--- title: FIRST enabled my pursuit of medical research description: FIRST is a global robotics community preparing young people for the future and the world’s leading youth-serving nonprofit advancing STEM education. image: https://community.firstinspires.org/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/sarah-rudasil-featured-image-395.jpg --- ### Sarah Rudasill *FIRST *Alum ### *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://community.firstinspires.org/bart-kamen-scholarship)[Bart ](https://community.firstinspires.org/bart-kamen-scholarship)[Kamen](https://community.firstinspires.org/bart-kamen-scholarship) Memorial [*FIRST*](https://community.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. **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.  Visit [firstinspires.org/alumni](https://community.firstinspires.org/alumni) for more *FIRST* Alumni spotlights. [Share your story](https://goo.gl/forms/kqlCemQfFQpGYsfO2) for a chance to be featured. [ Share Your Story](https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/5d5985a569d8423b8a0739c9efa27cea) ** [Alumni](https://community.firstinspires.org/topic/alumni) #### Share it: [** ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://community.firstinspires.org/first-enabled-my-pursuit-medical-research) [** ](https://twitter.com/share?url=https://community.firstinspires.org/first-enabled-my-pursuit-medical-research) [** ](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://community.firstinspires.org/first-enabled-my-pursuit-medical-research) ![Default Author Image](https://community.firstinspires.org/hubfs/Community%20Blog%20v2/images/FIRST-author-icon.svg) Author [Admin](https://community.firstinspires.org/author/admin) ### Related Posts ** [Educators](https://community.firstinspires.org/topic/educators), [Mentor Stories](https://community.firstinspires.org/topic/mentor-stories) A New Type of School Teaches Skills for the Future | FIRST January 3, 2018 ** [Alumni](https://community.firstinspires.org/topic/alumni), [STEM for Everyone](https://community.firstinspires.org/topic/stem-for-everyone) Student finds a road to success through FIRST March 1, 2018 ** [Educators](https://community.firstinspires.org/topic/educators) FIRST Boosts Graduation and College Enrollment Rates and Builds Confidence in Pacific Northwest April 18, 2018 ![](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)