Can you tell us about your major and a bit about yourself?

I’m a bioengineering major from the Philly suburbs, about 30 minutes from Penn. I’m hoping to go to medical school one day, which is how I got into teaching organic chemistry workshops.

What are some of your interests outside of academics?

I’m a creative writing minor, so I really like to write in my free time. I’m also really into arts and crafts. I crochet and knit a lot.

Do you participate in research or any summer projects?

Yes. Over the summers, I do full-time research in the Mariko Bennett Lab at CHOP, and I continue that research during the school year as well. It’s something I definitely want to continue in my future career.

What clubs or organizations are you involved in at Penn?

I’m the president of the Asian Pacific American Pre-Med Student Association, which is a social and networking club for Asian American pre-meds. I’m also part of Alzheimer’s Studies, and we visit nursing homes every weekend and talk to patients with Alzheimer’s disease.

What course do you tutor, and what are your main study tips for students?

I’m a workshop leader for Organic Chemistry 2410, the first semester of Orgo. My biggest study tip is to use flashcards. You really need to know all the concepts, mechanisms, and reactions well before you can apply them, so building that strong foundation is essential.

What tutoring advice would you give to new tutors?

Always check in with your students about what they covered in class and how comfortable they feel with the topic. Understanding their comfort level helps build rapport and guides how you run your session. Personal interaction and creating a supportive space are really important.

Do you have general advice for Penn students?

Say yes to a lot of things—even things you wouldn’t expect to do. Many of the things I’m passionate about now are things I never imagined joining before coming to Penn. Meeting new people and trying new opportunities helps more than just focusing on academics.

What are your future career plans?

I’m deciding between an MD and an MD-PhD. I want to treat neurological diseases and am still considering how much research I want to incorporate. I’m especially interested in medical care and research related to Alzheimer’s disease.