Meet Alicia Gordon, a UNT biochemistry major who is participating in the Joint Admission Medical Program. JAMP is a Texas state-wide program that helps students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds pursue their dreams of becoming physicians.

"By participating in JAMP, I have a larger academic support system that will assist me in my courses, especially the harder classes," said Alicia. "Through networking with other pre-med students of different backgrounds and experiences, I also have more opportunities to access peer mentorship and support on my pre-med path."

Before her acceptance into JAMP, Alicia had the chance to work in a research laboratory through the PHAGES program run by Dr. Lee Hughes, where students conduct research on viruses that infect bacteria.

"Not only did I learn what working in a lab was like, but being a part of the PHAGES research also helped improve my understanding of what I was learning in class," said Alicia, who presented her research at Scholars Day last year and hopes to join a research lab at UNT in the coming year. "It was a great experience, and I loved seeing all the other research being done here at UNT."

Alicia said she was grateful to the faculty and staff who have helped boost her confidence and plan her pre-med journey, including Assistant Dean of Health Professions Todd Lang and Undergraduate Advisor and UNT Physics Lecturer Dr. Rebecca Purvis.

Her advice for fellow students starting out their pre-med journey: "Go for it! Apply for anything that catches your interest and reach out directly to the professors involved to get connected."

To learn more about JAMP at UNT, visit: https://healthcareers.unt.edu/program/jamp