Irene is a first year PhD graduate student at University of Pennsylvania, Immunology Graduate Group. During her Master’s in Pharmaceutical Chemistry, she took her first immunology course where she became interested in how the immune system works to fight pathogens and cancer. Interested to learn more, she joined an immunology lab as a research technician. This experience ultimately led her to apply to PhD programs in immunology. As a first-generation student, Irene had limited resources to help during her application season and was grateful to learn about Project SHORT, which made the application and interview process less intimidating. She hopes to provide mentorship to other underrepresented students during this stressful, yet exciting time.