About me
The blueprint of who I am.
My guiding principle.
Work hard, stay authentic, uphold your values and follow your passions. In doing so, wherever you go, success will follow.
My big audacious goal.
It is my big audacious goal to work alongside my sister and co-found a company grounded in our family’s values and fuelled by bold, cross-disciplinary innovation. By translating macroscale oil and gas processing principles into microscale fluidic platforms, organ-on-a-chip models and cutting-edge pharmaceutical purification systems, we aspire to revolutionize the biomedical sector. Together, we aim to bridge two of the world’s largest industries–pharmaceuticals and oil and gas–and pioneer transformative solutions that hold the potential to revolutionize what is possible for human health.
I aspire to pursue a career in the field of biomedical engineering.
Science and everyday life cannot
and should not be separated.
Rosalind Franklin
Biographical Sketch
I am an ambitious, intelligent and personable third-year student at the University of British Columbia, pursuing a Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Sciences. With a strong work ethic and a commitment to positivity, empathy and curiosity, I am truly passionate about learning. Driven to make a meaningful impact on the health and quality of life for those affected by chronic diseases, I aim to gain foundational research experience in the Pharmaceutical Sciences and Biomedical Engineering fields, along with in-depth knowledge about process engineering and the petroleum industry. My ultimate goal is to translate principles from macroscale oil and gas processing technologies into microscale fluidic platforms, organ-on-a-chip models, and advanced pharmaceutical purification systems. Academically, I excel in my studies. Throughout high school, I received multiple awards for my highest course grades, leadership, rigour and effort. Most notably, I received the Governor General's Academic Medal Award in my Grade 12 year. In my studies at UBC, I was recently awarded the Margaret E. Barr Bigelow Memorial Scholarship for outstanding academic performance and also maintain a cumulative GPA of an A average, consistently performing above the course averages. My commitment to achieving academic excellence is reflected in my continually improving grades, my recognition on the Dean’s List and my recent A+ average in a full-time course-load during the winter term. Beyond academics, I possess strong interpersonal and intrapersonal skills developed through captaining 14 sports teams and in my leadership and extracurricular activities. With hobbies ranging from architecture and pottery to sports and fitness, I adapt quickly, always maintain a positive attitude and am eager to grasp new concepts. Additionally, I am an active member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority at UBC. There, I have further developed my leadership, compassion and confidence, while also helping to organize service and philanthrophic efforts. In the past three years, my efforts have helped raise over $25,000 in support of breast cancer research and youth mental health, benefiting the Canadian Cancer Society and Jack.org. My passion for pharmaceutical science and medicine stems from personal experience. Personally diagnosed with neonatal lupus and second-degree heart block, and inspired by my mother’s ongoing battle with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), I have focused my studies on advancing rheumatologic therapies. Growing up in a family of engineers, I also developed a passion for design, problem-solving and translational science. My experience with molecular biology assays and analytical techniques have strengthened my technical foundation and commitment to developing personalized nanomedicine strategies. Currently, my research interests lie in developing personalized nanomedicine strategies to increase selectivity and reduce side effects of current skin-related oral therapies, as well as in creating ex vivo models for yet-to-be cured autoimmune diseases, like Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Statement
Personal identity is something shared by all of humanity, yet it is also what makes each individual truly unique. Our sense of self is shaped by the cultures we come from, the beliefs we hold, the values we adopt, the experiences we encounter and the communities we are a part of. I believe that one's identity is malleable–formed by social and historical constructs and fluidly evolving through our own experiences and values, as well as by our interactions with society and the people around us. It is with this belief in mind I always strive to foster an environment where individuals are treated with respect, fairness, dignity and inclusivity. In recognition of the aforementioned, for such an environment to flourish, it is essential to understand and address the past marginalization and oppression of people and communities. This begins with acknowledging one’s own privilege or lack thereof, as well the systems and factors contributing to it. I recognize that I face barriers as a woman in STEM. My voice is undervalued on occasion, especially when speaking to those who may not know me. I have additionally experienced exclusion from decision-making in group settings where the male voice predominates. At the same time, I also acknowledge the privileges I hold in my life that others may not have the opportunity to share. I am mindful that advantages in aspects of my race, cultural background, gender-orientation and socioeconomic status have not only influenced my educational status and access to resources, but more critically, have historically influenced disparities, barriers and inequity. By reflecting on my own privilege, I understand the responsibility it holds, allowing me to be more intentional in supporting marginalised and oppressed communities. I recognize the importance of challenging systemic inequities and more importantly, I strive to hear and uplift the voices of those who may not be heard. I commit to doing my part in dismantling the biases and barriers that have led to systemic injustice–starting with self-awareness. As such, I will always ensure that I foster an environment rooted in acceptance, equity and respect–one that truly honours inclusion and diversity with every chance I have.
Interview Mock Q&A
Share with me how you create goals.
Q.
A.
To stay aligned with my long-term aspirations in personalized medicine and biomedical engineering, I set clear and achievable short-term goals. I prioritize maintaining a strong GPA by dedicating extensive efforts in each assignment and exam. I also aim to gain in-field research experience, actively seeking opportunities to apply the biological, pharmaceutical and analytical techniques I have learned. Additionally, I set goals to balance my mental health, physical fitness and hobbies, following a healthy body, healthy mind approach to sustain all aspects of my life. By consistently meeting these short-term goals I set, I am building a strong foundation of knowledge, experience and well-being that is necessary to achieving my long-term ambitions.
What do you think your current manager or friend would say is your weakness? Describe your weakness, what are you doing or what do you plan to do to help you with this weakness.
Q.
My friends would describe my biggest weakness as difficulty speaking up, especially when I need to stand up for myself or voice a differing opinion. As a result, I sometimes withhold my perspectives and feel taken advantage of. I have recognized this and am actively working to improve–not to oppose others, but rather, to foster more meaningful and collaborative conversations. I focus on firstly improving my listening skills to better understand and acknowledge the perspectives of others. From there, I work on sharing my own viewpoints with clear and structured rationale behind them–ensuring that they are both understood and respectful of those shared by others. By engaging in group settings more often, I practice both listening and articulating my ideas. Ultimately, I believe this has contributed to increasingly productive discussions, leading to more diverse and robust outcomes.
A.