Congratulations to YFPA's 2025 Scholarship Awardees!
L-R: John Matthew Suntay, Gabriella Jaakkola, Noah Ross
John Matthew Suntay
Matt earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, with a concentration in Cell and Molecular Biology and a minor in Computing Applications, from San Francisco State University. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Biological and Medical Informatics at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), where he is co-mentored by Drs. Jessica de Leon and Lorenzo Pasquini. His research focuses on how bilingualism may delay symptom onset in the logopenic variant of primary progressive aphasia, a subtype of Alzheimer’s disease that impairs speech production.
As part of the de Leon lab, Matt aims to connect his science with the Filipino communities his lab serves. He works with older Filipino adults to support brain health and resilience in communities impacted by Alzheimer’s disease. His work also extends to the de Leon Lab’s annual community symposium, where he shares research findings with Filipino participants and their families. At these events, he explains how and why their data is used to advance understanding of brain health, to study how bilingualism may support resilience against Alzheimer’s disease, to ensure Filipino voices are represented in research, and to guide future studies that better serve their communities.
In the future, Matt aims to establish his own lab at a university committed to uplifting not only first-generation and Filipino students, but all historically underrepresented students in science. His goal is to maximize access to research for all students and create an environment where mentorship, representation, and inclusion drive both scientific discovery and student success.
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Gabriella Jaakkola
Gabriella Jaakkola is a proud Filipina-Finnish from a first-generation immigrant family from San Francisco whose leadership philosophy is rooted in empathy, service, and cultural pride. Growing up in SoMa Pilipinas, San Francisco’s Filipino Heritage District, she was shaped by programs like Bessie Carmichael Filipino Education Center and Galing Bata, where she developed confidence in her bicultural identity and received mentorship that guided her academic journey. Inspired by mentors she discovered her passion for STEM through coding workshops, hackathons, and cultural enrichment programs. This passion led her to UCSF’s AI4ALL program in 2024, where she collaborated on building a machine-learning model to detect early signs of Parkinson’s disease. This experience solidified her ambition to University of California, Irvine, where she will pursue biomedical engineering, with plans to explore the intersection of health and technology.
Looking toward the future, Gabriella envisions herself developing AI-powered diagnostic tools that address health disparities in underserved communities, particularly within immigrant and Filipino families. She is also committed to mentorship, and guiding the next generation of Filipino youth in STEM and help them see themselves in spaces where representation remains limited. Through her education at UC Irvine and her dedication to service, Gabriella is determined to create meaningful change, expand access to healthcare, and uplift the community that shaped her.
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Noah Ross
Noah Makaio Ross was raised in Alameda, CA, though his family hails from Kalihi, HI. He graduated from Head-Royce School, where he was highly involved in the Men’s Varsity Soccer team and various mentorship programs.
Now, Noah attends the University of Southern California (USC), where he is studying Human Biology on the Pre-Medicine track. There, he has continued to pursue mentorship roles, acting as a Captain in the USC Rock Climbing Club, Ambassador for First-Year Students, and as a teaching assistant for intro chemistry. He additionally conducts clinical orthopedic research for the University of California, Irvine (UCI), and volunteers for Project Heartbeat Oakland to help train EMT cadets. In his free time, he enjoys rock climbing, going to the gym, spending time with friends and family, and trying new restaurants!
Wanting to continue this trend of helping and teaching others, Noah plans on attending medical school after completing his undergraduate degree. With many heart problems in the family, he hopes to be a cardiothoracic surgeon, knowing that many heart problems stem from inequitable access to safe healthcare.
YFPA 2025 Scholarship Program
Empower Your Future with a YFPA Scholarship!
Ready to take your academic journey to new heights? Look no further! Your Filipino Professionals Association (YFPA) is thrilled to announce our exclusive scholarship opportunity for Bay Area students involved in the Filipino community.
Are you a graduating high school senior, a trade school enthusiast, or currently making strides in your college journey? This scholarship is for you! We're seeking dedicated students who are actively engaged in our vibrant Bay Area Filipino community. What sets this scholarship apart? Not only do we aim to fuel your academic pursuits, we're also committed to nurturing the next generation of Filipino leaders.
Your career journey begins here! Apply now before June 15, 2025!
