Undergraduate Profile

Major: Microbiology

Minor: Data Sciences

Projected graduation: Spring 2026

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

UW provides a very welcoming and inclusive environment. Here I can not only find my community but also befriend students from all around the world. UW also has accessible and abundant research resources, where every individual who is enthusiastic about lab research can participate in cutting-edge research even as an undergraduate student. Moreover, I love the city UW is in! I love Seattle because it is such a beautiful city with beautiful people that always makes you feel at home.

What led you to study in your program(s)?

I entered college with a strong interest in gut-brain axis in 2022. I learned a lot about neuroscience, especially neurological disorders when I was in high school. Thus, I wanted to start something new in college. I heard that the microbiology department here at UW is a very warm community where students basically know each other and have a tight connection with the faculty. I wanted to know more about gut-brain axis from a microbiologist’s perspective, so I decided to study microbiology. And it turns out that I might like microbiology a little bit more than neuroscience!

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

I would say the research experience (with Melissa Barker-Haliski) I had as an undergraduate student, because during this process, I was able to find what I truly want to do in the future and what my life goal is. I also met amazing people during this process, who helped me get into the world of research and encouraged me to think out of the box and explore more. I got to attend symposiums both as presenters and audience and share my thoughts with other individuals who are also as passionate as me. I truly enjoyed the research experience here.

What do you want to do following your UW education?

I’m currently applying for graduate school. The experience I had in UW makes me more determined in conducting translational science research in the future, and I believe receiving graduate education will make me more knowledgeable in the field I’m working in.

What are your future aspirations or goals?

I want to devote my life to helping overcome the health challenges we have and will have in the future, and do as much as I can to help every human being in this world to no longer suffer from disease and pain.

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

Be open to any opportunity but at the same time don’t forget what motivates you to choose your path. The School of Pharmacy as well as other schools at UW provide a lot of opportunities to explore your interests, which I think is really helpful if you are still uncertain about what to do in the future. When there are challenges in school or life it can help to think about the reasons why you are here and who you want to be.

What is a fun or interesting fact about you?

I can recite the whole periodic table in Chinese, and I gained this skill during middle school because at that time I wasn’t very interested in Chinese class so I either read detective novels like Keigo Higashino or just spent time reciting the periodic table at the back of my dictionary.