Palos Verdes Peninsula, California, United States
Hi! My name is Justin An, I just graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles summa cum laude, with a B.S. in Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology! I am currently applying to medical school, though I was not always on the medical career path... I entered college as a Political Science major, motivated to pursue law after 5 years of Mock Trial and 4 years of Model United Nations. But, after discovering a love for medicine through University of California, Irvine's Summer Surgery Program in 2019, I have since worked hard to explore my interests in medicine through years of award-winning melanoma research; extensive clinical work as a medical assistant at a COVID-19 clinic during the pandemic and two dermatology clinics; and community engagement through local efforts that range from my client navigation and referrals work at free health fairs for API communities, to six years of restoration work at a nature preserve I grew up visiting with my family. I am eager to pursue a career in medicine to become a dependable, trustworthy, and innovative physician! Thank you for stopping by and I would love to connect with you!
- Streamline active clinical studies by assisting Senior CRC with data entry, patient screenings/visits on five phase III trials - Oversee 12 phase II/III trials (3 chronic spontaneous urticaria, 2 prurigo nodularis, 3 adult/pediatric vitiligo, 2 adult/pediatric atopic dermatitis, 2 adult/pediatric alopecia areata)
- PROJECT 1: Headed STING metabolic pathway experiment treating melanoma cell lines with different drugs, preparing and efficiently maintaining 15 cell cultures at a given time - Re-designed and executed STING 2.0 experiment with 18 new culture trials - Aided postdoc mentor by training fellow undergraduate researchers on how to complete lab protocols - Improved procedure efficiency by creating and contributing to lab protocol guidelines for cell culturing, media and drug preparation, BCA Assay, and Western Blot - PROJECT 2: Conducted IC50/IC90 compound and drug screenings for San Diego based biotechnology company, producing over 150 samples (cell pellets for Western Blots, PCR, and FISH analysis) and meticulously documenting cell counts, viabilities, and images - PROJECT 3: Studied melanoma lipid metabolism and profiled melanoma lipid characteristics through fluorescence in situ hybridization, lipidomics, mitochondrial lipid droplet assays, and small molecule high throughput screenings with 10 lipid inhibitors - Awarded Dean's Prize for Excellence in Research for UCLA Undergraduate Research Week presentation and Departmental Honors for Senior Reserach SRP 198A-C Thesis
- Contributed to high school students learning about the medical field by leading surgical skills workshops, including how to suture, tie surgical knots, laparoscopic practice, Da Vinci Machine experience - Optimized skills experience by helping teach lessons in endoscopy, ultrasound, intubation, BLS/CPR, dissections, brain cadavers, and physician shadowing in the OR - Generated an active, fun, and educational environment by engaging with the students during breaks and routinely checking in on students during lab - Returned to program as a Lab Specialist and College Coach Summer 2022 - Designed and spearheaded teaching of program surgical skills curriculum (sutures, surgical knots, laparoscopy, Da Vinci Surgical Robot, endoscopy, ultrasound, biopsy) - Facilitated an engaging, fun, and welcoming environment as a College Coach at the dorms by leading reflection exercises, study sessions, and one-on-ones with the students - Returned to program as a Lab Specialist Summer 2024
- Assist Mohs Surgeon with Mohs Micrographic Surgical Procedures for melanoma and on site physicians/providers with diagnostic and clinical based dermatology treatments - Prepare clinic and patient exam rooms by organizing surgical trays, sanitizing exam seats, and breaking down rooms post-operation - Room patients, input medical histories, and brief doctors on patients' backgrounds and reasons for visits - Assist with patient visits and procedures (full body skin checks, skin biopsies, conduct suture removals)
- shadowed General Surgery Fellows in the Oregon Clinic and in the operating room - learned fundamentals of different fields of medicine and surgery from surgeon lead didactics - participated in hands on skills-labs in the FSIE research laboratory (suturing, laparoscopy, GI mentor/endoscopy, POEM training, transoral fundoplication training, vascular access labs, electrosurgery & surgical stapler labs) - placed 1st for FLS laparoscopy and GI Mentor competition, and 2nd for MIMIC Da Vinci competition