Brods headed to Vanderbilt University and University of Pennsylvania

Kim Montaniel, UP Baguio 2008D

Bachelor of Arts in Biology, University of Minnesota

I applied to a handful of Biomedical PhD programs and the ones on top of my list were Dartmouth, Harvard and Vanderbilt, mostly due to common interests between myself and the program's participating faculty. I had an incredible time at all the schools I visited but I chose Vanderbilt for a variety of reasons:

1. I find myself HIGHLY interested in Pharmacology (Signal Transduction, Drug Discovery, etc) and Vanderbilt's Pharmacology Department continually ranks within the TOP 5 for the past 40 or so years (ranked #1 in the R-rankings by the NRC in 2010). The department's funding is upwards of $35,000,000 from both federal and private sources, which in my opinion, reflects highly of the faculty's reputation in the scientific community. Also, the department is very collaborative. There are >20 chemists in the department alone and together with the pharmacologists, compose one of the country's first and most advanced Drug Discovery Facility, which I am very interested in.
2. Vanderbilt has a very strong commitment to Graduate Education.
3. I really liked the atmosphere at Vanderbilt. I find my conversations with the students very intellectually stimulating yet entertaining and still very friendly.
4. Nashville is WARM!!! Lots of food and music. I think it's a place where I can not only pursue my scholarly interests but also my other hobbies (food and music). I think Nashville is a great place to live where I can achieve a good balance between graduate school and outside life.

Dartmouth and Harvard were great places too. However, I just found a better fit with both with my scholarly and personal interests, with Vanderbilt. Hence, my decision to come there.

All of this would have never been possible without the Brotherhood of Scholar's program. Although it is possible and has been done multiple times before, pursuing advanced studies in the US had always been a distant thought in my head. However, after I met with the Brothers who hosted us back in 2009 in California, I was opened to a whole new wealth of possibilities in relation my education, among other things. I heard stories of triumph about how the Brods pursued higher education here and it inspired me to do the same. As such, I took my chances and 2 years later, I graduated with a Bachelor's in Biology from the University of Minnesota. My experiences at that school, along with the preparation that I had back in the Philippines and especially at UP, gave me a leg up in the application process for graduate school. Again, this all would have never happened, had I not been a scholar of the Brotherhood of Scholar's program. So, as I move forward, I will always think about those 11 days that I spent in California back in 2009, informally interacting with Brothers and unconsciously, opening my mind to a whole new wealth of possibilities, which in my opinion, totally changed the course of my life. I will forever be grateful to the fraternity, especially to the brothers who worked hard to facilitate the program's charter batch (myself and Brod Danilo Si). Cheers!

Flashback 2009

[*Web note: to see Brotherhood of Scholars Program, I and II, go to Chapters>Central>Updates.

For I, go to 2009 Oct 31, II go to 2010 Oct 16; or simply click on underlined dates.]

Betan Scholars Kim and Danny in Los Angeles

Betan Scholars Kim and Danny in San Francisco

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Luigi Topacio, UP Diliman 2010D

Bachelor of Science in Biology (cum laude), University of San Francisco

Member, UP Beta Sigma Northern California

"Wala ka sa Lolo ko"

Personal statement submitted by Luigi Topacio, UP Beta Sigma Diliman  2010D,

 as part of his application to the University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine

When I was very young, I remember trying on my Lolo’s Doc Martin dress shoes. I would walk around the house and hobble my way up and down the stairs as I pretended to be someone really important. Trying my best to keep his shoes on my small feet, I would sit in his office while reading his collection of National Geographic and Time magazines. Lolo is the Filipino word for grandpa, and my grandfather‘s shoes have always been the hardest to fill in our family. My Lolo played a prominent role in the academic realm of veterinary medicine as the Dean of the University of the Philippines and Professor Emeritus. He was recently proclaimed National Scientist of the Philippines for his contributions in passing the anti-Rabies bill as well as helping develop a cure for leptospirosis through his extensive research.  In any field that you go to, veterinary medicine or not, what matters is the passion and dedication that you put into your line of work, and my Lolo was the first person who showed me that.

Through my Lolo, I started my journey into the field of veterinary medicine by helping at a local teaching hospital in the Philippines.  Volunteering in a developing country showed me different challenges that veterinarians have to face. In one particular case, a patient was brought in undergoing respiratory arrest. With the hospital not fully equipped with supplies, the doctor had to perform CPR on the patient using a breathing tube. The veterinarian was unable to revive the patient, and I cannot describe the helplessness that I felt as I watched. That experience made me realize how insufficiently funded that hospital was and how many other hospitals are likely facing the same problems around the world. At that moment, I knew exactly what it is that I wanted to do with my life. As an advocate for all living creatures, I want to help by improving medical facilities in developing countries, and I can best do so by devoting myself to the field of veterinary medicine.

