Immigrant neuroscientist goes from bakery to farm to grad school
/My time in high school
Attended high school in the
2000s
Overall high school experience
8/10
Grades in high school
A's and B's. Always felt like the slowest person in AP classes, which is a funny thing to complain about. I didn't have that confidence that I saw in others.
Favorite subjects
Science, Visual Arts
Favorite extracurricular
Arts / Crafts
Life since high school
“I worked on a farm, in a bakery, as a culinary instructor for small groups. These last few experiences reminded me that I want to learn and discover, not to serve and produce.”
Attended college / university at
UC Davis
Majored in
Neurobiology
Post-graduate education or training
graduate school
Places lived in US
California
Current occupations / past occupations
Lab assistant, baker, and now student
Industries I've worked in
- Accommodation and Food Services
- Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation
- Educational Services
- Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (e.g. Law, Accounting, Interior Design, Graphic Design, R&D, PR, Advertising, etc.)
Did your education prepare you for your career or occupation?
academically - yes. socially and pragmatically - no. I had to find peers who had similar trajectories and learn from them.
A little introspection...
To me, being successful means...
creating an intentional community of people who support each other, growing into relationships in every way. It is truly not about your own success.
My definition of success has changed over time.
I slowly learned that it's not about the popularity, the brand, the namesake...
My greatest accomplishment to date and what I’ve learned from it
Getting to study what I love in graduate school. It took me a while to get here, but I needed to learn more and feel confident in my field of research. And, I needed to try out other jobs - I worked on a farm, in a bakery, as a culinary instructor for small groups. These last few experiences reminded me that I want to learn and discover, not to serve and produce.
My biggest mistake or regret so far and what I’ve learned from it
I regret doing what was easy. You will always find the right people to help you reach your goals. But not the reverse - no one else can choose your path.
This alumni is open to your questions and follow-ups.
In order to protect anonymity, we will pass along your message and they can choose whether to respond.
My favorite spot in or around Palo Alto
Philz in midtown
