Phoebe Loo

This summer, with your support, I had the incredible opportunity to participate in a cancer biology research internship within a lab at Seoul National University in Seoul, South Korea. Our lab’s focus is tumor immunology, investigating the effects of radiation therapy on cancer cells at the cellular level. I was assigned my own research project through which I learned a variety of different experimental procedures and exercised critical thinking to generate innovative solutions to modern medical issues. In addition, we had lab meetings and journal club every week, during which we would share data and present relevant research papers, fostering a sense of community and intellectual stimulation.

In addition to my academic and professional development, I also had the amazing opportunity to learn about the culture of Seoul and what the city has to offer. Outside of work, I met up with friends for meals, exploring new areas, restaurants, and dishes within Seoul. We visited different shopping districts, landmarks, and music festivals, which was a good balance of Seoul’s more historical sites and the modern, rapidly developing areas. We also took a trip as a lab to a traditional Korean folk village, where I got to learn more about the country’s history and traditional practices. For example, the tallest tree within a traditional Korean village often had cloths tied to its branches as a means of asking for protection over the village, with each different color of cloth representing the North, South, East, and West (please see attached image). This is only one of the many fascinating sights I had the privilege of seeing this summer.

I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to live independently, develop personal and professional connections, and learn about the history of and life within a new country, none of which would be possible without your support—thank you!