Natalia Kawalec

A student passionate about biological sciences and looking forward to changing lives through future work in neuropsychiatric research focused on alleviating pain experienced by individuals affected by mental disorders or trauma. With a strong background showing the ability to adapt to new circumstances and hard-workingness. A dedicated and dependable student, holding academic and professional performance up to a high standard.

Honorary mention in the II County Competition "Antiquity - from word to action" - December 2018

Individual course of study in Polish Language in the school year 2018/2019 - September, 2018 to June, 2019

• Awarded permission for participation in the individual course of study after becoming a finalist of the curatorial Polish Language contest in 8th grade.
• Took part in one-on-one classes with a Polish language teacher in order to learn material outside of the curriculum and prepare for future competitions.

Received the Award For Academic Excellence in the Spanish Language

Received the Award For Academic Excellence in Chemistry

Recipient of the Burger Law Scholarship.

Reach-A-Peer Helpline - September 2022 to Present

RAPline is a helpline available to Penn students that offers information, support, and referrals.

● Completed an extensive training to become a staffer

● Took phone calls from Penn students to offer support and help direct them towards long-term solutions

●  Practiced active listening techniques and active empathy

Penn Neuroscience Society - September 2022 to Present 

●  Took part in meetings in order to explore the field of neuroscience

● Took part in physician shadowing speaker events in order to learn more about the field of medicine

Neuroscience Research Academy - University of Pennsylvania - July, 2021 

● Took part daily in activities meant to increase the student's understanding of neuroscience: lectures, lab activities, lab discussions, journal club and neuroethics club meetings. 

● At the end of the program, presented projects for both of the clubs - a presentation about a chosen neuroethics issue, and a scientific poster about OCD. 

Students Run Philly Style  - March, 2021 to December, 2022 

● Consistently took part in weekly running sessions and prepared for races. 

● Challenged herself to reach goals despite encountered difficulties. 

● Completed the Broad Street Run (10miles), the Half Marathon (13.6miles), as well as the Marathon (26.2miles) 

Fiber Arts - October, 2020 to June, 2021 

● Developed creative thinking and manual skills through working with fabric to complete projects. 

● Consistently attended weekly meetings.

National Honor Society - September, 2020 to June, 2022 

● Took initiative to enrich the school life through helping to organize events. 

●Helped organize the Asian American Pacific Islander Symposium by contacting possible speakers, successfully obtaining consent for 

participation from the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco. ● Tutored other students in the Spanish language and chemistry. 

Nativity play with a smile - theater project - September 2018 to June 2019 

● Took part in a long-term theater project completed over the course of the school year. 

● Consistently took part in scheduled rehearsals. 

● Took on one of the main roles - the narrator - and memorized all of the assigned lines. 

● Performed in front of the school and in a retirement home as a way to connect with the seniors living there. 

Senior Project on BCI Technology - September 2021 to May 2022 

● Deeply researched a topic of interest over the course of the year, distinguishing useful information from unreliable one. 

● Effectively reported findings in a 17-page long essay. ● Consulted with the teacher to ensure the high quality of the project. 

Buddy Volunteer at Action Wellness - 1216 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA - May, 2021 to Present 

● Served the role of a Buddy Volunteer through connecting with a client experiencing chronic health issues and offering them support. 

● Consistently met with the client in person or through a video call in order to foster a positive relationship between the client and the volunteer and enrich the client's day-to-day life. 

● Consistently attended monthly meetings for the organization. 

● Filled out monthly worksheets detailing the nature of interactions with the client, including informing about the client's unmet needs and giving relevant feedback on the client's situation.