My name is Gabriela and I am from New Orleans, Louisiana. You may be wondering what this southern girl is doing so far from home; I did too at first. I moved to Maryland the summer before my senior year of high school, and was accepted into the George Washington University; so here I am. I am currently studying Psychology and Public Health. I have always had a passion for health and all health related topics, and it was this passion that led me to my internship at JDRF.

The story of how I became interested in Diabetes specifically, though not as personal as those experiencing T1D on a daily basis, still hits pretty close to home for me. My Grandmother, who practically raised me for the first 5 years of my life, has type 2 diabetes, which she developed after her last pregnancy. As a teenager I took it upon myself to care for her in every way I could by planning her meals, making sure she takes her insulin, and exercising. I would eat what she ate and exercised with her so she wouldn’t feel alone. She means the world to me and I joined JDRF to get involved in the mission to find a cure not just for my Grandmother but someone else’s daughter, son, uncle, aunt, etc. Having been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease at the age of 19, (Multiple Sclerosis) I dove head first into research for a cure for both–if not for my generation, hopefully my children’s generation and those to come. I could not have chosen a more welcoming and amazing team to begin that journey with than JDRF. I have already learned so much! Every day I learn something that reminds me of my Grandmother and how that could help her. Being here has given me exposure and the opportunity to learn things I wouldn’t have elsewhere, and I can’t wait to do more!