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Recent �鶹��ý (�鶹��ý) honors graduate Kristine Chai is already making a mark in the rapidly advancing field of biotechnology.

Following high school graduation, Kristine was certain she wanted to study science, so  �鶹��ý’s well regarded biotechnology program was a natural choice. Now, she has graduated with top honors and been accepted to her three first choice schools – UC Los  Angeles, UC Berkeley and UC Irvine (UCI) – and is leaning towards UCI. 

A standout student in �鶹��ý’s biotechnology program, Kristine excelled in her coursework and served as a microbiology lab assistant mentoring peers. Through �鶹��ý’s cooperative  work experience program, she secured a competitive internship at Irvine-based Invitrx Therapeutics, where she contributed to pioneering research on engineered exosomes— tiny, membrane-bound vesicles that facilitate cellular communication—for anti-aging therapies. Her work culminated in a presentation at the Honors Transfer Council of California Research Conference.

According to Victor Pham, an associate professor of biotechnology at �鶹��ý, Kristine’s  curiosity and dedication make her exceptional in her field. “Kristine is a highly motivated and dedicated student with a strong desire to learn and grow,” he says. “She  consistently seeks out opportunities to improve and demonstrates a profound commitment to scientific research.” 

Kristine is equally enthusiastic about her experiences at �鶹��ý, which she says were an integral part of her educational journey. “�鶹��ý has a community of hard working, motivated students and is the top transfer school in California,” she says. “�鶹��ý’s honors program and biotech curriculum fit my needs perfectly and provided a solid technical foundation – helping me build core skills and determine my research interests.”

These experiences provided the springboard to the prestigious internship at Invitrx Therapeutics, a leader in regenerative medicine, where she will continue to work  through the summer. Also this summer, Kristine is deepening her real-world experience  through a research program in UC Irvine’s renowned biomedical engineering  department. Under Dr. Wendy Liu, she is studying the mechanosensitive protein Piezo1, which helps cells detect physical forces, to explore how the body responds to  foreign materials like medical implants.

This is a tremendous opportunity to do trail blazing work, she says. “I am so excited to  work on such cutting-edge research with a leading researcher.” 

Biotechnology has captured her interest for multiple reasons. “It’s an interdisciplinary  field, she says, with “many different entry points, so you can identify areas specific to your interest. And ultimately, you can make a big difference in humanity through  groundbreaking innovations.”

While she is not yet quite certain which trajectory the fast-paced field of biotechnology will lead her on, one thing is clear – with her drive and intellect, Kristine is well poised to make a vital impact in a profession rich with innovation and opportunity. For more information go to ivc.edu/ewd.