Hi! I'm Sara, I'm an incoming senior at UCLA majoring in Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, with a minor in Global Health. Outside of the lab (where I spend a lot of time!), I’m super involved in UCLA’s dance community. I’m the incoming President of the Ballet Company at UCLA, and I take classes and perform regularly with the Dance department. I like to think I have a pretty well-rounded view of UCLA, from science and pre-med life to the arts, and I’ve been lucky to take on leadership roles in several student-led organizations, including starting some of my own. I’d love to show you around and share everything I’ve learned about making the most of your time here!

Hometown

Palm Springs, CA

Major(s)

Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics

Minor(s)

Global Health

Clubs, organizations & involvement

Undergraduate Researcher (MIMG Path 2) Social Chair, President-Elect: Ballet Company at UCLA Founder: Critical Global Health Interest Group at UCLA HIV Linkage Counselor: HIV Counseling and Testing Coalition at UCLA Dance Teacher: Expressive Movement Initiative at UCLA

Describe your college experience

I came from a *very* small high school (my graduating class had just 9 people) and it wasn’t exactly science-focused. So coming to a huge school like UCLA as a pre-med, in one of the most notoriously challenging life science majors, was definitely an adjustment. That said, I want to emphasize: it’s absolutely do-able if you have the drive and are willing to put yourself out there. Every opportunity I’ve had here came from stepping outside of my comfort zone. It wasn’t always easy, but the growth and the experiences have been unimaginably worth it. No one’s going to hand you anything — but once you take that first step, you’ll be amazed at what opens up for you, and how you start to find your people along the way!

Tip for future students

Don't wait for permission. Just do it! Reach out to people, ask for help; people want to help you, but you have to show it.

Favorite class

Funnily enough — Shakespeare! I ended up taking two Shakespeare classes, and while they were rooted in literature, they were really about critically analyzing the texts on a deeper level than what you would receive in high school. Through those classes, I developed a more critical way of assessing the world, which I've found incredibly valuable in every other area of my academic, career, and personal life.

Career goals

I hope to tackle neglected tropical diseases as an infectious diseases physician, researcher, and global health leader — with a focus on community, social justice, and global health equity.

Ideal way to spend a free night

Dancing with friends; ballet, salsa, you name it!

High school or secondary school

Palm Valley School, Rancho Mirage, CA

Previous college

N​/​A