1. Tell us a little bit about yourself.  Hello! My name is Lauren Kanzaki and I graduated from the University of California, Irvine with a B.S in Biological Sciences back in June of 2016. Since then, I have been working in a developmental and cellular biology research lab studying the development and regeneration of tendons and cartilage. I am drafting a manuscript for publication and have been steadily preparing for my MCAT exam this summer! In my free time I like to volunteer at a local free clinic serving uninsured/underserved people of Orange County and host and judge science competitions for K-12 students within the SoCal region. One of my favorite things to do is train and compete in half marathon races. I am currently training for my seventh race: the SF half marathon. It is becoming one of my favorite excuses to travel to new cities and countries. Maybe I’ll see some of you there!

2. Who was your favorite teacher in school and how did he or she impact you?  My favorite teacher growing up was my 9th grade biology teacher Mrs. Nguyen. She was the first to introduce me to biology and opened my eyes to what studying biology had to offer. She was a very hands on and interactive teacher, providing her students with opportunities to complete labs in anatomy, physiology, genetics, and a variety of other specializations within biology. The biggest lesson I gained from her class was to understand scientific concepts and apply critical thinking for the sake of understanding the world around us, rather than just memorizing content for a good mark. Her passion and enthusiasm for teaching inspired me to get involved in TAing during my undergraduate degree, where I utilized many of her teaching techniques and lecture styles. I may never have pursued a degree in biology or gotten the pre-medical path if Mrs. Nguyen hadn’t sparked my curiosity in biology.

3. When did you first decide you wanted to become a doctor and why?  I decided I wanted to become a doctor through a volunteer experience at a local hospital during university. I actually came into UCI undecided/undeclared and attended a panel hosted by upperclassman where I learned about an internship where I could rotate through different hospital departments. I was always drawn to the medical field but hadn’t figured out exactly what my role would be in it. While in the oncology unit, I met the kindest patient who was only there for pain management. This was the first time I had heard of palliative care. In that moment, I had felt like there was nothing I could do to help her heal her illness and feel better. All I could do was give her a warm blanket and keep her company. I think that you can ask any medical student or physician and they can name one defining moment that was so impactful that they realized their passion for medicine or that reassured their calling to become a doctor. This was mine. From that shift on, I knew that I wanted to become a doctor. I want to do everything I can to help prevent people from getting that sick. I want to become the type of doctor who prioritizes patient care, health education, and preventative care. I see myself staying involved in research and working to find new treatments and cures for treating disease.

4. What area of medicine are you interested in? I am most interested in emergency and intensive care medicine.

5. What’s the coolest experience you’ve had so far on your premedical journey?  The coolest experience I’ve had so far on my premedical journey was definitely having the opportunity to study abroad. I found a program where I could complete my classical physics requirements at University College Dublin in Dublin, Ireland. While the program was academically rigorous (covering one year of material in one summer), I feel like the opportunity challenged me intellectually and personally. If I could sum up my trip in one motto it would be work hard, play hard. My mornings and afternoons were spent learning physical concepts from Irish professors and executing labs led by graduate students. Weeknights and weekends were spent traveling the countryside, exploring the city, and learning about the extensive history and vibrant culture of Ireland through interacting with the locals. Take advantage of every opportunity you get to fit studying abroad in your education.

6. What is your favorite book?  My favorite book of all time so far is The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. The novel tells the story of a young boy and his best friend, the son of his father’s servant. The story is set during the fall of the Afghanistan monarchy, exodus of Pakistani refugees to the United States, and the rise of the Taliban regime. The novel explores many themes in familial ties, regret, and redemption. While I would describe the novel as heavy and emotional, the narrative of the novel left a lasting impact. I love to read novels that introduce me to other cultures and experiences.

7. Tell us one thing interesting about you that most people don’t know.  One thing that most people don’t know about me is that I used to study shaolin kempo martial arts while growing up. In this self-defense oriented practice, I trained in forms, grappling, and sparring. One year I competed in a west coast regional tournament and ended up placing third place in sparring for my age bracket.

8. If you couldn’t be a doctor, what would you want to do? If I couldn’t be a doctor I would go into teaching. Over the years I’ve discovered my passion for mentorship and community engagement through education. I have served as a mentor to younger students and partnered with organizations to get K-12 excited about science and health. Throughout my time in the clinic, I’ve also assumed the role of a patient educator making sure patients fully understand their diagnosis, action plans, and screening guidelines/practices. 

**Originally published June 12, 2017.  Edited and republished for Lauren’s 2nd PreMed of the Week award on August 13, 2018

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