Claire Yung
Learning to ask questions has been one of the most important things I’ve taken away from my time at Lewis & Clark.
Pronouns
Degree and Class Year
Hometown
Current City
Major
Extracurriculars
Job Title, Organization
What three words would you use to describe L&C?
What made you want to come to Lewis & Clark?
I always knew that a small, liberal arts college would be the best fit for me, and I liked the idea of going to school in the Pacific Northwest. What solidified it for me was when I met a chemistry honors thesis senior while I was exploring Olin. He was so enthusiastic and positive while talking about his experience at L&C and I felt that the environment he described was what I was looking for in a college.
What have you been doing since graduation?
After graduation, I took some time to reset while I applied for jobs in research labs. Currently, I am a research assistant in the Department of Pediatrics at Oregon Health & