Breadcrumb
student story bank header

 

Mabel’s story is one of MOBILITY. At UC Riverside, Mabel has the opportunity to explore different options and discover a career that she loves. 

SUMMARY 

    • Hook: passionate about science, exploring her career options at UCR 

    • Goal: biology student on pre-med track and discovering her future career in science 

    • Activities: Dynamic Genome, Karginov Lab, San Bernardino Free Clinic, American Medical Student Association, Taekwondo Club, CNAS peer mentor, COPE Health Scholar, University Honors 

    • Scholarship: 2023-24 Neil Allison Campbell Endowed Research Award
       

STRATEGY 

Passionate about science from a young age, Mabel is studying biology on the pre-medical track at UC Riverside. Her experience with RISE, a summer research program, helped narrow down her career options. Mabel’s story is a great example of mobility at UCR. 

 

NARRATIVE 

Experimenting with a Future in Science 

If you asked Mabel Tan what her favorite show was as a child, she would’ve answered National Geographic or any science channel. In high school, her teachers recognized her love for science and encouraged her to pursue STEM. This resulted in her choosing to study biology at UC Riverside. 

At UCR, Mabel was interested in both research and medicine but didn’t know which path would suit her the best. When she participated in RISE, a 10-week summer research program, she was mentored by a faculty member and collaborated on a research project. Thanks to this experience, Mabel realized research wasn’t for her and decided to choose the pre-medical track to study medicine. With resources such as the RISE program, students like Mabel can comfortably explore their academic interests and career options. 

Mabel is involved in the Dynamic Genome Program and the American Medical Student Association. She is an undergraduate research assistant for Dr. Karginov’s lab and volunteers for the San Bernardino Free Clinic as a labs and training officer. She has also served as a CNAS Peer Mentor at UCR and COPE Health Scholar at Riverside Community Hospital.  

Mabel is a recipient of the 2023-24 Neil Allison Campbell Endowed Research Award and is a 2023 RISE Summer Scholar. 

 

SOUND BITES 

From the National Geographic channel to a career in science 
Experimenting with the right formula for her future 

  • Taking an interest in science channels such as National Geographic from a young age, Mabel knew she wanted to pursue a career in STEM. As a pre-med biology student, she’s joined research programs and worked as an undergraduate research assistant to set herself up for success for a future in science. 

  • To help her choose between research and medicine, Mabel completed a summer research program called RISE. After that experience, she realized medicine would be a better fit for her. As Mabel continues to explore the resources UC Riverside has to offer, she’ll find the right path for her future. 

 

QUOTE  

“Through this experience with RISE, I learned a lot about what research really is – in all its challenges and rewards – and myself as a learner.” 

 

SOCIAL MEDIA 

LinkedIn and Facebook: 

Mabel Tan is a University Honors student studying biology on the pre-medical track. She is an undergraduate research assistant with Dr. Karginov’s lab and serves as a CNAS Peer Mentor. She’s also volunteered at Riverside Community Hospital as a COPE Health Scholar and is gaining experience as a labs and training officer at the San Bernardino Free Clinic. At UC Riverside, Mabel is taking advantage of the resources available to chart her own path. 

Instagram: 

Mabel Tan is a University Honors student studying biology on the pre-medical track. She is an undergraduate research assistant with Dr. Karginov’s lab and serves as a CNAS Peer Mentor. As a volunteer, she was a COPE Health Scholar at Riverside Community Hospital and is a labs and training officer at the San Bernardino Free Clinic. At UC Riverside, Mabel is taking advantage of the resources available to chart her own path. 

 

Suggested hashtags: #UCRiverside #UCR #CNAS #boldheartsbrilliantminds 

 

AVAILABLE ASSETS 

N/A. Reach out to Stan Lim (stan.lim@ucr.edu) for photography. 

 

SUGGESTED USES 

    1. CNAS-related print and/or digital materials (newsletters, brochures, proposals, etc.) 

    1. CNAS-related events: sharing student stories 

    1. Print or digital advertising: recruiting prospective students during application season