Profiles of the Spring 2025 Incoming Class

Undergraduate

Gina Pacak

Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

My journey to Columbia GS, like many of my peers, has taken a great deal of twists and turns. I entered the world of high fashion at 14 after being scouted by IMG Models through their viral Instagram campaign. This led to a seven-year career traveling between New York, Paris, and Berlin, magazine features including Vogue and W, and walking the runways at Fashion Week.

However, as I built my career, I began to experience severe joint problems, particularly with my knees and ankles, which ultimately resulted in multiple reconstructive surgeries. The physical toll of modeling forced me to reckon with my body in ways I hadn’t expected. I became fascinated with the mechanics of joints, recovery, and the body’s capacity for healing.

This growing interest in medicine, coupled with my childhood love of animals, led me to transition to working at a local veterinary clinic. There, I helped pets recover from surgeries, triaged emergencies, and observed firsthand how the body—regardless of species—adapts and heals.

At times on my journey, I feared my past would hinder any path to college as if I’d veered too far from the standard route to ever return. I applied to Columbia GS because it offers the opportunity to merge my unique background with my passion for the sciences. I want to deepen my understanding of biology—both human and animal—while preparing for veterinary school. Columbia’s vibrant academic community and world-class research is the perfect environment to pursue my dream.

The best advice I’ve received was from a rival in the modeling industry: “Learn to take criticism and use it to improve.” While it was meant as a lighthearted jab, I realized that feedback—however tough—can be a powerful tool for growth. Whether it was about body image, performance, or, as I later discovered, health, I stopped being defensive and began using feedback to refine my approach.

I plan to carry this advice with me at Columbia, where I know there will be constant opportunities to learn and grow. I can’t wait to embrace the challenges ahead and push myself further, both academically and personally.

Serena Wilson de Leon

Hometown: Paris, France

Prospective Major(s): Economics

I started my professional career at 15 years old. After a year of modeling for the French couture house Saint Laurent, I inquired about interning for them, long having desired to be an active player in the industry. Following that enriching experience, I took every break available to me to continue using my access in modeling to intern for fashion houses which landed me in New York after graduating high school working for my favorite publications like American Vogue and houses like Thom Browne. After years of playing both sides of the coin, stretching myself between modeling for brands like Balenciaga and Jean Paul Gautier and working in design for brands like Givenchy and Alexander McQueen, I knew to further my career I had to look back into academia.

After deciding last year that, to become a creative director of a major house, I had to fill the gaps in my education, I first looked into fashion school. However, I quickly realized what I was missing wasn’t the practice of my creativity, but the vernacular to turn my creative intuitions into data-based metrics. I instinctively knew Columbia was the place for me. GS called to me with its motto “lux in tenebris lucet.” There were parts of my mind I hadn’t shone a light on, and I was convinced Columbia would be the sun I needed to shine at my brightest. I am happy to say that after several days immersed in campus life, my intuitions were correct.

The one piece of advice that stuck out to me amongst the many given during the Jumpstart Series was to fearlessly walk towards my fear. Columbia is a space for spiritual and academic growth. Both in social dynamics and knowledge alike, I can apply this idea.

One fun fact about me: In my years questioning my return to an academic career, I practiced my creativity in painting. I started a painting series called “Nudes I Can’t Send,“ exploring the theme of reappropriating my image after “selling it“ for modeling. I am happy to announce I am working with a gallery in Brussels for my first gallery show and intend on continuing my practice throughout my academic career.

Postbac Premed

Raphael Francisco Fernandez

Hometown: Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic and Miami, Florida

My path to GS is the culmination of every experience that has shaped me thus far. As the child of Cuban immigrants, I grew up with the weight of my parents' sacrifices and dreams on my shoulders. Their flight from their homeland to give me opportunities they never had instilled a deep sense of gratitude, but also a desire to chart my own course. This inner conflict led me to reject the traditional academic path and enlist in the Navy at 18, seeking a sense of purpose and independence. The military thrust me into roles of immense responsibility early on—managing controlled substances at 19, leading COVID-19 testing for over 500 Marines in Japan at 20, and supervising a team of junior sailors in a clinical setting at 21. At 22,  I helped manage a pilot program for military emergency care, working as an EMT, which further solidified my passion for medicine and illuminated how mental health and physical health are deeply intertwined.

