Randy Guo-Shi Tsai

• What does being a First-Generation College Graduate mean to you?

Graduating as a First-Generation college student is an affirmation that all of the struggles and hard work have been worth it. As a First-Generation college student, there are no parental figures that can hold your hand and guide you towards the right direction when you do not know what to do. It can be hard at times to understand what exactly you are working for and what a college degree can do in terms of accomplishing your goals. But in the process of figuring things out on your own, you learn how to stand up for yourself, you learn to fight when others don't, and most importantly, you learn to be proud of the person you have become.

• What is your proudest moment from your time at UCSD?

My proudest moments from here have been founding Delta Epsilon Mu and MEDLIFE at UCSD and giving students a place to call home and people to call family. I have always struggled to find a place where I belonged, and I realized in college that I was not the only one. With both organizations, I tried to create a place that was warm and welcoming, a network of people that you could pass by on Library Walk and have them immediately bring a smile to your face. I hope that in the future both organizations remain places where students are welcome for who they are without exception, just as my peers accepted me for the person I was.

• Who are the family members, friends or loved ones who have been most influential throughout your college journey? Are there any words of gratitude you would like to share with them?

To all of my peers that I have met through courses or student organizations, every interaction I have had with you has taught me something about myself. My faults that I need to improve on and my strengths that I need to continue to strengthen. Thank you for sticking with me throughout these five years.

To my mom and grandparents, you are truly my rock. Even though you didn't understand anything about the college process, you have stood by my side throughout every single decision. Be it good or bad, you have been there to cheer me on or pick me up. All of you have had more unwavering confidence in me than I have had in myself. I truly hope that one day I can become a man that y'all can be proud of.

• Who are the staff, faculty or mentors who have been most influential throughout your college journey? Are there any words of gratitude you would like to share with them?

There are too many people at UCSD that I would like to give thanks to, but here are a few people who have helped guide me and shape my idea of who I would like to become in the future. I do not think that any words can truly convey how thankful I am for any one of you.

To Dr. Stanley Lo, thank you for giving me multiple opportunities to work with you as an instructional assistant. You have opened my eyes to multiple avenues of teaching and encouraged me to promote accessibility and equity for all students.

To Dr. P.A. George Fortes and Dr. Jon Armour, thank you for reigniting my interest in biology and medicine. At a time when I was not sure whether or not I wanted to become a physician anymore, your endocrinology and physiology lectures cemented my love for learning more about the human body.

To everyone in the Bejar Lab, thank you for welcoming me into the lab with open arms. You have given me every opportunity to develop my skills in research and learn new techniques and computational tools that I would have never thought to learn. I am looking forward to spending the next two years with y'all.

• What do you plan or hope to do after graduating?

I will be working towards earning a Master's degree through the UCSD Contiguous BS/MS program in Biological Sciences, and I plan to apply for medical school soon after.

Campus Affiliations

Campus Involvement

• Co-Founder, Delta Epsilon Mu Pre-Health Fraternity

• Co-Founder, MEDLIFE at UCSD

• Undergraduate Researcher, Bejar Lab

• Instructional Assistant and Tutor, Division of Biological Sciences

• Orientation Leader, Muir College