Why did you choose LSM?
Brimming with biodiversity, my room was a zoo. Starting in elementary school, I cared for over forty exotic pets ranging from fish to reptiles. Following my aunt’s sudden passing from ovarian cancer in high school, my curiosity for biology pivoted from the animal kingdom to the human realm of medicine. However, I realized that the groundbreaking research from the laboratory can never have a life-saving legacy without the implications of business. Seeking to make an impact, I chose LSM to merge my passions for science and entrepreneurship and prepare myself to create a startup one-day redefining boundaries in biotech.
What do you find most rewarding or enjoyable about the LSM program?
Elaborating upon the amazing people in the community, LSM has provided me with an extensive network of mentors and inspiring models. From reconnecting with alumni to chatting with peers, I have witnessed first-hand the generous and talented community LSM has fostered. Coming to college, it has been comforting to know I have a family to fall back on with my personal and professional problems. The friendships I have made within the program are ones that would last five, ten, fifty years after graduating... I am sure of it!
What main extracurricular activities do you do at Penn?
Currently, I am an oncology researcher in the Andrei Thomas-Tikhonenko Laboratory at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. My research focuses on non-coding RNAs and mRNA splicing in cancer pathogenesis and therapeutic resistance (targeting CD19 and CD20). I am also involved in Penn’s startup ecosystem through Snider Consulting via Venture Lab and Incubator via Wharton Undergraduate Healthcare Club. Some of the other clubs I lead include Marketing Undergraduate Student Establishment, Penn Undergraduate Biotech Society, International Affairs Association, and Penn Symphony Orchestra.
Do you have plans for after graduation (tentative or otherwise)?
Tentatively, my plans after graduation are either graduate studies or consulting/finance. I am interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in cancer biology and hope to explore entrepreneurship in the biopharma space. I am also considering life sciences consulting/investing as alternative possibilities.