In addition to supporting brain tumor research, Carlos' Fund intends to provide scholarships to aspiring young musicians. Carlos was an excellent student who couldn't pass up the opportunity to go to Caltech on a full scholarship. Caltech, known for its rigorous academic studies, focuses only on sciences such as engineering and chemistry. Carlos' true passion was his music, which he began to pursue in high school by taking lessons in guitar. Soon after, he taught himself the banjo as well. Close friends remember that Carlos was drawn to and was very passionate about artists Ben Harper and Bela Fleck and that he taught himself by listening to music rather than reading music. Carlos learned to appreciate all different types of music. He molded his technique listening to Bluegrass legends Flatt and Scruggs and Bill Monroe, classic blues artists John Lee Hooker and Muddy Water and pop music like the Beatles. While in college, Carlos continued to follow his passion and began to record his own music with the help of friends from Caltech. After his brain surgery Carlos decided to transfer to the University of Southern California to pursue his dream of music, but was unable to continue because of regorous chemotherapy treatments.