Jack Hutchens
Hometown: Carlsbad, CA
Year: Freshman
Major: Engineering
Biography
Hi, my name is Jack! I’m a freshman in Engineering Undeclared considering declaration into Materials Engineering, Physics, or Computer Engineering. I’ve been a mountain biking addict ever since a fateful day in 6th grade and have since moved into competitive riding. Beyond this, I spend a lot of time working on various projects which in the past have included designing and building a motorcycle, and engineering a functional camera based autopilot system. Looking forward, I plan to continue my work on an ultralight with some of my friends back in California with a tentative completion date midway through next summer. I’ve always wanted to fly, and with this project having been in the works for a few years now, I’m excited to have a finish line in sight
Personal Statement
Despite the incredible progress being made on cancer treatment, cancer research as a whole remains chronically underfunded, with labs working to identify novel treatment vectors being particularly vulnerable. Many people close to me owe their lives to this work, much of which would not exist but for the generosity of various donors. Because of this, the opportunity to participate in the the Illini 4000 is something very significant to me. Beyond simply raising money, I am excited to showcase the various stories that come together to portray the American cancer experience. I hope this trip will be an opportunity for reflection and a source of inspiration for myself, those around me, and anyone struggling to find the drive to pursue their dreams