51暗网

The sophomore biology major from Shaler, Pa., aspires to become a physician鈥攖he first doctor in his family鈥攁nd he looks forward to partnering with faculty and classmates on research and clinical opportunities throughout his undergraduate career. 
 
Xander knows that good physicians think on their feet and work as a team鈥攁ll qualities he鈥檚 developed over the past six summers as a lifeguard at his community pool. 
 
鈥淚 love that job and it鈥檚 treated me well,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 like sitting in the sun, watching the water and keeping everyone safe.鈥�

A leader on deck 

 While Xander has stepped in several times over the years to help struggling swimmers and administer first-aid, a situation in summer 2024 required him to put all of his training to the test.
 
鈥淚 was overlooking the shallow water and I heard someone yelling to call 9-1-1,鈥� said Xander. 
 
Xander blew his whistle four times to indicate immediate danger. The pool cleared, and his colleagues met at the site of the emergency.
 
Xander approached as fellow lifeguards were administering CPR. Neither the guards nor two nurses who happened to be nearby were able to find a pulse. 
 
鈥淚 started chest compressions, and on compression 16 he took a large, deep breath and sat up,鈥� said Xander. 鈥淚 explained what happened and placed ice on the back of his head and on his chest. From there, we asked questions to determine if he was cognitively ok and waited for the ambulance.鈥�
 
Xander notes that he was 鈥渋n the right place at the right time鈥� and his training prepared him for this scenario. He鈥檚 thankful for his colleagues who knew exactly what to do and for the appreciation he felt from the swimmer鈥檚 family. 
 
鈥淲e had a great outcome from a horrible situation,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e had to do our job right to make sure he could walk away from this.鈥�

Team player, traveler and future physician

Xander acknowledges that this type of care requires the effort of a team, similar to what he鈥檒l encounter someday as a physician. 
 
While he was originally interested in oncology, Xander also has considered cardiology. He鈥檚 met with individuals employed in each field to learn more about their day-to-day and to get a running start on this meaningful career. 
 
鈥淭here are so many options that I鈥檝e started to learn about that I could see myself doing,鈥� said Xander. 鈥淚 just have to experience it to determine if it鈥檚 what I see myself doing for the rest of my life.鈥�
 
In addition to exploring his future profession, Xander is passionate about exploring the world and learning how history can shape our future. He is determined to visit all seven continents and has progressed toward this goal through the Duquesne in Rome program and a visit to Paris.
 
While overseas, Xander visited catacombs, built confidence by exploring on his own, and observed remnants of World War II, including Parisian buildings with shrapnel-embedded walls.  
 
Just as lifeguarding has shaped Xander鈥檚 character and sharpened his view of the person he鈥檇 like to become, travel has done the same. It鈥檚 shifted him to a new and clearer vantage point鈥攂oth in terms of what he鈥檚 studying and the larger world.
 
鈥淢y trips were such a surreal experience and I think everyone needs to travel to understand why we can鈥檛 let certain things happen again,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t gives a greater understanding of the world.鈥