<aside>
🗣️ ¡Hey! I’m Rafael Sánchez, and I have been accepted to Minerva University for the class of 2029.
I’m a young Colombian passionate about biotechnology, social justice, and how technology can improve and transform lives.
</aside>
<aside> <img src="notion://custom_emoji/ed1dc546-8e30-4ced-80b7-6e8bf2b57d05/1dd0eabe-2e12-80f2-8e1b-007adc1563d6" alt="notion://custom_emoji/ed1dc546-8e30-4ced-80b7-6e8bf2b57d05/1dd0eabe-2e12-80f2-8e1b-007adc1563d6" width="40px" />
Instagram: @r_sxnchez
</aside>
<aside> <img src="notion://custom_emoji/ed1dc546-8e30-4ced-80b7-6e8bf2b57d05/1dd0eabe-2e12-80ff-a802-007ac0078a00" alt="notion://custom_emoji/ed1dc546-8e30-4ced-80b7-6e8bf2b57d05/1dd0eabe-2e12-80ff-a802-007ac0078a00" width="40px" />
LinkedIn: Rafael E. Sánchez R.
</aside>
I was born in Colombia, a country full of hope, talent, and diversity. But it is also a place where inequality shapes the lives of millions. I was one of them. I was displaced by the armed conflict — an experience shared by many families in my country — but in my case, it did not define my destiny.
From a very young age, I understood that education would be my bridge to a better life. Without financial resources, but with an unbreakable spirit, I began building my path from the ground up. I applied to universities around the world, represented Colombia abroad as a youth leader, faced rejection, tried again, and after years of hard work, Minerva University opened its doors to me.
Photo of me presenting my first project on regional television in 5th grade. (2015)
I've worked as a junior researcher in biomedical engineering and social technology, contributing to projects that aim to reduce inequality through practical, community-centered solutions. From building low-cost prosthetics to exploring how artificial intelligence can help analyze public policies, I’ve always believed in connecting science with people.
Over the past four years, these are some of the milestones that have shaped my journey:
Receiving my diploma as an international youth leader representing Colombia in Budapest, Hungary. (2024)
One of my DIY biomedical engineering projects. (2023)
🔹 Served as a research assistant and junior researcher in the development of eco-friendly ocular prostheses at Universidad Autónoma del Caribe and Oniris ID.
🔹 Co-developed four biomedical prosthetics for patients through a scholarship with P4H Bionics, a health-tech startup based in Mexico. (Remote program)
🔹 Represented Colombia as a youth leader at the 2024 HISA Youth Dialogue in Hungary.
🔹 Founded a LEGO and robotics research club at my school when I was just 11 years old—it’s still active today.
🔹 Independent researcher in immunoengineering and molecular biology—self-taught, project-driven, and science-backed.
🔹 Volunteer as a STEM tutor and mentor, helping young people gain access to opportunities and technical knowledge.
Everything I do has one goal: making science, healthcare, and education accessible to everyone—not just a privileged few.
Acceptance Letter from Minerva University (2025)
I've been accepted to Minerva University, a one-of-a-kind institution where each semester takes place in a different global city—promoting immersive, diverse, and hands-on learning.
This is no small feat: Minerva has an acceptance rate of just 1% and a radically global curriculum. Students rotate across seven cities around the world, engaging with real-world challenges while developing leadership, critical thinking, and practical problem-solving skills.
<aside>
💥 I’ll be the first in my family to attend university, and only the seventh Colombian accepted since 2012.
</aside>
To make this opportunity a reality, I need to raise $12,000 USD to cover essential upfront costs, including visa processing, health insurance, remaining tuition, international flights, and other required expenses.
Despite receiving one of the most generous scholarships from Minerva University—covering 93% of my tuition and housing costs—I still need to raise USD 12,000 to start classes this Fall.