Joanne Chang, PhD Student 2027

What happened after high school?

I moved to the UK to study Biomedical Sciences at the University of Edinburgh. I specialized in Anatomy & Development, and I completed my senior honours project in a tissue engineering lab studying the use of jellyfish collagen scaffolds for cartilage/enthesis regeneration. Afterwards, I moved on to study for a master's in regenerative medicine at the University of Edinburgh, where I gained more experience working in stem cell research, and completed using induced pluripotent stem cells for investigating embryonic development. Finally, I moved to Dublin in 2023 to begin a PhD to research developing a cell model of cardiovascular disease, using induced pluripotent stem cells.

What do you remember from the Discovery Day event and what impact did it have on you?

I think the most significant memory from the Discovery Day event was hearing about all the clinicians' experiences working with patients, and the amount of impact that not only direct medical interventions have on patients, but also the significance of medical research that goes on behind the scenes. It really spurred my interest in research and inspired me to pursue biomedical research for the amount of change it can make in patients' lives.

Any advice for high school students?

Things don't always go as planned, but there's always something you can learn or appreciate from these unexpected changes! No matter what, persistence is key. Even if you're not the most brilliant academically, if you show resilience and passion for your subject, things will work out. I was never the best student (my grades were average), but I still found my way to a PhD project I enjoy.