Beyond Cancer Spotlight: Maria Guadalupe Mendoza Del Toro

Maria Guadalupe Mendoza Del Toro (She/Her/Hers) is a second-year medical student and a PRIME-LC (Program in Medical Education for the Latino Community) scholar. Read on to learn more about her story.

1. What are your career/research interests? 

I am currently a second-year medical student at UCI. I am still exploring specialties, but I have a strong interest in pediatrics, medical oncology, and radiation oncology. While most of my research has focused on radiation oncology treatment outcomes, I am also interested in examining how socioeconomic factors and timely access to oncology care influence patient outcomes.

2. How did your early life experiences shape your education and career choices? 

I grew up in a predominantly Latinx community in Inland Southern California. I witnessed how social, financial, and political barriers impacted my community’s access to care. This sparked my interest in the field of medicine, and my clinical experiences in college and during my gap years further reinforced my desire to become an advocate and culturally sensitive physician for my community.

3. What brought you to UCI?

I chose UCI because the School of Medicine’s five-year, dual-degree Program in Medical Education for the Latino Community (PRIME-LC) offered a unique opportunity that would not only provide me with excellent preparation for my future role as a bilingual physician but would also equip me with knowledge and experiences that would enrich my work as an advocate and community leader.

4. How did you connect with others to build your own sense of community and belonging at work? 

I had the privilege of participating in the CFCCC Oncology Summer Internship this summer, a 4-week program that integrated clinical shadowing, invaluable lectures, and weekly reflections. Throughout the program, I met resilient patients and healthcare teams that worked diligently to provide the best possible care. I feel honored to be part of the same community as them and am inspired to continue working hard to contribute to the quality care being delivered to our community members.

5. What motivates you to serve your community and contribute to the CFCCC mission? 

I feel very fortunate to be part of the PRIME LC program at UCI because it has provided me with a community of students who share similar experiences, culture and career goals. Through conversations in our Chicano/Latino Studies class, Service Learning Projects, and LMSA activities, I am able to integrate my personal values with my professional experiences, and in the process create a sense of community on campus.

6. What challenges have you experienced in your professional journey?

 Navigating higher education as a first-generation student involved a steep learning curve. It wasn’t until I found a community and support system in Berkeley’s Biology Scholars Program that I felt confident in my ability to successfully balance rigorous coursework, a part-time job, extracurriculars, and personal responsibilities.

7. What personal or professional accomplishment are you most proud of? 

My first manuscript was published in Practical Radiation Oncology last year. I am immensely grateful to my mentor at Stanford for their guidance and mentorship with this project and throughout my gap years.

8. What are your interests/hobbies outside of work? 

Outside of school I like to bake, paint with watercolor, and try new coffee shops.

9. What is a fun or random fact about you? 

I spent the summer after my junior year of college studying physics at the University of Sussex in Brighton, England.

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