​​After battling through two cancer surgeries, his parents’ divorce and transferring high schools, Justin D'Agostino's future did not look bright. Overcoming these obstacles strengthened his determination to succeed in academics. He graduated on the dean's list from San Francisco State University with a degree in biology and he is a second year anthropology graduate student at California State University, Los Angeles with a 4.0 GPA.

Justin conducted international research in Indonesia and studies at the Gibbon Conservation Center. He won an outstanding oral presentation award in behavioral and social sciences at the 22nd Annual Student Symposium on Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity. He presented his research during the systemwide competition at California State University, East Bay. Justin's efforts have been recognized with a Golden Eagle Award of Excellence and a Graduate Equity Fellowship. Justin plans to pursue a Ph.D. and return to the CSU as a professor.