Could you tell us a little bit about your educational background?

At UCLA, I majored in Human Biology and Society and completed a minor in Accounting. With an interdisciplinary major, I took a wide variety of courses that included reproductive law, genetics, bioethics, biochemistry, and epidemiology.

What first got you interested in the healthcare field as a career choice? There are a lot of career options in the field -nursing, physician assistant, etc., what made you decide that genetic counseling was the right practice area/career choice for you?

Throughout college, I developed a passion for and confidence in learning science. My volunteer and teaching experiences helped me realize my desire to educate and serve individuals and their families. I am interested in the healthcare field because I can continue being a scientist, but I will use my knowledge to interact with and help others every day. Genetic counseling appeals to me because of the patient-provider relationship. From what I have seen, it feels like a genuine dialogue focused on preventative health, informed decision-making, and the medical and emotional needs of the patient as well as their family.

What type of obstacles have you had to overcome on the road to getting your education and in particular in pursuing your Genetic Counseling degree?

Genetic counseling is a relatively new profession that is not widely understood by the general public. I was raised in a very traditional immigrant household and community that values well-established paths. One challenge throughout college and especially in pursuing this field has been overcoming the stereotyped expectations of who an Asian American woman should be and in what careers she can be successful.

Once you decided to pursue a Genetic Counseling degree, how did you know that KGI was the right school for you?

After spending four years in Southern California, I have come to love the area for its diversity in people and opportunities, and am so grateful to be staying here. I am very excited to begin rotations because with KGI, I can serve populations in different settings throughout Southern California.

What are you most looking forward to about beginning your Genetic Counseling studies at KGI?

I am eager to learn more about the psychosocial aspects to genetic counseling!

What is one fun and interesting fact about you?

I have played the clarinet for about a decade.