Year in Review | Sophomore Year

Wow! Time has gone by so fast, and I’m almost at the end of my second year at OSU. I have learned so much, and I’m very grateful for all the people who have helped me along this journey! Here are my reflections on Global Awareness, Original Inquiry, Academic Enrichment, Leadership Development, and Service Engagement.

Global Awareness

Last year, I volunteered at the Physician’s Free Clinic in downtown Columbus with Alpha Epsilon Delta. One of the things I learned when I volunteered there was the need for interpreters, especially in Spanish, because many of the people did not speak English fluently. This experience began to highlight to me the importance of language in medicine. This understanding was furthered when I took MedColl 2000.21, where I learned about the core competencies that medical students and physicians are expected to have, which included cultural awareness. This interest in utilizing language and gaining cultural competency skills for medicine motivated me to take Korean 1101.51 and apply for study abroad programs in Asia. This summer, I will be studying at the National Cheng Kung University in Tainan, Taiwan with the TUSA Global Ambassador Scholarship Program. I’m very excited to travel to Taiwan to further my understanding of Mandarin and learn more about the culture as a Taiwanese American. Beyond academics, I am currently a part of J2K, an Asian pop dance organization. Our organization is focused on connecting students, who share an interest in Asian pop culture and dance, through dance performances, workshops, competitions, and dance shows. My involvement in J2K has helped me develop my global awareness through meeting many people from different backgrounds and having fun dancing to Asian pop music.

Original Inquiry

During the second semester of my general chemistry course last year, the main focus of our lab component was to research the role of perovskites in solar cells. The first half of the semester included an introduction of what they are and how they are used to conduct electricity in solar cells. The second half of the semester challenged us to find a perovskite that could also conduct electricity and be more environmentally friendly. This experience gave me an introduction to what research was like, which I really enjoyed. I like the process of conducting experiments and determining whether my findings corresponded to my initial hypothesis. Currently, I am a student research assistant in Dr. Daniel Wozniak’s lab, where I am studying the effects of bacteriophages (viruses that target bacteria) on bacterial infections. I have always been fascinated by the nature of viruses and bacteria, and how despite being invisible to the naked eye, they have greatly affected society. Research has shown me how an idea transforms to a reality, providing patients more effective treatment options.

Academic Enrichment

At this point of my academic career, I plan on going straight to medical school after graduating. I have followed my passion for science and medicine through pursuing a biochemistry major and business minor. I chose to pursue biochemistry because I am fascinated in how biology and chemistry connect and how they are the backbone for life. I am pursuing a minor in business because I am interested in learning about how business works and how the principles of business are applied to hospitals. During my pursuit for medicine, I have taken the introduction to medicine course and am currently taking the undergraduate shadowing course through the College of Medicine. This experience has helped me gain a better understanding on the pathway to becoming a physician and an insight to life as a doctor. The introduction to medicine course has challenged me to think of my reasons for becoming a physician and how I can show medical schools that I am a worthy candidate. The undergraduate shadowing class has challenged me to consider tough topics related to medicine, such as burnout and various ethical issues. These two courses have better prepared me to apply for medical school and pursue my goal to becoming a physician. Furthermore, I am currently taking a History of HIV, which investigates how the HIV epidemic began and how it has affected different countries. This course has enlightened me on not only the logistical and scientific aspect of the HIV epidemic, but also the effects that it has had on different populations around the world. The courses that I have taken have challenged me to consider different perspectives and has ultimately helped me become a stronger candidate for medical school.

Leadership Development

As I began my journey as a Buckeye, I became involved in many student organizations on campus. Currently, I am the secretary of Best Food Forward, which is a bulk buying food club aimed at providing affordable produce to college students as well as promote awareness for food insecurity. I am a member of the Event Board for J2K, which is an East Asian dance organization that hosts dance workshops and dance shows, as well as performing dance covers of popular East Asian pop songs. I play the flute in Collegiate Winds, which is an audition-based band from The Ohio State University School of Music. Lastly, I am a part of Alpha Epsilon Delta, a national pre-professional honor society, as well as Helix Tri-Beta, which is an honor and professional society for students in the College of Biological Sciences. My involvement in many student organizations on campus have ultimately shaped my development as a leader through strengthening my communication, time management, and problem-solving skills, which will ultimately help me as I pursue medicine.

Service Engagement

Currently, I volunteer at the OSU Wexner Medical Center, helping visitors find their way as well as working in patient care units. I have also worked as a poll worker for the Franklin Board of Elections, where I have obtained many leadership roles. Additionally, I was an intern in the TOPS program, where I assisted students with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the academic and social setting. I have also participated in service through going on Buck-I-Serv trips to Detroit and Chicago. Lastly, I am a part of Best Food Forward, which is a student organization aimed at providing affordable produce to college students and the community. These experiences have helped me gain a better understanding of what I can do to help the community around me. One of my goals to continue to engage with the community is to further my knowledge of Chinese and become an interpreter for a hospital or free clinic. Hospitals are a daunting place especially for people who are not fluent in English or did not grow in the United States. I hope to use my knowledge of Chinese to eliminate the language barrier between patients and their physicians.