I applied to GS because I felt a need to continue growing after the military. Everything I learned during my time in service—resilience, discipline, and adaptability—gave me the tools to tackle school again with a renewed sense of purpose. GS stood out as the perfect fit because it’s specifically designed for people like me who took a nontraditional path to education. It’s a place where my unique experiences can not only be valued but also expanded upon, allowing me to keep pushing forward toward my goals.

I would have never applied if it weren’t for my significant other pushing me out of my comfort zone. I genuinely didn’t believe I was capable of attending such a prestigious school without following the traditional path everyone else seemed to take. Embrace discomfort—it’s the birthplace of growth. Your potential is limited only by the risks you're unwilling to take.

Natalie Kaloudova

Home country: Czechia 

Born and raised in Czechia in a working-class family, I spent much of my childhood in hospitals due to recurring health issues. Unlike most kids, I wasn’t eager to leave; I was fascinated by the machines, procedures, and the doctors who seemed to hold the answers to everything. Medicine felt like where I belonged. At 11, I was accepted into a unique preparatory high school where students completed middle and high school coursework together, designed to prepare us for competitive university programs. Outside of school, I volunteered for years under ADRA, working in nursing homes and children’s hospitals. Spending time with end-of-life patients and comforting children away from their families deepened my passion for caregiving and solidified my dream of pursuing medicine.

While my rigorous high school environment pushed me to try harder and dream bigger, it also left me feeling out of place among peers whose families were doctors, lawyers, or professors. They had access to resources I could only dream of, like expensive preparatory courses and shadowing opportunities, while my own efforts—like sneaking into a friend's prep course—often ended in embarrassment. Alongside my frequent hospitalizations, I struggled to keep up academically, and my teachers, who didn’t understand my circumstances, often labeled me as unmotivated. By the time university entrance exams arrived, I had internalized these doubts and sabotaged my chances by not preparing. Though I was accepted into a local medical school, I turned it down, feeling unworthy and unsure of my path.

Joining the au pair program after high school marked the beginning of my transformation. Moving to the U.S. was a leap of faith that gave me a fresh perspective on both myself and the world. My experiences as an au pair, particularly caring for infants, were deeply rewarding and intellectually stimulating. Infants presented unique challenges: their development was rapid, their medical needs were subtle but fascinating, and I was captivated by observing how small changes in their environment could influence their growth and health. These experiences reignited my interest in the intersection of biology, health, and caregiving. Furthermore, living with families across the country, I also saw how vastly circumstances could differ—some had far more opportunities than I did, while others had far less. This shift in perspective helped me stop feeling sorry for myself and instead embrace my journey as a source of strength. I realized that while I couldn’t control everything, I could actively shape my own future, one step at a time.

With this new mindset, I earned a 4.0 GPA as an honors student at community college and became a Ralph Bunche Scholar. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I organized fellow honors students to provide peer tutoring to support classmates struggling with remote learning challenges. These experiences strengthened my leadership and problem-solving skills while reminding me of the importance of community in overcoming obstacles. From there, I transferred to Columbia GS as a psychology major.

I applied to GS because it is one of the very few institutions that celebrates untraditional paths and diverse experiences, offering students like me the opportunity to thrive in an inclusive and rigorous academic environment. As a first-generation college student who took a nontraditional route to higher education, I initially questioned whether I could succeed at an Ivy League university. However, my time as an undergraduate at GS transformed that doubt into confidence.

During my time as an undergrad at GS, I was surrounded by like-minded peers and supported by resources that reignited my passion for medicine. Courses like abnormal psychology and other neuroscience-heavy psychology courses expanded my understanding of the mind-body connection, while research assistance at ISERP allowed me to explore the real-world impact of healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic. These experiences sharpened my critical thinking skills and reaffirmed my commitment to evidence-based care, while also showing me the value of a supportive, intellectually stimulating community.

Returning to GS for the post-baccalaureate premedical program feels like the natural next step. It’s not just about preparing for medical school—it’s about continuing a journey that GS has already helped shape. The supportive community, world-class resources, and interdisciplinary focus make GS the ideal place for me to take the next step toward fulfilling my lifelong dream of becoming a physician.

