DLS Student Ambassadors
- Amanda Pan
- Graduation Year: 2027
- Major: Biological Sciences
- Hometown: Basking Ridge, NJ
- Career Interest: I’m interested in pursuing a career in surgery, with a particular focus in either Orthopedics or Ophthalmology.
- Fun Fact: I am passionate about fitness and nutrition, and I love staying active through running, lifting, and playing sports. Whether it’s golfing on the weekends, shooting around with my field hockey stick in my free time, or snowboarding in the winter, staying active is a big part of my lifestyle. Outside of that, I love traveling and exploring new places all around the world. Experiencing different cultures and ways of life continually broadens my perspective and helps keep me curious and open-minded!
- What was your favorite class and why?:
Genetics with Dr. Soliman has definitely been one of the best classes I’ve taken so far. The material was super interesting, and I loved how in-depth we went with each topic. What truly set the class apart, however, was its collaborative format. Rather than passively listening to lectures, we worked in small problem-solving groups each session, which made the learning process much more engaging and hands-on. It not only challenged me to think more critically and apply concepts in real time but also created a supportive environment where I could connect with my classmates on a deeper level. The people I met in that class are still some of my closest friends!
- What other Rutgers activities and extracurricular activities do you participate in?:
At Rutgers, I conduct research in the Kwan Laboratory, investigating the mechanisms of hearing loss and exploring potential therapeutic strategies to protect or restore auditory function. I also work as an Organic Chemistry Teaching Intern, where I design and lead problem-solving sessions to help students navigate challenging concepts and develop stronger critical thinking skills. In addition, I mentor younger pre-health students as an Alpha Delta Epsilon (AED) Peer Mentor, offering guidance as they plan their academic and professional paths. Aside from that, I work as a Medical Assistant in an Ophthalmology practice, assisting with both patient care and clinical operations.
- Madison Oh
- Graduation Year: 2026
- Major: Biological Sciences
- Minor(s): Psychology and Criminology
- Hometown: Fort Lee, NJ
- Career Interest: MD, forensic pathology
- Fun Fact: I like to draw and watch anime in my free time. Completely unrelated but I also have scoliosis.
- What was your favorite class and why?:
Systems physiology (146:356) and human anatomy lab (377:224) because the information was easy to apply to daily life, unlike previous classes that focus on the cellular/molecular level. I remember learning about different muscle movements and then putting the knowledge to use at the gym, which benefited me both physically and academically. Working with the cadavers was also really fascinating!
- What other Rutgers activities and extracurricular activities do you participate in?:
I'm one of the PR chairs for the American Medical Student Association (AMSA), as well as the Vice President for Healthy Kids of New Brunswick (HKNB), which is a volunteer based organization that focuses on educating kids about making healthy lifestyle choices. I am an undergraduate researcher in the Lyu Lab, a Clinical Care Tech at RWJ, and a regular volunteer plus ambassador at the Rutgers Basic Needs Center.
- Alicia Morales
- Graduation Year: 2027
- Major: Biological Sciences
- Hometown: Denville, NJ
- Career Interest: Pharmacology
- Fun Fact: I love to paint, and I have a chalk wall in my room filled with my own drawings. My favorite animal is the shark. In my free time I enjoy reading and spending time with my friends/family.
- What was your favorite class and why?:
Organic Chemistry II was my favorite class because I enjoyed studying the mechanisms and reaction pathways, which felt like solving puzzles. I loved the way the course combined creativity and logic.
- What other Rutgers activities and extracurricular activities do you participate in?:
I serve as a Learning Assistant for Extended General Chemistry I and II, as well as Organic Chemistry I during the summer. I volunteer with Interfaith Pantry to help combat food insecurity in my community, and I also volunteer with Vitalant Blood Donation Services. Additionally, I am a research assistant in Dr. Simon’s Plant Biology Lab.
- Kate Latino
- Graduation Year: 2026
- Major: Genetics
- Minor(s): Psychology
- Hometown: Chatham, NJ
- Career Interest: Genetic Counseling
- Fun Fact: like to paint and knit. I learned how to knit berets and made a mini one for my cat Claws!
- What was your favorite class and why?:
My favorite class is health psychology. It evaluates how stress and other psychological factors affect people's well-being and approach to taking care of themselves. I think it is a helpful class for anyone who wants to work in a healthcare related field because of its insight into people's relationships with medical professionals and vice versa. I loved this class because I found the topics to be really interesting and it impacted my own habits and choices regarding health.
- What other Rutgers activities and extracurricular activities do you participate in?:
I am currently the treasurer of the Genetic Counseling Interest Club. I’m also an intern at a lab studying a rare genetic disorder. Outside of Rutgers, I am a paraprofessional and I've recently started volunteering at the Crisis Text Line.
- Mikayla Kim
- Graduation Year: 2027
- Major: Genetics
- Minor(s): Comparative and Critical Race and Ethnic Studies and Spanish
- Hometown: Glen Rock, NJ
- Career Interest: Physician, currently interested in going into either pediatric oncology or pediatric emergency medicine.
- Fun Fact: I like to snowboard in the winter - I’ve been doing it since I was 8! I also enjoy listening to music, going to concerts, and exploring new cafes, and I recently started getting into rock climbing.
- What was your favorite class and why?:
My favorite class that I’ve taken is Introduction to Research in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, which I took in the fall semester of my freshman year. Combining both lectures and hands-on labs, this class gave me valuable insight into the fields of molecular biology and biochemistry, and helped me to develop foundational research skills. It was really interesting to not only learn about common research techniques and the principles behind these techniques, but also apply them to my own project. This course solidified my interest in research and provided me the tools to succeed in various research settings.
- What other Rutgers activities and extracurricular activities do you participate in?:
At Rutgers, I’m currently a research assistant for Dr. Tina Liu’s lab and the co-president of NORU, Rutgers’ kpop club. I am also an Honors College Ambassador, the Honors College Asian Affinity Group lead, and an Honors College Peer Mentor. Outside of Rutgers, I am the mentorship chair for Project Meducate, a NJ-based nonprofit that aims to tackle healthcare disparities, and a volunteer EMT with my hometown’s EMS squad.