Draft:Cecilio Sandoval

• Comment: In accordance with Wikipedia's Conflict of interest policy, I disclose that I have a conflict of interest regarding the subject of this article. 141.161.163.139 (talk) 03:28, 27 May 2025 (UTC)

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Cecilio Sandoval Aguilar (born 17 April 2004) is an American musician and composer. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Biology of Global Health with a minor in Music at Georgetown University. Widely recognized for his work at the intersection of neuroscience, public health, and music, Sandoval’s scholarship and artistic contributions reflect a commitment to health equity, cultural expression, and interdisciplinary innovation. His original musical compositions are available on all major streaming platforms, and his research has earned fellowships and leadership appointments across several prestigious institutions.

Early Life and Education

Sandoval was born and raised in the rural, unincorporated community of Cutler-Orosi in California’s Central Valley, where he developed a strong sense of community advocacy shaped by the lived experiences of farmworking families like his own. As a first-generation college student, he earned numerous national scholarships and honors for his academic promise, including the Dell Scholarship and Hispanic Scholarship Fund Award.

In 2022, he graduated from Orosi High School in Orosi, CA as a valedictorian and in the Academy of Health Sciences. He was accepted and enrolled at Georgetown University in mid-2022. His studies focus on the biological and social determinants of health, especially within underserved and Latinx communities. He has also pursued interdisciplinary coursework in neuroscience, ethics, and public policy.

Research and Scholarship

In 2023, Sandoval was selected as a Laidlaw Foundation Undergraduate Leadership and Research Scholar, a global fellowship program supporting undergraduate students conducting independent research and leadership development. His Laidlaw project, titled "The Impact Music Has on Brain Plasticity: Cognition, Neuroplasticity, and Musical Training," investigates the cognitive and neurological benefits of musical engagement, especially its implications for emotional regulation, early childhood education, and therapeutic practices for neurological disorders.

His research draws from neuroscience, psychology, and music theory, focusing on brain plasticity in response to rhythmic entrainment, tonal memory, and auditory-motor synchronization. As part of the program, he presented findings on the cognitive effects of music training at several academic symposia.

Sandoval has also worked as an editorial board member of the Georgetown Scientific Research Journal, where he helped review and publish undergraduate-led scientific research spanning environmental science, health equity, and emerging technologies.

Music and Composition

Parallel to his scientific pursuits, Sandoval is a prolific composer and musician. His debut album, "When Silence Became Music," released in February 2025, blends minimalist piano with orchestral textures to explore memory, silence, and emotional resonance. The album is available on Spotify, Apple Music, and iHeartRadio.

Sandoval’s musical catalog includes instrumental works like "Expedition," a cinematic piece inspired by migration and movement, and "rainy days (improvisation)," which showcases his improvisational style and emotional nuance. His compositions frequently feature layered harmonies and tempo shifts, reflecting his interest in how music can model emotional states and cognitive processes.

In interviews and album notes, he has cited influences ranging from Ludovico Einaudi and Ólafur Arnalds to traditional Mexican ballads and 20th-century classical composers.

Personal Life

Clinical and Professional Experience

From 2023 to 2025, Sandoval worked as an Assistant Clinical Research Coordinator at Stanford University School of Medicine. There, he contributed to the Autism and Developmental Disorders Research Program, supporting longitudinal studies on developmental trajectories and early intervention strategies. He gained experience in clinical data collection, participant coordination, and neurodevelopmental assessments.

In Spring 2025, he was appointed as a Pediatric Epilepsy Research Intern in the Loddenkemper Research Laboratory at Boston Children's Hospital. Under the mentorship of leading neurologists, he engaged in EEG analysis and seizure detection studies in pediatric patients, contributing to translational research aimed at improving treatment algorithms for epilepsy and related disorders.

Campus Leadership and Advocacy

On campus, Sandoval is deeply involved in service, advocacy, and mentoring. He serves as the Publications Liaison for the Minority Association of Pre-Medical Students (MAPS) where he amplifies student voices and publishes newsletters on equity in medicine.

He also holds a leadership position in Movimiento Estudiantil Chicanx de Aztlán (M.E.Ch.A.) at Georgetown University, serving as co-treasurer. In this role, he has organized events like "Noche de Lotería" and participated in broader campus efforts to advance Latinx visibility, solidarity, and cultural pride.

As a passionate mentor, he has worked as a tutor for underrepresented students in D.C. public schools and served as an Orientation Advisor to first-year students. His work was profiled in The Hoya during Georgetown's Hispanic Heritage Month celebration for his contributions to building inclusive academic spaces.

Public Health Advocacy and Legislative Interests

Rooted in his Central Valley upbringing, Sandoval is an outspoken advocate for healthcare access, environmental justice, and migrant worker protections. His legislative interests include expanding Medi-Cal coverage, funding mobile clinics, and recruiting culturally competent healthcare providers to underserved regions. He has applied this passion in internships with healthcare coalitions and has expressed interest in future roles within public health policy.

Discography

• "rainy days (improvisation)" (2025)
• When Silence Became Music (2025)
• "Expedition" (2024)