Andres Villarreal
Hometown: Aurora, IL
Year: Junior
Major: Neuroscience
BIOGRAPHY
Hello! My name is Andrés, and I am a junior studying Neuroscience on the Pre-PA track. Although this is my third year of university, I am a transfer student from a community college in my hometown, so this is my first year attending UIUC. Outside of the Illini 4000, I have mainly become involved in the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Club and the Outdoor Adventure Club, and I hope to join other organizations in the future. My love for the outdoors comes from camping experiences as a kid and learning to like waiting for the school bus in freezing temperatures. Now, I am honored to be part of the 2025 Bike America Team and am looking forward to spending my summer biking cross-country towards a noble and meaningful cause.
PERSONAL STATEMENT
There is a quote that I keep in my notes app on my phone that reads: "Devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning". This snippet of wisdom is what helped my decide on a career in the medical field. As did it help me understand that life is to be experienced giving others your time. Because when I can give someone my time, it is the closest feeling to being alive as I ever feel. That said, when I heard the mission of I4K, I could make sense that their goals aligned with mine. Cancer affects everyone, and I hope myself and the other team members can make a difference to all those that are impacted.