In the month of January 2025, I had the opportunity to intern at the St. Andrew's Community Hospital from the 6th of January to the 24th of January. Prior to this attachment, I had several exposure working with the elderly at nursing homes and active aging centres. however, the experience in the hospital presented different perspective of elderly patients that were in the community. 

Over the course of three weeks, I had the invaluable opportunity to shadow a diverse group of healthcare professionals, including therapists, nurses, and doctors. A standout experience was working closely with elderly patients diagnosed with dementia, where I gained first-hand insight into their care. Additionally, I accompanied a doctor and nurse on a home visit to provide care for home-bound patients, further expanding my understanding of healthcare in a variety of settings.

Overall, the experience left a profound impact on my life and it has continued to inspire me to pursue healthcare in the future. Through this attachment, I also understood the relevance of each role of the different healthcare professionals and the importance of communication between the various teams in the hospital. If given the chance again, I would take up the opportunity to  exposure myself and learn from the healthcare professionals

On the 16th of March, 2024, I had the privilege of participating in the LKC Anatomy Challenge 2024, organized by LKC School of Medicine. This year's focus was on vascular and lymphatics, and participants had to have a solid understanding of vascular systems. The event commenced with a hundred-minute individual challenge, delving into the intricacies of the vascular and lymphatic systems.

Following the individual challenge, participants were treated to tours of various booths showcasing the diverse skill sets required of medical students studying anatomy. These booths covered a range of topics including medical history taking and the fundamentals of deciphering the stages of patient injuries. However, the highlight of the event was undoubtedly the ultrasound scanning activity.

During the ultrasound scanning session, I had the invaluable opportunity to gain firsthand experience operating an ultrasound machine to examine the heart of a volunteer. This hands-on experience provided me with a deeper understanding of cardiovascular anatomy and reinforced theoretical knowledge with practical application. Overall, the LKC Anatomy Challenge 2024 was an enriching experience that furthered my understanding of vascular and lymphatic systems while honing my practical skills in medical imaging.

On the 4th and 5th of January, I had the privilege of participating in an informative session on molecular biology and cancer at NTU. The lecture series was facilitated by Associate Professor Melissa Fullwood, a distinguished researcher specializing in the exploration of the three-dimensional organization of the human genome and its implications in transcriptional regulation within cancer cells.

The lecture comprised two parts, commencing with an introductory segment on DNA and proteins, followed by an in-depth analysis of the nature of cancer. Professor Fullwood delved into various cancer types, the fundamental principles of cancer biology, historical immunological concepts that remain pertinent today, and the contemporary methodologies employed in cancer treatment.

This enlightening experience extended my understanding beyond the confines of the H2 A-levels Biology curriculum. A significant insight gained was the realization that, while numerous potential approaches exist for treating cancer, its persistent lethality is attributed to the intricate challenge of configuring the appropriate RNA to effectively target cancer cells.

The 4-day program proved to be a highly enriching experience for me, allowing me to delve deeper into the field of research, which aligns closely with my academic interests. During this program, I had the privilege of attending presentations on diverse research projects conducted by both past and current researchers participating in the esteemed CN Yang Scholar's program. This exposure proved to be truly enlightening and provided me with valuable insights into the cutting-edge work being undertaken in the field.

Furthermore, I had the pleasure of interacting with numerous like-minded individuals who share a keen passion for research. These interactions not only fostered a sense of camaraderie but also allowed me to engage in stimulating discussions on various research topics.

Without a doubt, the most memorable aspect of the program was the hands-on lab experience at NTU labs. This invaluable opportunity granted me a first-hand encounter with the practical aspects of research, which I did not have the opportunity to previously. This immersive experience was an eye-opening one that enabled me to learn more about the hands on aspects of reasearch. 

In conclusion, I am grateful to have gotten this opportunity during the March holidays to spend time learning and exploring my career interests.