Hero Scholars: Alijah Abellana

As the eldest of seven younger siblings, Alijah Abellana has been a source of guidance and stability since childhood, a role that shaped her instinct to help others feel seen and supported long before she stepped into formal leadership. Since middle school, she has volunteered with her church’s Community Ministry, mentoring children in daycare programs and now supporting women of all ages and backgrounds through prayer and community connection.

Her leadership on campus mirrors her leadership at home. Alijah founded the FutureRx Biopharm Scholars Club at Nevada State University, fostering communication and community among students navigating the Fast Track BS/PharmD program in partnership with Roseman, while conducting undergraduate research on genetic stress response pathways in Bacillus subtilis. She has also worked as a violin and viola instructor, designing individualized lessons that build confidence and technique in students of all skill levels.

Now pursuing a Fast Track BS/PharmD with Nevada State University through Roseman University’s College of Pharmacy in Henderson, Alijah brings a rare combination of scientific curiosity, organizational leadership, and a heart shaped by service and family responsibility. The Hero Scholarship, funded by Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada, will support her mission to become a pharmacist who listens, adapts, and leads with both competence and compassion.