User:CathyLiu

Cathy here, writing about the ultimate 2008 UCSF iGem experience!

But first, a few facts about yours truly. I am currently a freshman attending the University of California, Los Angeles. I am a proud graduate of Abraham Lincoln High School's class of 2008. [I have never appreciated San Francisco more than I do now. I miss my family, friends, and my beloved pet cat. I also miss the lab.] Not only am I a biology nerd, I am also a fan of badminton, hip hop dance, drumming, bowling, movies, and my mom's cooking. As for music, I couldn't live without it. I particularly enjoy listening to the genres alternative and indie rock, hip hop, R&B, and [every once in a while,] Chinese! I have also recently grown very fond of cable television, thanks to UCLA's generous resources. Furthermore, I am fairly well known amongst my UCSF colleagues as either the one who enjoys the pleasure of labeling and beading plates or the one with a ridiculous laugh. But my all time favorite thing to do [other than spending time at UCSF] would have to be spending time with my 2ol family.

This summer, I was given the wonderful opportunity to participate in the iGem competition as a UCSF team member. We have an amazing team this year, and we had a lot of fun over the summer. The excitement ranged from Jacinto's Yeastzilla to Alex's microphone moments to Jimmy's dangerous car rides to Ryan's plastic insects. I am sure we are all looking forward to bringing some UCSF flavor to the Jamboree this November. The Lim Lab has been very helpful throughout the past fews months, and is BY FAR the coolest lab in existence [partially because Puffy is so attractive]. I am so glad to have been in the presence of such hilarious graduate and post doctoral students [who play squash and are smarter than fifth graders]. And a big thank you to Noah for enlightening my knowledge of geography.

I am very proud to have been a member of Team Death, and to have served bacteria-killing yeast everywhere. I owe a lot of credit to the biotechnology program at Lincoln High School, as well as Ms. Reis and Mr. C.

Last but not least: this experience would not have been as fulfilling without my partner in crime, Willis Wong. Mad props. What a trip is has been [attempting to turn off the tractor beam]!