The best advice I’ve received is, “Don’t compare yourself to others. You don’t know their starting point, the resources available to them, or the challenges they’ve faced.” This wisdom has been a guiding force throughout my journey as a first-generation college student from a working-class background. In high school, I often felt inadequate compared to peers who had access to opportunities I couldn’t afford. Over time, I’ve learned to focus on my own path and see my unique challenges as strengths, not limitations. At GS, this mindset helped me thrive by embracing the opportunities available to me and celebrating my own progress. As I begin the post-baccalaureate premedical program, I’ll continue to carry this perspective, staying focused on my growth and reminding myself how far I’ve come.

Nicholas Coleman

Hometown: New Paris, Ohio

I grew up in a small farm town in Ohio surrounded by corn and alfalfa fields, which is quite a transition to now being surrounded by towering skyscrapers. In my third year of college, I decided to put my educational pursuits on hold and enlist in the US Navy. For the better part of a decade, I worked as a deep-sea diver. As exhilarating and rewarding as that career was, I knew a change was needed. So after much discernment, I decided to pursue a career path in medicine. 

After already having completed a bachelor's degree in business administration while I was on active duty, I still needed to complete the required science prerequisite courses needed for medical school. Knowing this, a mentor of mine recommended a postbac premed program. When investigating which schools to apply to, Columbia University soon showed up on my radar. Given its history, prestige, and rigorous academic challenge, I knew this was the program I was looking for. I feel very blessed to be given this opportunity and to also be amongst such a highly driven and motivated student body.

Outside of my academic pursuits, my hobbies include golfing, jiu jitsu, surfing, photography, being outdoors, reading, philosophy, and staying active within my church. The best advice I’ve ever received is work hard and trust in God.

Daniel Oh

Home states: New York and New Jersey

I enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2011 and was selected to join a special operations unit called Force Recon. I deployed twice abroad in response to embassy reinforcement initiatives after the 2012 Benghazi embassy attacks and the 2015 Yemen embassy evacuation. Afterward, I worked at Citibank's headquarters at 388 Greenwich St. as an Assistant VP in Product and then as a Management and Program Analyst at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency at DHS.

I completed my bachelors in economics here at Columbia. I can't think of a better place to do my postbac and begin pursuing my MD. The best advice I’ve received, and which I’ll carry with me throughout my time at GS, is to enjoy the journey with your loved ones.

Rowan Goldin

Hometown: Sea Bright, New Jersey

As an undergraduate student at Kenyon College, I majored in neuroscience, where the close relationships I fostered with my professors deepened my interest in the field. With their encouragement, I decided to pursue medicine. My journey truly began the summer before my sophomore year when I shadowed Dr. Jonathan Lustgarten, a Columbia-trained neurosurgeon. Watching my classroom studies come to life in a clinical setting ignited a deep passion for medicine.

Following this experience, I conducted basic research in my advisor's neuroendocrinology lab, studying how plasticizers impact the brain and hormone systems in rats. I then interned at the University of Cincinnati Health with Dr. Hyacinth, researching the effects of adhesion molecules on cerebral microvascular hemodynamics in humanized sickle cell mice. This work enhanced my love for research which I found not only incredibly interesting, but I also recognized its potential to create new knowledge that could help countless people. Most recently, during my internship at NYU Langone, I conducted clinical research on phantom sensations and shadowed world-renowned NYU neurologist, Dr. Tsao. Interacting with patients daily and experiencing the emotional rewards of helping individuals solidified my desire to pursue my dream of becoming a doctor.

Knowing I needed to complete the medical school course requirements, Columbia was my top option for postbac premed programs. I would spend 12-hour days in the operating room with Dr. Lustgarten where he would describe Columbia, the classes, and day-to-day life. It resonated with me and it has been my personal goal and aspiration to attend school at Columbia ever since. Recognizing that Columbia has one of the oldest and most decorated Postbac Premed programs in the country, I will be able to surround myself with some of the brightest students and professors who I am confident will inspire and motivate me daily, much as my professors did at Kenyon. Through my conversations with faculty and students during the application process, I gained a strong sense of community, which was one of my favorite aspects at Kenyon.

Outside of academics, I was a college athlete and captain of the Kenyon lacrosse team. This experience taught me invaluable lessons about teamwork, resilience, and discipline. My coach, Doug Misarti, often emphasized that enjoying and embracing the process is just as important as achieving the goal—a mindset I will carry into my studies at Columbia GS. Beyond lacrosse, I co-founded a chapter of Morgan's Message, a foundation promoting mental health awareness in athletes, and served as a KSTEM mentor for two years, providing academic and personal guidance to younger students.