Caitlynn T. (IN A NUTSHELL)

Caitlynn is a sophomore at Stanford University pursuing a major in Chemistry along with a minor in Psychology. To explore her intellectual curiosity further, she conducts research in a lab that focuses on personalized medicine for brain cancer by developing patient-derived models from resected brain tissue and investigating novel drug targets and therapeutics. Caitlynn also examines the tradeoffs of insecticide resistance in Drosophila melanogaster with another lab specialized in evolutionary biology. She has always gravitated towards teaching and mentoring others throughout her life, whether that be helping explain a math concept or demonstrating a dance move in front of her peers. In high school, Caitlynn mentored middle school students as a Science Olympiad coach and taught math and science as a private tutor. As she progressed further in her education, she quickly realized the disproportionate amount of women in the field of STEM, which sparked a passion in her for closing this gap and encouraging more women to pursue STEM. Caitlynn developed a virtual workshop during the pandemic to introduce engineering to elementary aged girls in an engaging and fun way through building a functioning mousetrap vehicle with household materials. Despite the initial hesitation, the girls ended the workshop with smiles, increased confidence in their engineering abilities, and a newfound excitement towards STEM. Caitlynn continues to grow this passion of hers as a student coach with Stanford Science Olympiad and a tournament director for Golden Gate Science Olympiad by working with young students in STEM disciplines and creating avenues where they can be challenged further. Her other academic interests include those related to medicine and health. Caitlynn has been involved with Team HBV since high school to raise awareness and educate others about the racial health disparity of hepatitis B. She also volunteers at the Pacific Free Clinic to provide high quality translational medical care to underserved patients and works to expand the reach of the clinic as a Patient Outreach Chair. Aside from academics, she has had a long-lasting love for dance that persists through college. Caitlynn dances and sometimes choreographs in the style of contemporary, hip hop, and Vietnamese fan dancing in her free time. As a mentor with Curious Cardinals, she hopes to foster growth in young students and inspire them to pursue their passions.