René Castro is a nursing student at the University of Alaska Anchorage. He's lived 10 years in Puerto Rico and another 8 in Georgia before moving to Alaska. After high school, René enlisted in the United States Air Force and was stationed at Elmendorf AFB. While enlisted in the Air Force, René supported the Global War on Terrorism by serving time in the middle east. After his separation from the Air Force, René decided to attend school full time in order to complete his Bachelors in Nursing Science degree. His future plans are uncertain. He either plans on futhering his education with a masters degree, or apply to attend medical school to pursue a medical degree. René currently works for the Alaska Native Medical Center supporting the Nursing Internship Program and the Alaska Native Stroke Registry. With the Serum Run '09, he hopes to see some of the culture of the future people he will be providing care for. Along side Dr. Trimble, Leslie Stephens, and Amy Whisler as part of the Medical Mission, they will provide stroke awareness and prevention information to the different villages on the Serum Run in 2009.