The conclusion of my sophomore year represented a revival of my cultural identity and stepping into the world of undergraduate research. As student life began to re-emerge, I attended more in-person student events and had the opportunity to participate in a Service Learning Trip with MEDLIFE in Lima, Peru. My second year was an incredible moment for career growth and and exploration into my identity, leaving me excited to continue into my junior year and the summer when I will be conducting research!
Cultural Enrichment with CASA
Seizing the opportunity to apply to officership, I was excited to be accepted as the Chinese American Student Association's (CASA) Director of Multimedia: Publicity. My love for publicity and marketing stemmed from my passion for growing the membership of CASA and expanding our events to diverse audiences. Through this officer role, I assisted in programming events including General Body Meetings (GBMs), cultural shows, and service and philanthropy events. I found myself becoming more connected with my culture and making many friends - two opportunities I did not have previously due to online classes. Even though I was not familiar with the twenty-two other CASA officers, I was quickly welcomed in and accepted despite my identity as a Chinese adoptee. The members and officers of CASA taught me about my heritage, ranging from cultural traditions and food to trends and pop culture in China. CASA's motto is "Do it for the Jia!", with "Jia / 家“ meaning "family". I strongly connected to this motto and truly felt that I found my "Jia" at the University of Florida.
My love for CASA eventually convinced me to dance for the spring Chinese New Year cultural show in traditional Chinese dragon dance. In high school I participated in colorguard, so I was excited to continue my passion for performing in college. While dragon dance tested my physical endurance every week through strenuous practices and a necessity for solid core strength, I enjoyed every second and made life-long friends. We enjoyed practices through laughs, determination, and barbecue cooked on a portable grill, with our hard work accumulating to the cultural show performance. While the performance took an unexpected turn through one of the poles breaking, we handled the setback with grace. Looking back at that experience, I regard it as one of my fondest college memories and can't wait to perform next year.
Watch my traditional dragon dance performance with JiaTing Lion & Dragon Troupe here (0:00-4:23).
At the end of the spring semester, every organization within the Asian American Student Union holds public elections for their executive board. I decided to take a leap of faith and run for the Vice President of Internal Affairs (VPIA), right-hand to the President, in charge of overseeing the CASANova freshmen program, and planning Semi-Formal and Formal. After over six long hours of elections, I was officiated as the VPIA and voted in. I look forward to returning to CASA next year on the executive board.
Finding Sisterhood in aKDPhi
Having explored the plethora of student involvement options at the University of Florida, I still felt myself wanting more. This persuaded me to join the Alpha Delta Chapter of alpha Kappa Delta Phi (aKDPhi) International Sorority, Inc. at the University of Florida. aKDPhi is an Asian-interest, but not Asian-exclusive, sorority that centers itself on the pillars of Scholarship, Sisterhood, Service, Leadership, and Asian Awareness.
Throughout the recruitment process, we participated in various bonding activities and presentations. It was during these moments that I realized aKDPhi was more than just a group of friends; it was a supportive and empowering network of individuals who uplifted each other. Surrounding me were leaders in all dimensions: people who strived to make an impact on their community and had ambitious career aspirations. I saw how the sisters encouraged one another to strive for excellence, both academically and personally, and how they used their collective strength to promote cultural awareness and make a difference. I wanted just the same for myself.
Deciding to join aKDPhi felt like finding that missing piece of the puzzle in the college experience. Every moment was filled with laughter, support, and a sense of unity. My Big Sister became my mentor, guiding me through this new journey and offering encouragement as I navigated my way through college life. Joining aKDPhi was one of the best decisions I made in college. Not only did I gain lifelong friendships and unforgettable memories, but I also found a sense of purpose and empowerment within myself. This sisterhood taught me the importance of embracing my heritage and being proud of who I am, with authenticity being one of my strongest values today.
