Class Scholar: 1979

Se Fum (Steven) Wong, Class of 2014

Bio
Thank You Letter

Dear Class of 1979,

Thank you for providing the generous Medical Alumni Association Class of 1979 Medical Student Scholarship, which is a substantial gift that will help advance my career. I am privileged and extremely proud to be a student at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, where there is a commitment to training physicians who will be leaders in their respective fields. My experiences with faculty, staff and peers challenge me to excel and be an active life-long learner.

Although I am humble and introverted by nature, I flourished during my first year, particularly in small-group environments such as problem-based learning and doctoring, where I developed stronger leadership abilities. I enjoyed the departure from the orthodox didactic-style curriculum I had experienced at the University of California, Berkeley and fully embraced the interactive learning environment fostered by the UCLA curriculum. Working in a small group, I learned to be assertive and contribute without being overbearing. Consequently, I hold my colleagues in high esteem; I am amazed by their achievements and inspired by their endeavors. I strive for my performance and efforts to earn reciprocal respect.

Outside the classroom, I developed an interest in research while working on the molecular mechanism of liver fibrosis under the tutelage of Dr. Simon Beaven. I feel fortunate to have a mentor who has unbridled enthusiasm and wisdom and challenges me to think. He has shown me the diversity of simultaneously being a successful clinician and managing a career in basic science. I am intrigued by basic science, the framework for understanding how medicine works, and the manipulation of biological mechanisms and pathways to avert or control pathological states. I would like to continue working on this project until a more definite conclusion is reached.

I thank you again for your support and hope that one day I may assume your position and continue the tradition of giving.

Sincerely,

Se Fum (Steven) Wong
Class of 2014