Dr. Sobel Announces the Fifth Annual WISE Scholarship Winner
Dr. Alexander Sobel is honored to award the 2021 WISE Scholarship to Mattawa, Washington student, Diana Hernandez.
Seattle, Washington, June 20, 2022—Alexander Sobel, DO, FAACS, of Bellevue, is pleased to award the fifth annual WISE (Women in STEM Excel) Scholarship to Diana Hernandez, a high school senior at Desert Oasis High School in Mattawa, Washington. Created in 2016, the WISE Scholarship was designed to support female students living in Washington State who are pursuing a degree in a STEM-related field.
A highly motivated and self-disciplined student, Hernandez’s goal is to study Interactive Media Design at the University of Washington – Bothell so that she can pursue a career as a computer programmer and UX designer. While in college, she plans to either volunteer or work at organizations that are helping students who are low-income, female-identifying, and/or Hispanic. She also wants to join or create computer science clubs at her university and local K-12 schools. Hernandez’s former English teacher described her as “a builder, a future engineer that is capable of things ordinary people are not,” and as having “a natural passion for learning.”
Hernandez wants to help under-represented groups obtain access to STEM-related careers. “For many years, STEM areas such as computer science have been mostly dominated by men. Introducing more women to these industries will help bring different perspectives to the table that can help expand their potential.”
“For many years, STEM areas such as computer science have been mostly dominated by men. Introducing more women to these industries will help bring different perspectives to the table that can help expand their potential.” — Diana Hernandez
Due to the impacts of COVID-19, Dr. Sobel increased the WISE Scholarship award amount from $1,500 to $3,500 this year as a way to further ease the financial burden for its recipient. The $3,500 scholarship will allow Hernandez to offset her tuition costs and educational expenses, including supplies and textbooks, required technology, transportation costs, and on-campus expenses.
“Once I get my degree, not only will I work on developing my career, but I will also work towards giving Hispanic and/or female students the advice and resources they need to explore their interests in technology, design, or both,” she says.
Dr. Sobel says, “I cannot think of a recipient who better combines a keen understanding of computer science with a passion for helping historically marginalized groups. It is my absolute pleasure to award Ms. Hernandez the 2021 WISE Scholarship for her commitment to STEM and to empowering young female and female-identifying individuals everywhere.”
In previous years, the WISE Scholarship has been awarded to a Mechanical Engineering and Artificial Intelligence student at the University of Washington, an Engineering student at Seattle University, a Geophysics student at Western Washington University, and a Biochemistry and Molecular Biology student at Lewis & Clark College.
“I cannot think of a recipient who better combines a keen understanding of computer science with a passion for helping historically marginalized groups. It is my absolute pleasure to award Ms. Hernandez the 2021 WISE Scholarship for her commitment to STEM and to empowering young female and female-identifying individuals everywhere.” — Dr. Sobel
About Seattle-area surgeon Dr. Alexander Sobel
Dr. Sobel is an award-winning cosmetic surgeon based in Bellevue, Washington. Both in and out of his practice, Dr. Sobel is well-known and respected for his kindness, generosity, and commitment to providing patients with access to safe, quality treatment. His practice is located at 1632 116th Ave. NE, Suite A, Bellevue, WA. For more information, call (425) 453-9060 or visit www.andersonsobelcosmetic.com.
Media Contact
Lisbell Abreu, 425-453-9060, lisbell@andersonsobelcosmetic.com.