academic surgical career. **What did you do after becoming a *FIRST* Alum?** After I graduated high school, I attended Wake Forest University. I graduated in 2017 with a degree in Economics and now I’m at UCLA for medical school. **What are your future plans?** I intend to pursue an academic surgical career, where I will balance patient care, clinical research, and teaching responsibilities. I’m so excited to study medicine, see patients in our volunteer clinic, and conduct clinical research. **How has your *FIRST* experience impact your post-graduation life?** *FIRST* demonstrated how abstract scientific principles could be applied to practical problems, which inspired me to pursue research in the translational sciences. Medicine is a fantastic avenue for translating scientific discoveries into tangible improvements in healthcare. Being the recipient of the [Dr. ](https://www.firstinspires.org/bart-kamen-scholarship)[Bart ](https://www.firstinspires.org/bart-kamen-scholarship)[Kamen](https://www.firstinspires.org/bart-kamen-scholarship) Memorial [*FIRST*](https://www.firstinspires.org/bart-kamen-scholarship) Scholarship gave me the financial freedom to pursue research projects of interest, and I am fortunate to have met many great researchers and physicians who have shaped my career trajectory. ![sarah-rudasil-featured-image-395](https://www.firstinspires.org/sites/default/files/sarah-rudasil-featured-image-395.jpg?width=395&name=sarah-rudasil-featured-image-395.jpg) **You shared that you’ve made and kept great *FIRST* friends – any advice to current Participants on how to do that?** I was a fortunate recipient in the first class of Bart Kamen Scholars, so I’ve kept in touch with other scholars and subsequent classes. I look forward to mentoring future generations of Bart Kamen Scholars through the long medical training process. **What is your favorite *****FIRST***** memory?** I helped to found a brand-new team, and our first competition in Baltimore will always be a fond memory. We didn’t come close to winning, but it was a thrill to be surrounded by so many passionate and brilliant future scientists. **What is the best piece of advice you have received?** When starting any new endeavor, your attitude and effort will determine the outcome.  ** [Alumni](https://community.firstinspires.org/topic/alumni) #### Share it: [** ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://community.firstinspires.org/first-alumni-spotlight-sarah-rudasill) [** ](https://twitter.com/share?url=https://community.firstinspires.org/first-alumni-spotlight-sarah-rudasill) [** ](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://community.firstinspires.org/first-alumni-spotlight-sarah-rudasill) ![Default Author Image](https://community.firstinspires.org/hubfs/Community%20Blog%20v2/images/FIRST-author-icon.svg) Author [FIRST Staff](https://community.firstinspires.org/author/first) These blog posts have been contributed by members of *FIRST* staff. *FIRST* is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization headquartered in Manchester, N.H. ### Related Posts ** [Alumni](https://community.firstinspires.org/topic/alumni) Tesla invests in FIRST to support workforce development and future engineers January 16, 2020 ** [Alumni](https://community.firstinspires.org/topic/alumni) #IRL: Rahil Mehta, FIRST Alum & Tesla Sr. Firmware Engineer January 20, 2020 FIRST is always looking for a Few Good Alums… February 21, 2020 ![](https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=1200203950045814&ev=PageView&noscript=1) ![](https://ct.pinterest.com/v3/?tid=2615041699514&noscript=1) ![](https://ct.pinterest.com/v3/?tid=2615041699514&event=PageVisit&noscript=1)