Q&A: Meet Anastasia Sheleg

Meet Anastasia Sheleg, a recipient of the 2024 Alisa's Angels scholarship. Anastasia is from Scottsdale, Arizona, and a graduate of BASIS Scottsdale. Anastasia's passion for science and helping others has driven her to pursue a career as a rheumatologist. She will be attending the University of Arizona to major in Biology, aiming to make a positive impact in the medical field.

What inspired you to apply for the Alisa’s Angels Scholarship? 

I was inspired to apply for the Alisa’s Angels Scholarship because I was intrigued by Alisa's Angels mission to support students who give back to their community. I have always believed that no matter how far one goes in life, giving back to their community should always remain a priority. Alisa’s Angels mission aligned with my own and thus I was inspired to apply to this amazing scholarship.

Who has been your biggest role model or mentor, and how have they influenced your journey?

My biggest role model has always been my mom. Seeing her work so hard as a nurse practitioner to help support our family while also making sure to take time out of her day to be there for me and my brother drove me to work even harder and to never have the mindset that “I don’t have enough time” to see my commitments through.

What are you most excited about as you embark on your future plans?

As I embark on my future plans I am most excited to continue my studies in biology and medicine as well as to hopefully travel abroad to Europe and Asia after I become a rheumatologist to gain new perspectives on medicine and culture. 

How do you hope to make a difference in your community or field of study?

I aim to discover new approaches towards the study and treatment of autoimmune diseases. Autoimmune diseases are one of the most complex diseases to treat, for it often takes years to simply diagnose an autoimmune disease let alone find a cure for it. Although autoimmune diseases affect millions of people, they are often overlooked and understudied in comparison to other medical conditions and I strive to change that.

What are some of your favorite hobbies or interests outside of academics?

Outside of school and academics I share a passion for contemporary and ballroom dance. I have been a dancer since I was 7 years old and over the years I have used dance as an outlet to express myself under the stress of my academic environment.

How did your high school experience prepare you for your future endeavors?

My high school experience played a major role in preparing me for my future endeavors. High school didn’t simply teach me the information that I could use to excel in my college courses, it taught me how to utilize my time, how to approach difficult situations, and how to properly communicate and work with others. High school taught me skills that I will use for the rest of my life.