Matthew Davila-Nico ’24 — who envisions a medical career in pediatrics or orthopedic sports medicine — is pursuing a master’s in comparative biomedical science at the University of Georgia. But before heading to graduate school, he attended a biotech boot camp, earning a certification in lab skills essential for biotech manufacturing and pharmaceuticals. This drive to go the extra mile characterized Davila-Nico’s undergraduate experiences.
“I ultimately chose Berry because of the supportive community, focus on academics and, of course, to play college baseball for a successful program,” he says. “I could tell the school really builds discipline and takes care of their students academically and athletically.”
After playing baseball for a couple of years, he devoted himself to service, volunteering in Berry’s student-run ESL program and at the North Broad Youth Center. “Coming from a disadvantaged area, being able to serve was something important to me as it pertains to my education,” Davila-Nico explains. “Helping non-English speakers be able to learn English and watching them grow over the years was very nice to see. Supporting elementary school kids emotionally and physically, being seen as a big brother/father figure to them, as well as being able to tutor them, was a blessing.”
A similar passion drove Davila-Nico academically. He says majoring in biochemistry lays a solid foundation and prepares pre-med students for the MCAT. “The pre-health advisor at Berry definitely gave me guidance on what the route to medical school looks like and the commitment it requires,” he adds. “I had no prior knowledge or people around me who were physicians, so he really helped me stay informed and on the path for medical school.”
Davila-Nico completed his college career in a study abroad program focusing on tropical biomedicine and public health in Cuba.
Currently, the future physician juggles his studies with work as a patient service representative for Piedmont Urgent Care. “I feel like Berry really prepared me to handle everything,” he reflects. “You need to be very determined, disciplined and willing to sacrifice … so whatever hardship I am facing, I know it is just temporary and bigger things are coming!”
Wherever he goes in his health-care career, Davila-Nico plans to build on Martha Berry’s legacy of investing in others: “I hope to work in underserved communities and possibly go to the Dominican Republic or Cuba to do work as well. … I would like to combine my knowledge and training in biotechnology to possibly found a biotech start-up for chronic diseases.”
