After graduating from Georgia Tech, I began work as an ORISE Research Fellow at the Food and Drug Administration in Washington, D.C.. I worked in the Lab of Immunobiochemistry in the FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research where I spent a year researching the unique aspects of Type I interferons and contributed to the paper "S27 of IFNα1 Contributes to Its Low Affinity for IFNAR2 and Weak Antiviral Activity." After completing this one year research fellowship, I am now pursuing an MD/PhD at Emory University as I aspire to be a research physician where I can combine my passion for both research and patient care.
My time at Georgia Tech has been instrumental in preparing me for my future career as a research physician through providing me with a solid foundation of knowledge via the coursework and research opportunities and also via the mentorship and advice I received throughout my time at Georgia Tech. I attribute much of my success in my research at the FDA and in getting accepted into Emory's MD/PhD program with my Georgia Tech experience and found that the biology curriculum provided me with the knowledge, technical skills, and life experiences to help me succeed after college. In particular, the biology lab classes where I was able to design my own experiments, learn to write protocols, and experience what it is like working in a lab helped inspire me to pursue the career path of a research physician. Additionally, the advice I have received from faculty and the genuine care that professors in the biology program have for their students was instrumental in helping me to decide what career path I wanted to pursue and in introducing me to resources and opportunities at Georgia Tech. I was able to conduct research in both a psychology lab and as a Petit Undergraduate Research Scholar in a developmental biology lab - experiences which fostered within me a true passion for biological research. Through direct mentoring by Dr. Shuyi Nie, I was able to understand the continuum of research from initial stages, to data collection, to developing my final paper and was well prepared for my research fellowship at the FDA. The opportunities for students do not end at research, though, and I was also able to gain leadership experience and skills through my roles in the Biology Honor Society (TriBeta), the Stamps Health Ambassadors organization, and as a Resident Assistant and Orientation Leader. Through these experiences, I was able to create a community at Georgia Tech and built friendships and memories that I still cherish. Overall, my experience as a Biology student at Georgia Tech has been immensely positive, and with the support and advice of the faculty, I have been able to pursue more than I even dreamed was possible.
Take advantage of the opportunities to get involved with the communities in and around Georgia Tech. Before I started college, I had never conducted research nor saw it as a part of my future career, but it was the experiences that I had as an undergrad that have led me to where I am now and inspired me to continue pursuing research. That is why it is important to reflect upon what your goals are and to explore the myriad of career paths that are out there. Additionally, I would recommend seeking out advice and mentorship while at Georgia Tech because the GT community is full of some truly incredible and inspiring people. What made my Georgia Tech experience a truly positive one was having that support network of friends and mentors behind me during both the challenging and exciting times of college.
Also, don't be afraid to ask for help if you ever need it. There are so many people and resources that are specifically there to help you as a student. For me, physics was particularly challenging, so I found myself utilizing the free tutoring resources and going to office hours to get extra help and advice, and taking these steps helped me do well in a class that I initially found very difficult. Also, time management can be an important skill to learn as well, and while I do recommend engaging in organizations and opportunities at Georgia Tech, it is also important to find a work-life balance. In my first year of college, I joined many organizations to find out what I enjoyed, but after my first year, I stayed in the clubs that I was passionate about and was able to dedicate more time to them and got involved in leadership as well.
And consider study abroad if you are able to do it. I went on the Georgia Tech Pacific Program where I was able to study abroad in New Zealand, Australia, and Fiji, and that semester of college was such an incredible adventure and learning experience. I made some incredible friends, was able to take biology courses, and made phenomenal memories like scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef.
Additionally, there are many minors and other degree enhancements that work well with the biology degree such as the Health and Medical Sciences minor and the Research Option Program, so take time to research those opportunities as well if there are other subjects that interest you.
