For Stefania Alastre Arcusa, life has been a series of challenges and triumphs that led her to USF鈥檚 (COPH) and ultimately to her work as a genetic counselor at Moffitt Cancer Center. Her story is one of perseverance, shaped by her experiences as an immigrant, student and advocate for underserved communities.
Born in Caracas, Venezuela, Alastre Arcusa's childhood was marked by frequent relocations. "Prior to coming to the U.S., I had lived in four other countries," she shared. When she was 11, her family moved to Wesley Chapel, Fla.
鈥淲e came to the U.S. legally. My stepdad had a job opportunity, so we came as dependents. But during the recession that hit in 2007, my stepdad's work visa was not renewed. After some poor legal counsel, one thing led to another, and I fell out of legal status as a minor.鈥�
Navigating her high school years in this status presented obstacles. 鈥淚 realized when it was time to apply to college that I didn鈥檛 have the same opportunities as my classmates. I couldn鈥檛 even get a driver鈥檚 license,鈥� Alastre Arcusa said.
Alastre Arcusa鈥檚 decision to attend USF stemmed from a mixture of necessity and opportunity. 鈥淚 realized quickly that as an undocumented person, I couldn鈥檛 take out loans or qualify for certain scholarships.鈥�
Despite the challenges, she secured a spot at USF with the help of the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship and the ability to live at home. 鈥溩钚绿烀来� is such an amazing university. Never in my wildest dreams in Venezuela would I have ever accessed such a university,鈥� Alastre Arcusa reflected.
Her academic journey began with a major in cellular and molecular biology, where she discovered her passion for genetics. 鈥淚 really wanted to major in genetics, but USF did not have a genetics degree.鈥�
A bachelor鈥檚 in cellular and molecular biology was the closest degree to genetics that I could get within the biology department so I tailored my upper-level classes to focus on that.鈥� she said.
Alastre Arcusa graduated with her bachelor鈥檚 degree in cellular and molecular biology in 2017.
A turning point came when Dr. Johnny El-Rady, a professor of instruction within the USF College of Arts and Sciences, introduced genetic counseling as a potential career and mentioned Moffitt鈥檚 genetic counseling team.
鈥淚t felt like the stars were aligning because USF was launching a .鈥� With USF being the only institution in Florida offering a genetic counseling graduate degree housed within the COPH, Alastre Arcusa saw her path clearly laid out.
Despite the alignment of her interests and the COPH鈥檚 offerings, Alastre Arcusa鈥檚 path forward was far from easy. As an undocumented student in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which provided her work and driving privileges, the organization faced ongoing threats of cancellation.
鈥淓very day, I woke up wondering if DACA would be canceled,鈥� Alastre Arcusa recalled. 鈥淚 couldn鈥檛 help but calculate how many days I had left in my apartment or think about what would happen if I couldn鈥檛 renew my permit.鈥�
These concerns weighed heavily on her as she juggled her academic responsibilities and the constant uncertainty surrounding her legal status.
鈥淚 couldn鈥檛 take out a loan, so paying for a master鈥檚 degree seemed impossible without assistance,鈥� she said. Securing a position as a graduate research assistant for the COPH鈥檚 , provided relief. 鈥淭hat job was crucial; it covered part of my tuition and included health insurance,鈥� she said.
The timing of her master鈥檚 program added yet another layer of difficulty. 鈥淚 only had one in-person semester before COVID-19 hit,鈥� Alastre Arcusa said. The pandemic made an already demanding curriculum and situation even more challenging.
Despite these obstacles, Alastre Arcusa鈥檚 perseverance paid off. 鈥淚 needed to finish this degree because even if I was deported, my education was something that couldn鈥檛 be taken from me,鈥� she said.
Alastre Arcusa said the day she graduated with her MSPH in genetic counseling felt monumental. 鈥淚t felt like I had climbed Mount Everest,鈥� she shared, underscoring the emotional weight of her journey and the immense pride of achieving it debt-free.
Alastre Arcusa spoke as a guest lecturer at Dr. Sandy Westerheide鈥�s cancer biology class in the department of Molecular Biosciences in the USF College of Arts and Sciences (Photo courtesy of Alastre Arcusa)
Her current role at as a genetic counselor is one she pursued with determination. 鈥淚 applied before my rotation at Moffitt, so during my time there, I felt like I was under a microscope,鈥� she said.
鈥淥nce I was hired, I was the only bilingual provider, serving all of Central Florida, which opened opportunities for our clinic to better serve underserved communities鈥� she said.
Alastre Arcusa鈥檚 unique perspective has empowered her to advocate for equitable access and outreach. 鈥淚 am constantly thinking about how to ensure our processes do not create further barriers for minority populations,鈥� she added.
Alastre Arcusa chatting with a USF student after participating in panel to discuss the topic 鈥淗ow disparities in heath research impact health care and education.鈥� (Photo courtesy of Alastre Arcusa)
Her work extends beyond the clinic walls. She has traveled to Puerto Rico and spoken at Latina women鈥檚 cancer survivor retreats, delivering lectures in Spanish to promote awareness of genetic testing and its benefits, particularly for those without insurance. 鈥淚t鈥檚 crucial to break down barriers that prevent minority populations from accessing genetic counseling and testing,鈥� she said.
Alastre Arcusa is also a co-founder of the .
鈥淭here are now six of us, some who are students or have just graduated and are interested in genetic counseling school and/or are undocumented,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 helped start this network because when I was going to genetic counseling school, there was no roadmap from anyone else that I could find who went through the same thing. Now we share a lot of resources, have published articles and created webinars.鈥�
Based on the community outreach she has done, the National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) recently awarded Alastre Arcusa the Cultural Advocacy Award.
鈥淭he NSGC is our governing body in the genetic counseling profession,鈥� she said. 鈥淭his award is prestigious as there's only about six that are given out every year.鈥�
Looking back, Alastre Arcusa said she is profoundly grateful for her experiences at the COPH and the support she received. 鈥淚 am still in awe that I was accepted into the program,鈥� she said. 鈥淒r. Deborah Cragun, the director of genetic counseling, is incredible. I still write to her, thanking her for accepting me and to remind her how much it means to me鈥� she said.
Her gratitude extends beyond her mentors to her broader community at USF and Moffitt. 鈥淓very time I reflect on my journey, I鈥檓 reminded how each step, each challenge, led me to where I am today,鈥� Alastre Arcusa said.
Fast Five
What did you dream of becoming when you were young?
I wanted to be a wedding dress fashion designer.
Where would we find you on the weekend?
Probably at the beach.
What is the last book you read?
鈥淧risoner of Tehran鈥� by Marina Nemat
What superpower would you like to have?
I would love to teleport anywhere I want.
What鈥檚 your all-time favorite movie?
鈥淧ride and Prejudice鈥