Mentor Spotlight: Michelle Li, Mentor of the Semester
The 2nd semester of our mentorship program has ended on March 30th, 2024. We wanted to spotlight Michelle Li, a senior in high school who has been mentoring for both semesters, as the Mentor of the Semester. In addition to being a mentor, Michelle is also the Vice President of the Brain2heart New York chapter and a team member of the Writing/Research Department. Recently, we have interviewed Michelle about her experience as a mentor with Brain2heart.
Q: Please introduce yourself!
A: Hello, I'm Michelle, a senior in high school. I've been proudly mentoring at Brain2heart since the beginning of the school year, and I'm thrilled to be Brain2heart’s “Mentor of the Semester.” Outside of academics, I like to draw, ice skate, and play badminton. During my free time, I enjoy listening to music and taking walks outside.
Q: What medical field do you hope to go into and why?
A: I hope to specialize in ophthalmology because vision is a sense that I cannot imagine living without. Although I was always interested in medicine, my interest in the eyes developed during the summer when I volunteered at a senior center. While working with the seniors, I heard many stories of their youth. However, one story in particular stood out to me. Mrs. Peng shared stories of visiting landmark locations in China and reminiscing about her days playing badminton with friends. Unfortunately, due to her tunnel vision caused by glaucoma, she is unable to participate in activities she once loved. Seeing the debilitating effects of eye conditions like glaucoma underscored the preciousness of vision, igniting my interest in the eyes.
Q: What were the reasons as to why you decided to mentor these young students with brain2heart?
A: I began tutoring over the summer for math and history, and it was really fun. It was rewarding seeing my students grow in curiosity and I wanted to continue mentoring for anatomy and physiology. When I discovered brain2heart, I felt like it was a perfect extracurricular for me. So that's why I’m here!
Q: What is your favorite part of the mentorship program?
A: My favorite part of the mentorship program is the opportunity to forge connections with students and witness their passion for science and the medical field blossom. As someone who struggled in science growing up, I understand the importance of having a teacher who is not only enthusiastic and passionate but also patient and understanding. Therefore, I have thoroughly enjoyed being able to teach the topics while creating a free and open environment for the students. Witnessing my students' growth and seeing them open up to new ideas and concepts has been truly rewarding and heartwarming.
Q: What is something you would like to tell students who are thinking of becoming mentors?
A: If you’re interested in pursuing a career in medicine or just like science in general, I highly recommend joining our team! Although it may be difficult to prepare for the lessons, witnessing your students' advancement in subjects they are passionate about yet struggle with makes the effort worthwhile.
Q: In addition to being a mentor, you are also in the writing/research department of brain2heart. What has your experience in that department been like?
A: I’ve enjoyed it thoroughly. In my free time, I enjoyed reading the work of my peers and understanding what their interests were and why they were interested in that particular topic.
Interviewed By: Sumin Yoon
Blog Written By: Sumin Yoon
