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Letiunasema Nuusila

1,675

Bold Points

1x

Finalist

1x

Winner

Bio

I am passionate, hardworking, skillful, persistent, and honest. I can adapt to a new environment or setting. In addition, I possess leadership, organizational, cooperation, communication, and several other skills that aid me in pursuing knowledge for the future.

Education

Cornell University

Bachelor's degree program
2023 - 2027
  • Majors:
    • Agricultural and Food Products Processing
    • Agricultural/Animal/Plant/Veterinary Science and Related Fields, Other

Samoana High School

High School
2019 - 2023

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Doctoral degree program (PhD, MD, JD, etc.)

  • Graduate schools of interest:

  • Transfer schools of interest:

  • Majors of interest:

    • Agricultural and Food Products Processing
    • International Agriculture
    • Sustainability Studies
    • Agricultural/Animal/Plant/Veterinary Science and Related Fields, Other
    • Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology
  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Research

    • Dream career goals:

      Earn degree and become a plant scientist, then return home to American Samoa to serve my community and nurture future generations of agricultural professionals and scientists.

    • Environmental Committee Member

      Cornell University Student Assembly
      2024 – Present1 year
    • Undergraduate Research Assistant

      Cornell University CALS DiTommaso Lab of Weed Ecology
      2023 – 20241 year
    • Undergraduate Research Assistant

      Cornell University CALS Kao-Kniffin Lab of Belowground Ecology of Invasive Plants & Weeds
      2024 – Present1 year
    • Student Researcher

      American Samoa Community College - Agriculture, Natural Resources, & Community Division
      2018 – 20224 years
    • Executive Youth Representative

      Sa'ole Drug Free Coalition
      2019 – 20212 years
    • Student Intern

      American Samoa Department of Education Business Office
      2023 – 2023

    Sports

    Football

    Varsity
    2021 – 20221 year

    Awards

    • Participant

    Research

    • Soil Sciences

      Cornell University SIPS Kao-Kniffin Lab — Research Assistant
      2024 – Present
    • Sustainability Studies

      American Samoa Community College — Student Researcher
      2018 – 2019
    • Botany/Plant Biology

      American Samoa Community College Agriculture, Community, and Natural Resources Division — Student Researcher
      2017 – 2018
    • Agricultural and Food Products Processing

      American Samoa Community College — Student Researcher
      2020 – 2021

    Arts

    • Poe Mageo's Silipa's Playhouse

      Acting
      Twinderella the Musical
      2017 – 2018
    • Cornell University

      Music
      Cornell Chorale 2024 Spring Concert: Aspects of Love, Cornell Chorale 2024 Fall Concert: Moonlit Reverie
      2024 – Present
    • Poe Mageo's School of Music

      Music
      2016 Fall Orchestra Concert, 2017 Spring Orchestra Concert
      2016 – 2018

    Public services

    • Volunteering

      Back Bay Mission — Volunteer
      2024 – 2024
    • Volunteering

      Loaves & Fishes of Tompkins County — Volunteer
      2024 – Present
    • Advocacy

      Cornell American Red Cross — Volunteer
      2023 – 2023
    • Volunteering

      Sa'ole Drug Free Coalition — Youth Member
      2017 – 2021
    • Volunteering

      Feed My Starving Children — Volunteer
      2023 – 2023
    • Volunteering

      Congregational Christian Church of American Samoa Youth Association — Member & Co-Leader
      2016 – Present
    • Volunteering

      Finafinau Community Service Project — Member
      2020 – 2022

    Future Interests

    Advocacy

    Politics

    Volunteering

    Philanthropy

    Entrepreneurship

    Freddie L Brown Sr. Scholarship
    West Family Scholarship
    Imagine a world where no child goes to bed hungry, where families don’t have to choose between paying rent and putting food on the table—this is not a distant dream, but a goal within our reach if we take bold steps to stamp out food insecurity once and for all. Yet, the reality is stark: food insecurity remains one of the most pressing issues of our time. Millions of people lack access to nutritious food, children suffer from malnutrition that stunts their growth and potential, and families are forced to make impossible choices as the cost of living continues to rise. With these facts in mind, I decided to join the call to stomp out hunger and helping to establish food security. My path to this is through my current field of Agricultural Science. I decided to take on this issue from its origin, at the root, and work from there into production and eventually distribution. The challenge is not simply one of production but of distribution, sustainability, and equity. As a student specializing in agricultural sciences with a focus on plant research and sustainable agriculture, I am committed to addressing this issue by developing farming methods that balance productivity, environmental responsibility, and economic viability. One of the key aspects of food insecurity is the unequal distribution of food across different regions. While some areas experience food surpluses, others struggle with chronic shortages. My goal is to contribute to the creation of more efficient and equitable food systems that ensure better access to food for vulnerable populations. This involves working on innovative agricultural solutions that improve yields without depleting natural resources or harming the environment. Sustainability is at the core of my approach. Many farmers, especially smallholders, face the difficult trade-off between maximizing their income and adopting environmentally friendly practices. Through research in sustainable agriculture, I aim to bridge this gap by promoting methods that increase productivity while maintaining soil health, conserving water, and reducing reliance on harmful chemicals. For example, agroecological practices, precision farming, and crop diversification all play a role in creating resilient farming systems that benefit both people and the planet. Beyond research, I am also passionate about empowering farmers with knowledge and resources. Many small-scale farmers lack access to the latest advancements in agricultural technology and sustainable practices. By immersing myself in extension services, policy advocacy, or agricultural development programs, I hope to provide farmers with practical tools and education that will help them adopt more sustainable and profitable methods. Supporting farmers in this way not only improves food production but also strengthens local economies and enhances food security at a community level. The fight against hunger requires a multi-faceted and holistic approach, and I am dedicated to being part of that solution. Whether through research, advocacy, or direct engagement with farmers, I am eager to contribute to a future where food is more equitably distributed, farming is both productive and sustainable, and no one has to suffer from hunger.