Me, the DNA Dance, and My Dream to Cure Cancer: A Life Between Horses, Labs, and Aspirations at Caltech

Hi! I’m Camilla Fezzi, and I’m 19 years old. I’m an Italian girl with an unrelenting passion for science, horses, and…DNA. When people ask me how I ended up here, studying biology and chemistry at Caltech, surrounded by futuristic labs and the dream of changing the world, I never know where to start. Maybe from my classical high school in Verona, where it all began, or perhaps from a genetics lesson that forever changed my life.

A dream born among books…and a brother to steal from

I grew up in Verona, and like every student at a classical high school, I spent my time buried in Latin, Greek, and literature books. Then one day, in my sophomore year, a spark was ignited. I fell in love with STEM subjects. Math, chemistry, biology—I couldn’t stop reading. I would steal my older brother’s science books and devour them, page after page.

The turning point came during a genetics lesson. My teacher described DNA as a perfect dance: an incredible mechanism where everything replicates with precision. But what happens when this perfection breaks down? When an error triggers mutations, and sometimes, cancer? At that moment, I knew I wanted to dedicate my life to this imperfect dance.

Caltech and the ocean of dreams and music!

From that moment on, I did everything I could to chase my dream. I worked tirelessly, passing admissions tests for universities in the United States and the UK. But when Caltech called, I had no doubts. Here, in this bubble of “nerds” who share my passion for science, I finally feel at home. I’m studying biology and chemistry with the goal of entering an MD-PhD program. I aspire to become a physician-scientist, bridging the gap between the lab and the hospital, and contribute to the fight against incurable diseases, such as cancer. I am also minoring in neurobiology if you are wondering I’m crazy enough!

Since moving to the U.S., I’ve discovered so many new things, but one of the most unexpected sources of comfort has been Benson Boone’s music. I hadn’t heard of him before coming here, but his songs have quickly become the soundtrack to my life at Caltech. Whether I’m walking across campus after a long day in the lab or sitting with my horse Deesse during quiet mornings, his lyrics seem to speak to me in ways I didn’t think music could. When I hear “Sometimes I think about it as you… fade into the stars” from “In the Stars,” it feels like a reminder to hold onto hope, even in the face of uncertainty. And when he sings “You’ll never know how much it hurts, but I’m not the same without you” in “Ghost Town,” it resonates with the homesickness I feel for Verona and the people I left behind. Somehow, his music has this way of making me feel seen, like I’m not alone in navigating the challenges of this new life. It has helped me survive the tougher moments, giving me the strength to keep going and reminding me that every leap of faith is worth it.

A life between horses and microscopes

What does my typical day look like? I wake up at six in the morning, and the first thing I do is visit my horse, Deesse. Deesse is so much more than just an animal to me: she’s my partner in adventure, my refuge, and an essential part of my life here in California. I brought her with me from Italy, and now she lives just ten minutes from campus. Together, we train for show-jumping competitions, and when the day gets heavy, she’s always there to remind me to breathe.

After spending time with Deesse, I dive into the labs. I work on projects in bioengineering and molecular genetics. In the bioengineering lab, we’re developing wearable bioelectronic devices—tools that could monitor health in real-time. Meanwhile, in the biology lab, I study DNA replication mechanisms and cellular responses to genetic damage.

And you know what the best part is? Every day, I discover something new, and each discovery brings me closer to my dream: writing that final chapter in the fight against cancer.

An unforgettable experience: MD Anderson

Right now, as I write this, I’m shadowing at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, one of the most advanced oncology centers in the world. Here, I’m closely observing the work of doctors and researchers, learning not only about innovative techniques but also about the humanity and dedication required to face such a complex disease.

Spending time in operating rooms and with patients has taught me something fundamental: science is not only about theory, but also about empathy and collaboration. This experience is enriching me enormously and reinforcing my desire to become a physician-scientist.

Looking to the future

My goal is clear: I want to help change the way we fight cancer. I want to discover new therapies, improve the quality of life for patients, and maybe, one day, find the cure. But in the meantime, I’m savoring every step of the journey. Whether I’m riding Deesse, working in a Caltech lab, or walking through the halls of MD Anderson, I constantly remind myself how important it is to believe in my dreams. This summer, I spent my time mainly in laboratories at Stanford, Caltech, and here at the MD Anderson Cancer Centre. I would say now to that little girl, in a little town, in the middle of nowhere, to look where you are and try to stop, breathe, and enjoy your achievements.

As Saint John Paul II said, “Take your life in your hands and make it a masterpiece.” And that’s exactly what I’m trying to do: one step, one jump, and one discovery at a time.