June 26, 2020
Class of 2020: Curiosity sparks discovery for Faculty of Science grad
Angie Hu鈥檚 love of science research started at the 草莓污视频导航 before she even enrolled.
Hu, who graduates this month with a Bachelor of Science degree, made the most of her undergraduate years by taking every opportunity to participate in research, study abroad, and becoming聽an advocate for students.
- Photo聽above: Angie Hu in Jerusalem. Her聽sense of determination led her to a job聽as a summer student at the lab of Dr. Yifat Merbl at the Weizmann Institute of Science.
On-campus programs help ignite research ambitions
Hu鈥檚 passion for research started in high school, when she spent a summer on campus for the , and worked at a research lab in the looking at the ethnocultural and gender differences affecting medication adherence of cardiac patients.
鈥淚t was my very first exposure to research, and I was fascinated by the research methodology,鈥 Hu says. 鈥淚t inspired me to pursue research further. The experience also helped me decide to come to 草莓污视频导航. Attending presentations by researchers and touring research facilities during the program had showed me the incredible people and work happening here 鈥斅營 really wanted to be part of it.鈥
After completing her first year in the 's , Hu jumped right into the research opportunities available to undergraduate students. During the summer, she participated in the Markin Undergraduate Student Research Program (USRP) in Health and Wellness.
She spent the summer working in Dr. Edward O鈥橞rien鈥檚 translational biology lab, which focused on the mechanisms involved in the development of atherosclerosis. 鈥淭he experience was exciting, yet challenging, especially as I was researching in a field not directly related to my field of study, as a chemistry major,鈥 says Hu.
鈥淚t pushed me to direct my own learning and learn through applying.聽I鈥檓 very thankful for programs like the Markin USRP, the , and the . I believe they鈥檙e extremely valuable to students, giving us a chance to explore while opening up doors for our futures.鈥
International research opportunities inspire career ambitions
In the years that followed, Hu would open up doors on her own. Knowing that she wanted to continue exploring research, she figured she would try something different the summer after her second year. 鈥淚 thought going abroad would be an excellent opportunity to broaden my horizons and challenge myself. Japan seemed like a perfect place to go,鈥 she explains.
After searching for study abroad opportunities, Hu applied for, and was accepted to, an eight-week summer research placement at through the . She spent her time working in a molecular immunology lab, which aimed to develop control methods for inflammatory and immune diseases.
She also found inspiration in seeing how science can bridge differences in languages and cultures, and made friends from across the world that she is connected with to this day.
鈥淢y trip to Japan was an eye-opening experience for me. Exploring the research mindsets and approaches of scientists and labs across the world, and being able to compare that with my experience at 草莓污视频导航, was very insightful for me,鈥 Hu says.
Not wanting to slow either her research or travel momentum, Hu's third summer of undergrad once again featured both.
鈥淎fter my summer in Japan, I knew I wanted to do something similar the following summer. In trying to narrow down where I wanted to go next, I was drawn to in Israel. As a leading multidisciplinary research institute that fosters curiosity-driven research, I knew I鈥檇 be able to learn so much from the scientists there. Israel, with its rich culture and history, was also a place I really wanted to explore.鈥
Unfortunately, her first application to an undergraduate summer program at the Weizmann Institute was unsuccessful. Spurred forward by determination and a positive spirit, Hu did not let that get in her way.
Determined to study at the Weizmann Institute, she researched different labs that fit well with her own interests and reached out to professors. She was thrilled when she heard back from , who agreed to take her on as a summer student through the .
Merbl鈥檚 lab uses cutting-edge technology to study protein regulation processes in cancer and immunity, and Hu鈥檚 project 鈥斅燼 biochemistry technique that tracks protein modification in cells 鈥斅燽uilt on her previous research work in Japan and in O鈥橞rien鈥檚 lab. The Faculty of Science helped fund her travel expenses through an IDEAS Fund scholarship and an聽 from 草莓污视频导航 International.
To add to her experience, Hu was named as an ambassador for , and shared her experiences with a Canadian audience through blogs, pictures, and social media posts.
鈥淲ith opportunity and freedom to explore, I had some amazing adventures. Looking back, I remember the time flying by so quickly because I was having the time of my life both inside and outside the lab. I would love to go back. I felt such a great bond with the Merbl lab, as they treated me as part of the family.鈥
That鈥檚 not to say that the trip was all play and no work for Angie.
鈥淚n the lab, I鈥檇 stay 10 to 12聽hours on weekdays. In addition to working on my own project, I would聽ask other lab members if I could assist with their projects. They were very supportive, and I was able to try many different things.
"Something that had left a very big impression on me was the attitude the scientists had toward the work 鈥斅爐hey weren鈥檛 coming into the lab like it was only a job, but rather,聽they were coming to something they really loved to do. That energy, excitement, and enthusiasm was something I felt really inspired by, and it鈥檚 something I want to take with me no matter what I do in the future.鈥
Advocating for students
When Hu returned to 草莓污视频导航 for the fall semester, she did everything she could to share her passion and make sure that her fellow students were aware of the life-changing opportunities afforded by an international research experience.
For her final year of undergrad, she took on one more challenge 鈥斅爎unning for a Faculty of Science Representative position with the . She was elected to be one of three student representatives for the faculty, and began working with its International Engagement Committee to promote the international experience to students.聽
Through her role with the Students鈥 Union, Hu organized panel discussions and information sessions to promote the opportunity. Her insights into the rewards and challenges of research abroad helped staff and faculty聽understand how to support students throughout the life cycle of a grant application, from opportunity identification and application support to debriefing upon return.
鈥淏ecause I鈥檓 so passionate about international research, I really want more students to also have these experiences. There are so many opportunities out there!鈥 she says.
Hu organized information sessions for students, offered them resources, and personally supported other students to seek opportunities and apply for them.
鈥淚t鈥檚 been really meaningful because I鈥檝e been able to live their excitement with them as they anticipated their placement, but also heartbreaking because the COVID19 situation has caused the disruption of these programs.鈥
Ever-positive, she says,聽鈥淏ut there鈥檚 always next year!
鈥淚f I鈥檝e learned one thing, it鈥檚 that if you really put your mind to something, you can make it happen, despite obstacles and setbacks in your way.
"I鈥檓 so grateful and lucky to have been part the Faculty of Science. Many of the positive experiences that I have had would not have been possible without the support and guidance of faculty members, staff, and fellow students. The Faculty of Science is a community that cheers you on and wants you to succeed. Research experiences in my undergrad really affirmed my passion for science and medicine.鈥
Hu is excited to continue exploring the world and research when it becomes safe to travel again, and hopes to apply to medical school to one day converge her passions.
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