2023 Tillman Scholar

Giovanna Camacho

Army
University of Virginia
Ph.D., Systems Engineering

“Know your brand and focus on right here and right now. It’s okay to get hit in life, you just have to keep moving forward, because the time is now.”

Through volunteer service and family members’ contributions in service, Giovanna quickly realized at a young age she wanted to join the Army as part of her quest to dedicate her life to the welfare of others. She graduated from the United States Military Academy in 2013, and found herself assigned as the first female organic to an infantry unit where she led medical operations. This experience set the foundation for her to learn the importance of proper allocation of resources, provide consistent medical training to enhance medical operations, and work successfully in kinetic austere environments. 

Giovanna continued her service as a medical officer learning how best to support the medical mission at different levels of care. Throughout this process she also competed in the 2016 Olympic Trials as a boxer, showcasing the tenacity of Army soldier athletes. Her service in the military taught her how to be innovative and work with limited resources in execution of her tasks within medical administration, operations, executive leadership, logistics, and creation of publications to enhance awareness of soldiers’ contributions to the mission. 

Giovanna graduated with a master’s degree in human factors and behavioral neurobiology from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. She recently began pursuing her doctorate program in systems engineering at the University of Virginia. She wants to utilize her skillset to help facilitate the enhancement of equipment and processes that will not only enhance human capabilities but also help avoid preventative injuries in the future.