Major: B.S. Biochemistry

Projected graduation: Spring 2027

 

 

 

Tell us why you chose the University of Washington (UW)

I chose UW because it is close to home and offered good financial aid along with in-state tuition which means I can focus on my studies without financial stress. Plus, the campus views are hard to beat!

 

What led you to study your major?

Growing up in Vietnam, I saw firsthand how vital accessible medicine is to everyday life, often serving as the primary form of care over costly doctor visits. This sparked my fascination with pharmacology and how the human body processes xenobiotics. Majoring in biochemistry gives me the foundation to explore these exact mechanisms and make a meaningful impact in medicine.

 

What experiences at the UW have been the most influential to you?

During the summer of 2026, I was a Nelson-Mendenhall Scholar, working closely under Ryan Nguyen, a graduate student in Dr. Libin Xu’s lab. The experience gave me a glimpse into the life of a graduate student and showed me that research isn’t as scary as I once thought. I’m still a bit intimidated, but far less than I used to be. Another lucky outcome of the program was realizing how much I actually enjoy the lab environment, and I was welcomed to stay on for the upcoming school year—showing how a summer internship can turn into a secure lab placement for the academic year.

What do you want to do following graduation?

I plan to enter the workforce first, with the goal of attending graduate school in the near future.

 

What are your future aspirations or goals?

I want to work in research to help design new medications or optimize existing ones to minimize side effects as much as possible.

What is one piece of advice that you have for potential new students or one thing you wish you knew before beginning your studies?

Fear, self-doubt, and stressing over the small things are completely normal when starting something new. During my first few weeks on a new path, I often think about quitting because I feel like I’m just not built for it. But I keep pushing through because I know everyone starts somewhere, and no one knows everything right away. You will make mistakes along the way, but if you learn from them and keep going, you will master it in time. Don’t be afraid of your inexperience. One day, you may see someone else making those same mistakes and be able to guide them through it. That’s what the scientific community is all about. Every rule, discovery, and insight we have today came from people learning through experience, making mistakes, and continuing to grow.

What is a fun or interesting fact about you?

I’m so obsessed with boba that my part time job is at a boba shop! On another fun note, adding my parents’ birth dates together equals my own birthday.