Q&A: Meet Sarina Roy-Moder

Meet Sarina Roy-Moder, a remarkable student from Chandler, Arizona and a 2024 Alisa's Angels Scholarship Recipient! A graduate of BASIS Chandler, Sarina is set to attend Barrett, The Honors College at ASU this fall, where she will double major in Chemical Engineering and Electrical Engineering. Her passion for both chemistry and English, discovered during her high school years, fuels her ambition to develop safer and more sustainable technological solutions. Sarina's dedication to making a positive impact on our world is what inspired us most about her story.

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

I watched as a cancer-ridden senior citizen I had been performing songs for started to smile– it was as if I could see the light from behind her eyes. That was the day I realized one of my greatest purposes in life was to help others. I applied for the Alisa’s Angels Scholarship to continue pursuing my love of service.

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

As a lab intern, I’ve been part of an initiative working towards combining decarbonization with desalination in water filtration systems to reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. I’m excited to continue my research on this project in college, working towards mitigating the harmful impacts of climate change to ensure the survival of our planet and future generations.

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

I’ve loved organizing diverse cultural events, from Diwali celebrations to Contigo festivals celebrating Hispanic culture, as it’s always been important to me to bring people together and work towards more extensive representation. I hope to continue finding ways to foster inclusivity and connections between people in the communities I’ll be part of in the future.

What is a personal achievement or milestone you are particularly proud of?

I’m proud of being able to make a difference in my school’s community, as I received the 11th-grade Student of the Year award. By fostering meaningful discussions in my classes, holding leadership roles in many clubs, running events, and baking cookies for my teachers, I deeply enjoyed creating a sense of closeness and collaboration among my peers and administration.

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

From transcribing thoughts onto restaurant napkins to stopping mid-shower to write down a poem I came up with on a damp Post-it note, writing is a profound passion of mine that I hold close to my heart. I’ve written all my life, exploring themes and emotions through short stories, prose, and poetry.

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

Throughout high school, I learned the value of perseverance and unwavering dedication to my endeavors. Whether it was in academics, clubs I was leading, or anything I was involved in, I learned that the greatest success results from hard work and persistence. These essential skills have prepared me to take on anything that life brings with a plan of action.

Can you share a challenge you’ve overcome and what you learned from it?

Having to juggle being a caregiver for my grandmother with Stage 4 lung cancer while balancing starting high school amidst the height of the COVID-19 pandemic was the most difficult challenge I’ve ever faced. I learned essential time management skills, adaptability, and how to stay hopeful and persevere through what feels like an impossible time.