Majors: Biological Sciences and Chinese
How did you decide on your major?
I decided to pursue a dual degree in Biological Sciences and Chinese due to my interest in STEM and desire to expand my connection to my heritage from a young age. I always found science interesting and hoped to further my education in hopes of contributing back to the field.
What is it about your chosen field (and the department) that appeals to you?
The wide breadth of classes and interesting topics available as a Biological Sciences major is what appealed to me. There is a broad spectrum of life science elective courses you can take to delve into specific topics of interest as well as classes to introduce you to more unfamiliar topics. Additionally, the Biological Sciences major offers many opportunities for its students from research fellowships to study abroad to name a few with supportive faculty championing you along the way.
Do you have favorite class/professor within your major?
I enjoyed all my biology classes, but some of my favorites were General Microbiology Lab with Dr. Walczak and Genetics with Dr. Glodowski. General microbiology lab is the go-to lab class I recommend. It provides the opportunity to learn and independently conduct experiments. Along with Dr. Walczak’s teaching and enthusiasm, we learn to troubleshoot issues and foster a genuine appreciation for microbiology. I am grateful to be able to share my interest in microbiology as a learning assistant. Another class I enjoyed was Genetics. The content is not only engaging but Dr. Glodowski is extremely patient and dedicated to helping students understand topics.
What are your favorite academic experiences outside of your major?
A few of my favorite academic experiences would be my research experience in Dr. Yong Mao’s lab in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology and the Chinese language and culture-focused classes I took. In Dr. Mao’s lab, we focused on studying bovine mesenchymal stem cells and ways to induce them into adipocytes and myocytes for lab-cultivated meat. Dr. Mao and everyone in the Laboratory of Biomaterials has become a second family to me, fostering my growth as an aspiring scientist and individual. My Rutgers family continued to grow through my classes and involvement in my Chinese classes where I met some of my closest friends and had the opportunity to balance out my STEM interests with more humanities.
What are your other Rutgers activities?
Inspired by my experience as a mentee in the Health and Medicine Living Learning Community during my 1st and 2nd years, I became a peer mentor and resident assistant for the LLC during my last two years working to provide a community for incoming students interested in the health sciences. In my senior year, I served as a member of the inaugural Asian Languages and Cultures student ambassador cohort, assisting with outreach efforts and ALC language-related events. I gained clinical experience as a clinical care technician at RWJ University Hospital and was a member of the National Residence Hall Honorary, a leadership-based honorary focused on service and recognition. Additionally, I am grateful to be a member of the Phi Beta Kappa honor society, Alpha Delta Epsilon Health Pre-Professional Honor Society, Phi Sigma Iota—Foreign Language National Honor Society, and the SAS Honors Program.
What are your plans following graduation?
I will be attending the University of Pennsylvania pursuing a Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular Biology this coming fall, which I am excited about and looking forward to!
Anything else you would like to share?
Rutgers is a large university and can initially seem intimidating, but don’t hesitate to explore, meet new people, and reach out when needed! Rutgers is an incredibly welcoming community with professors and students ready to help and provide support. My journey and successes are a testament as I’ve met my closest friends here and learned invaluable skills.