Christian Gust

Christian is a Senior University Scholar from Scottsdale, Arizona, concentrating in Biology, Medical Humanities, Spanish, and Aerospace Studies. During his first year at Baylor, he lived in University House with the Honors Residential College (HRC) and plans to commission into the U.S. Air Force and attend medical school at USUHS after graduation. On campus, Christian is involved in Air Force ROTC, Medicine in Uniform, Pre-Health Mentors, Baylor Engaged Fellows, the Medical Service Organization, and serves as a Human Physiology Lab LA, in addition to having served as a Community Leader during the 2024–25 school year.

His favorite reading list book was Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky. His thesis centers around human health risk assessment and toxicology research in the Department of Environmental Science, where he is working to investigate the implications of chemicals commonly exposed to U.S. Air Force Airmen and how to combat their toxic effects on the human lung epithelium, alongside faculty mentor Dr. Erica Bruce.

Beyond his coursework, Christian has engaged in impactful extracurricular experiences. He volunteered at Mission Waco's Health Clinic, caring for the homeless and individuals living at or below the poverty line by helping treat minor emergencies, mental illness, dental problems, and finding long-term solutions. He also served on a two-week medical mission trip to the Philippines, gaining exposure to healthcare in a setting vastly different from the U.S., shadowing medical practices across various specialties, and giving back to underserved communities.

Christian also participated in a Wintermester study abroad program to complete the University Scholars requirement for GTX 2302, traveling to over seven cities to witness firsthand the historical landmarks and pieces of history mentioned in works like Dante’s Divine Comedy.

Reflecting on his journey, Christian shares this advice with new students: “Get involved in a variety of areas you are passionate about early and stick with them, as being well rounded will lead to success both in college and beyond. Baylor has a multitude of opportunities to take advantage of, so pick a few things to invest your time in. Diverse extracurricular involvement makes college a little more fun, too!”