Hello guys! My name is Natalie and I'm Molecular​/​Cell Biology major here at UCSD. Last year, I booted myself from the East Coast to California, and I am already finding it difficult to drag myself back over. La Jolla is a cornucopia of sun, ocean breeze, and stunning views. No wonder everyone here is always walking around with a tan and a smile! During my first year on campus, I tried to discover everything I could. What spot has the best coffee, what dining halls have a good mix of atmosphere and food, what clubs were the most exciting? I can provide a range of recommendations, from the tried and true to the more niche.

Hometown

Alexandria, Virginia

Major(s)

Molecular​/​Cell Biology

Clubs, organizations & involvement

I am involved in multiple hiking social clubs on campus, including Peaks and Professors, Triton Trailblazers, and Girls Gone Wild. The one that I am most involved with is Peaks, where I am a hike lead. The club hosts multiple hikes with professors from across UCSD throughout the quarter, and I help coordinate and direct the hikes. It is important to me that everyone who comes on our trip (students and professors included) has fun delving into topics that may be new to them and interacting with new people. Near the end of last year, I also got hired by a lab on campus. They research bacteriophages (viruses that target bacteria) to help develop phage therapies. As an undergrad, I help keep the lab materials stocked and organized, and there is also space for me to get involved in the lab's research.

Describe your college experience

I have really enjoyed UCSD so far. There is such a diverse pool of people and experiences. I am someone who craves novelty, and there is always something happening either on or around campus to scratch that itch. You are never forced into a single repeating loop.

Tip for future students

My tip for future students would be to have a plan of what you want to do extracurricularly before you get to campus. There are so many clubs and organizations on campus that it can be a bit overwhelming, especially if you are anything like me and want to dabble in a bit of everything. Scrolling around Instagram to see what clubs are active and poking about online can go a long way. But really, the most important thing is to not limit yourself and go get involved.

Favorite class

My favorite class that I have taken so far was Accelerated Intro to Programming (CSE 11). While this class had a heavy workload, it provided me with an opportunity to challenge myself. Every week, we had to complete a coding problem set, each one increasing in complexity. In my opinion, the teaching staff struck a good balance between hand-holding and encouraging independence. The guidelines the professor​/​TAs provided were well constructed and detailed, but they provided enough room for interpretation, allowing every student to create their own pathway for problem solving. Additionally, there was near constant support for this class. It was a large class, so there were enough TAs for them to rotate through hosting office hours all day, with some even available on weekends. I was not really a "coding person" prior to taking this class, so the few times I got tangled and confused, a TA was there to help me bushwhack my way out of my own work.

Career goals

After college, I plan on eventually getting a PhD. After that, I want to work in the biotech industry. I am most interested in work that involves creating synthetic organisms and proteins to further scientific progress.

Ideal way to spend a free night

I think that my perfect way to spend a free night would be to invite a couple of friends over to cook a beautifully delicious dinner. We could then sit around the table playing a good board game, and end the night with a bit of dessert and a scary movie.

High school or secondary school

Alexandria City High School

Favorite spot on campus

One of my favorite spots on campus is the UCSD Climate Action Lab. It is located in the middle of Sixth College on the first floor of the Arts and Humanities building. In my opinion, it is one of the best spots to study on campus, especially earlier in the morning or in the evening when the space is less active. The room opened recently, so all the furniture and equipment are fresh and modern. All of the desks are equipped with plugs, which is super convenient. In the corner, there are two comfy armchairs that are perfect for doing readings or watching lectures. The walls are adorned with ocean-themed student artwork, such as my favorite piece: a giant reef quadrant made entirely of yarn. It is incredibly creative and masterfully executed; props to the artist. However, my favorite aspect of the room is the massive floor-to-ceiling windows that coat three of the four walls. It almost makes me feel as if I were in an aquarium looking out at my fellow students flowing through Sixth College.