With newfound inspiration, I sought to gain more insight and expand my horizons in the field. At present, I am volunteering at the San Francisco Zoo and the Marine Mammal Center.  Both these experiences give me unique opportunities to interact with different animals and observe different medical procedures. On my first day at the Marine Mammal Center, I observed an abscess removal from a sea lion, witnessed a necropsy, and participated in a sea lion release all in one day.  Working at that facility shows me important aspects of short term rehabilitation such as minimizing interaction and coordinating with other entities for proper release back to the wild.  On the other hand, working at the zoo gives me the opportunity to take care of injured animals unable to return to the wild. The staff emphasizes the use of proper enrichment to comfort the animals by making their enclosures their homes.

While volunteering at two different wildlife rehabilitation facilities has given me ample exposure to a variety of animals, I still yearned for more hands on experience working with small animals like I did in the Philippines. Working at the Daly City Banfield hospital has given me that opportunity and more. As a veterinary assistant, I work closely with veterinarians and get the best training in the busiest hospital in the Bay Area.  In the past year, I have developed an excellent repertoire of technical skills used in the field of veterinary medicine, but what drives me to work at my hospital are the relationships I build with my team, my clients and my pets. One experience that truly stands out involves a sick dog suffering from diarrhea and vomiting. The owners could not afford the treatment plan recommend by the doctor, but they were willing to relinquish ownership in order to save their dog. Moved by their selflessness, I talked to my manager and explained the owner’s situation as well as her devotion to her pet’s well being. Together, we found a way to have my patient treated under our Charitable Trust Fund, which provides medical services for those families in need. We were able to perform the needed services, and in a few weeks he was healthy.  It was the first time that I truly felt the impact I am able to make in this field.

From these interactions, I get a glimpse of what my Lolo must have felt when he first delved into veterinary medicine. He was moved by his passion in research, and his numerous awards can attest to that. I work constantly not because I want to become better than my Lolo or fill his shoes, but because I simply love what I do. I love working in this field and seeing different cases each day. I look forward to challenging myself with aggressive cats and dogs. I love making owners smile when I greet their pet with enthusiasm each time I walk into a room.  Simply put, I have my own shoes to fill, and when I do finish veterinary school, my Lolo and I will be reading side by side in his office.

Postscript, by Yay Topacio, UPD77A - proud father of Brod Luigi and proud son of Brod Ted:

       Last October, about 1,200 aspiring students applied for admission to the prestigious “Penn Vet” Class of 2017.  Luigi was one of the few applicants who were invited to come and visit the University of Pennsylvania campus in West Philadelphia for a whole day interview cycle on March 1, 2013.  On this day, Luigi was the last applicant interviewed by a panel of two distinguished DVM Professors of the Committee on Admissions.  The interview lasted for more than half an hour.  The following day Luigi got a call from one of the interviewing Professors who informed him that he has been accepted to the program.  Brod Luigi graduated Cum Laude from the University of San Francisco with a  B.S. degree in Biology.

       Luigi’s “Lolo” is Dr. Teodulo M. Topacio Jr., DVM, M.Sc. PhD, Professor Emeritus U.P. Diliman and U.P. Los Baños and U.P. Beta Sigma ’49.   Brod Ted topped the Philippine Veterinary Board Examinations after graduating Cum Laude, DVM from the U.P. College of Veterinary Medicine, Class of 1951. He was the Dean of the U.P. College of Veterinary Medicine from 1964-1969.  In 2009, Brod Ted was conferred the rank and title of National Scientist  by then Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo for his contribution to information on leptospiral disease of domesticated animals.

The Topacios of Hawaii: Jin, Luigi, Serjei, Yay and Allysa

UPLB 101010: Luigi and girlfriend Kimberly with Lolo Ted and Founder Rico

l-r: Rene de Rueda, Orlino Ancheta, Luigi and Ted Topacio, Tatang Vergara and Frankie Cornejo.
 

Father and Son

Luigi, who enrolled and got initiated in Diliman to join UP Beta Sigma, hanging out with Diliman dorbs

Luigi's base chapter, UP North, will miss their "bunso", but are very happy for him to pursue his dream

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