Research in the College of Medicine
Ending last semester with my research project on COVID-19 and financial literacy, I decided to branch out my research experience into the field of medicine. Connecting with Dr. David Ostrov in the University of Florida Cancer & Genetics Research Complex allowed me to learn computational skills in analyzing molecules. I learned how to operate the software PyMOL, which allows the user to visualize molecules for their binding affinity, measure bond lengths, and predict ligand-receptor compatibility.
Along with graduate students, I investigated the protein GP120 and its binding to Simian Immunodeficiency Virus (SIV), which may predict GP120's interaction with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). GP120 is an essential protein for facilitating HIV entry into a host cell by binding to CD4 receptors (Raja et al., 2003). However, it's unknown how mutations in HIV affect this binding, since it's predicted that HIV adapts over time to replicate in the brain (Smit et al., 2004). Our research team wanted to observe an SIV infected model and see if it has the same viral signatures or adaptations as HIV, and if the models are not exactly identical, what differences exist and do they still translate? We mapped the mutations in SIV using the structure of HIV as a basis, and compared these new SIV structures to their location on HIV.
Researching within the UF College of Medicine was exciting and demonstrated how research can be translated clinically. I enjoyed the connection between this project and my passion for sexual health and education. HIV is a significant global health issue and a condition that impacts vulnerable populations disproportionately. Engaging in the beginning steps of translational research was exciting and I cannot wait for what's to come next.
In May, I was referenced to the Zhe Ma Lab following my interest in conducting cancer virology research and gaining wet lab skills. Starting in the summer, I will be an undergraduate researcher in the Ma Lab studying Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) under the mentorship of Tiffany Nelson. Read more about my summer research experience here!
Leadership Opportunities
This year, I was grateful to serve within multiple leadership roles, some of which are listed below:
In Between – National Vice President
Community Health Service Corps (CHSC) Secretary
Student Honors Organization – External Communications
Medicine, Education, and Development for Low-Income Families Everywhere (MEDLIFE) Workshops Director
Undergraduate Public Health Association (UPHA) Public Relations Director
Undergraduate Medical Women’s Association – Co-Conference Chair
These roles taught me the importance of open communication, delegating tasks, and balancing professional and personal life. One of my favorite roles was being the Workshops Director of MEDLIFE where I planned two workshops a month for over one hundred members. Along with my co-officer, we identified guest speakers who were faculty at the University of Florida or community leaders in Alachua County, and invited them to present at our events. This process required organization, diligence, and creativity in selecting important topics within medicine that would attract attendees. Some of the workshops topics I planned focused on medical racism, pre-health opportunities during COVID-19, health disparities, and medical Spanish. These events were both an educational opportunity for myself and the attendees, some of which I presented at myself. View my workshop I created and hosted on Medical Racism here!
Engaging in Medical Volunteering
Throughout the year, I had the privilege of contributing my time and skills in various medicine settings, providing valuable support and care to diverse patient populations. These opportunities deepened my understanding of the field and the different careers I can embark on. My medical volunteering during my sophomore year included the maternity unit at HCA Florida North Florida Hospital, the hospital pharmacy at UF Health Shands Hospital, and a Service Learning Trip with MEDLIFE in Lima, Peru. Through these experiences, I gained a comprehensive understanding of healthcare delivery and developed a strong sense of empathy and compassion for those in need. Volunteering throughout the year strengthened my commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of others through healthcare service and support. This summer, I will continue my passion for serving vulnerable populations facing health disparities through an internship with the Equal Access Clinic Network run by the University of Florida College of Medicine. Read more about the program here.
Concluding my Second Year
My sophomore year was a whirlwind of change and opportunities in the best way possible. I found myself closer than ever to my identity and culture, as well as taking on new perspectives of medicine and research. I also built my own community and success through seizing opportunities and developing as a student leader. Just recently, I was accepted to the Public Health major within the College of Public Health and Health Professions, allowing me to take another step closer to my goal of obtaining a Master's in Public Health. This summer, I will be conducting undergraduate research in the Zhe Ma Lab, interning with the Equal Access Clinic Network, and beginning my coursework within the Public Health major.
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