The YFPA Scholarship Program was launched in 2014 and designed to provide financial assistance to Bay Area college-bound students who have demonstrated academic excellence, exhibited leadership potential, and are engaged in serving the Filipino Community. This year we are celebrating the 11th anniversary of our program by expanding applications to include Bay Area students involved in the Filipino community and actively pursuing a post-secondary education program. This can include an Associates of Art Degree, Bachelor’s degree, Master’s, or PhD, as well as Trade School Certification programs. YFPA aims to empower future leaders and recognize students who align with YFPA’s mission and core values to Connect, Educate, and Serve.
Requirements:
High School Heroes:
Required Application Documents for all levels:
Materials (Documents to be uploaded in ScholarsApp)
Program 2025 Timeline:
July 2025: Scholarship Awards event (Date TBD)
Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity!
Mark your calendars: the deadline for applications is on June 15, 2025, at 11:59 PM PST. Seize the Moment! Apply Now and Let Your Filipino Pride Shine!
Thank you for your interest in the YFPA Scholarship Program.
If you have questions or comments, please email Ina Bangawan, YFPA Scholarship Director, at [email protected].
For past scholars and additional information, go to: https://www.yfpasf.com/scholarship.html
Ready to take your academic journey to new heights? Look no further! Your Filipino Professionals Association (YFPA) is thrilled to announce our exclusive scholarship opportunity for Bay Area students involved in the Filipino community.
Are you a graduating high school senior, a trade school enthusiast, or currently making strides in your college journey? This scholarship is for you! We're seeking dedicated students who are actively engaged in our vibrant Bay Area Filipino community. What sets this scholarship apart? Not only do we aim to fuel your academic pursuits, we're also committed to nurturing the next generation of Filipino leaders.
Your career journey begins here! Apply now before June 15, 2025!
The YFPA Scholarship Program was launched in 2014 and designed to provide financial assistance to Bay Area college-bound students who have demonstrated academic excellence, exhibited leadership potential, and are engaged in serving the Filipino Community. This year we are celebrating the 11th anniversary of our program by expanding applications to include Bay Area students involved in the Filipino community and actively pursuing a post-secondary education program. This can include an Associates of Art Degree, Bachelor’s degree, Master’s, or PhD, as well as Trade School Certification programs. YFPA aims to empower future leaders and recognize students who align with YFPA’s mission and core values to Connect, Educate, and Serve.
Requirements:
High School Heroes:
- Graduating high school senior
- Attending a high school within a 70-mile radius of San Francisco, CA
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2
- Actively involved in the Filipino community
- Accepted into a Junior College, Bachelor's degree program, or Trade School Program
- Active student in a Post-Secondary Education Program: Junior College, Bachelor’s degree, Master’s, PhD, or Trade School
- Currently residing and/or attending a school within a 70-mile radius of San Francisco, CA
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2
- Actively involved in the Filipino community
Required Application Documents for all levels:
Materials (Documents to be uploaded in ScholarsApp)
- Essay (Link to Essay Topic)
- One (1) letter of recommendation
- Unofficial high school / college transcript
- Proof of post-secondary school acceptance or current student enrollment
Program 2025 Timeline:
- May 2025: Scholarship application available via ScholarsApp
- June 15, 2025: Application deadline
- June 16–23, 2025: Finalist interviews
- June 25, 2025: Final review and awardee approval.
July 2025: Scholarship Awards event (Date TBD)
Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity!
Mark your calendars: the deadline for applications is on June 15, 2025, at 11:59 PM PST. Seize the Moment! Apply Now and Let Your Filipino Pride Shine!
Thank you for your interest in the YFPA Scholarship Program.
If you have questions or comments, please email Ina Bangawan, YFPA Scholarship Director, at [email protected].
For past scholars and additional information, go to: https://www.yfpasf.com/scholarship.html
YFPA Scholarship Program Recipients
Academy of Art University San Francisco Scholarship
We regret to announce that the Academy of Art University Presidential Scholarship will not be offered this year.
We greatly appreciate the Academy of Art University San Francisco for collaborating with YFPA on our previous scholarships and look forward to opportunities in the future.
We greatly appreciate the Academy of Art University San Francisco for collaborating with YFPA on our previous scholarships and look forward to opportunities in the future.