My name is Tia, and I am a first-year international student at Duke School of Medicine, originally from Bucharest, Romania. For my undergraduate education, I attended Florida International University, where I pursued a dual degree in Biological Sciences. Before coming to Duke, I worked as a Teaching and Research Assistant in a protein engineering lab, interned for the American Red Cross Disaster Action Team, and volunteered at the National Institute of Military Research and the Fundeni Cancer Institute in Romania. My interest in primary care stems from the understanding that prevention and education are essential to managing long-term chronic illness. I am passionate about working in underserved communities, focusing on patient education and long-term care. Outside of medicine, I enjoy writing, reading, and traveling.