Keeping your options open is a common piece of advice for those attending university or embarking on a new career path. For first-year graduate student Luis Cáceres UG ’24, he can pinpoint the exact moment where taking an unconventional path to a Master of Public Health (MPH) proved to be the right choice. This past March, he was accepted into the Cancer Prevention and Control (CAPAC) Research Training Program at the University of Puerto Rico Comprehensive Cancer Center (UPRCCC).
“The plan was to apply to medical school after graduation and go the linear route. I’m glad I reconsidered. Being able to explore options and interests like this is really important to discovering your passion.”
During the CAPAC program, Cáceres will be looking at disparities in cancer research, regarding Latino patients. Working alongside Dr. Nancy R. Cardona-Cordero of UPRCCC, he will be investigating the environmental health impacts of personal care and beauty products and their potential connection to cancer. Cáceres is confident that if research can identify cancer earlier, there will be higher survival rates because of the initial discovery. The best part: he will be working directly with patients.
Flash back a few months, and Cáceres is scrolling through his Instagram feed. He stumbles upon a post advertising the CAPAC research training program. “The algorithm knows I’m interested in public health,” he says laughing. Suddenly, he can’t refuse the chance to apply. The only caveat—he has two days. Rushing straight to the College of Health suite at 6pm on a Thursday, he hurried to talk to Jen Topp, Assistant Director of Student Experiences in the COH, who encouraged Luis to take the chance. “I’m a big believer in throwing yourself at the mercy of those who might help you, always with kindness and appreciation,” Topp says, “because nine times out of ten, they will help you.”
Following Topp’s advice, Cáceres reached out to the CAPAC program asking for and receiving an extended deadline. Soon, it all fell into place. “A few days later, I got an email that I landed a final round interview,” Cáceres reflects.“It was amazing.”
Beginning with a B.S. in Biology and a B.A. in Sociology and Anthropology at Lehigh, Cáceres says it’s the perfect mix of majors to end up in public health because “you’re learning about human interactions and relationships, social sciences, and different groups of people.”
His interest in health was solidified during his study abroad program to Santiago, Dominican Republic, which is overseen by the College of Health. The program focuses on the social determinants of health in a global context. Cáceres felt connected to the program in part because his family is from the Dominican Republic. He was raised in the Bronx, N.Y. but feels closely tied to his roots, growing up back and forth between the two. “The program gave me the opportunity to work in communities with people that look like me and talk like me, but grew up in the Dominican Republic,” Cáceres says, “which is a totally different experience.” After observing the healthcare system, he feels inspired to return one day and contribute to its improvement.
“I realized that not everything is cookie cutter–living in the Dominican Republic comes with its own unique set of challenges. I am so grateful that my parents came to the U.S., and allowed me to have the opportunities that I do.”
After he graduated from Lehigh with his bachelor’s degree, Cáceres had many options to weigh. He thought about taking a gap year, and felt a gut instinct to hold off on applying to medical school. He also considered becoming a patient care assistant at a local hospital, and then noticed where his feet were planted already—Lehigh University.
“I love Lehigh. The professors in the MPH specifically are really great, they’ve worked with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations (UN). I like testing the waters right now, and I’m excited for what is ahead.”
