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鈥�22 was excited, but also nervous, after being accepted to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Florida A&M University.

鈥淎cademically, the program is a lot harder than anything I鈥檝e ever done,鈥� says Avelino, who earned a B.S. in exercise science from the Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences.

But Avelino鈥檚 nerves began melting away as his first semester got underway in Tallahassee, Florida.

鈥淚 have to give 51视频 and my professors the credit they deserve: I鈥檓 a lot more prepared for the program than I thought I was,鈥� Avelino says. 鈥淲hen we cover something in class, I鈥檒l think, 鈥極oh, my professor taught me this at UML.鈥欌��

Avelino excelled academically (making the dean鈥檚 list four times) and athletically at UML, where he was a sprinter and jumper on the Division 1 men鈥檚 track and field team.

He was also actively involved in the Lowell community and was chosen by the Athletics Department as UML鈥檚 2022 America East Man of the Year nominee.

鈥淚 was very honored and humbled to be considered for the award,鈥� says Avelino, who was born in the Dominican Republic and raised by his mother, Yoselin Martinez, in Lynn, Massachusetts, while his father, Reggie Avelino, served overseas in the U.S. military for two decades.

鈥淲e didn鈥檛 have much back home in Lynn, but my mom worked very hard. She was very inspirational,鈥� says Avelino, a graduate of Lynn English High School who vowed from an early age to 鈥済ive back and help as many people as I can.鈥�

鈥淚 was lucky to have the ability to run fast and jump high, which gave me a platform to give back,鈥� he says. 鈥淗aving that privilege is something I can never take for granted.鈥�

In addition to his involvement with pen pal and programs, Avelino co-founded UML鈥檚 Student-Athletes of Color Affinity Group () with former women鈥檚 lacrosse player 鈥�21.

鈥淭he experiences and stresses are different for students of color, so having a support system, somewhere we can be ourselves and get to know each other, is important,鈥� Avelino says. 鈥淚鈥檓 so happy with what the group has become, and I can鈥檛 wait to see what else comes of it.鈥�

While Avelino鈥檚 track career was beset by injuries 鈥� a torn quad his freshman year and a broken ankle his senior year 鈥� he still managed to finish eighth in the decathlon at the 2022 America East Outdoor Championships.

He now looks forward to helping others overcome injuries as a physical therapist.

鈥淚鈥檝e always been passionate about the human body and knew I wanted to work in health care,鈥� says Avelino, who chose the physical therapy route after working as a clinical aide while in college. 鈥淵ou build a stronger relationship with clients and patients as a physical therapist than you do in a doctor鈥檚 office. I wanted something a little more personal.鈥�

As he advances through the three-year doctoral program at Florida A&M, Avelino continues to make his parents proud.

鈥淓verywhere my dad goes,鈥� Avelino says, 鈥渉e tells people, 鈥楳y son鈥檚 going to be a doctor. My son鈥檚 going to be a doctor.鈥欌��