Julia Wang
Hometown: Mendota Heights, MN
Education: University of Wisconsin-Madison
MD Mentors: Dr. Nedaa Skeik
Staff Mentor: Julianne Salamanca
Projects: Renal artery vasculopathy. Single center case study.
How did you hear about the MHIF internship and why did you want to participate?
I heard about this internship from my father who works at MHIF, and a friend of mine was in a previous year’s cohort and had a very positive experience. I also did a little bit of research work with MHIF a few years ago and really enjoyed it, so I was interested in continuing that work through this internship.
What sparked your interest in the field of research, medicine and cardiology?
I grew up with parents working in very different medical specialties, which provided me with an appreciation for the diverse range of ways to help people. Working with MHIF a few years ago definitely sparked my interest in research and cardiology. Prior to that experience, I did not know much about and was not very interested in cardiology. However, I quickly became excited by the prospect of being able to help people and being involved in healthcare in ways beyond direct care.
What is your desired career in medicine?
I am interested in refugee medicine, particularly in psychiatry or pediatrics.
What are you most looking forward to this summer?
I am very excited to continue learning more about cardiovascular research from my PI and mentor and getting to know the other interns!
What do you hope to gain from this experience?
I hope to gain more experience with biomedical cardiovascular research and be able to contribute to MHIF’s cutting-edge therapies that have helped many of my family members.
What are your plans after the summer?
I still have one more year of college left to complete, so I will be taking classes and studying for the MCAT next year. After that, I will be taking a gap year and working on medical school applications.
What is a fun fact about you?
I love playing instruments and singing! I used to play violin and piano in high school, and I am learning how to play guitar now.
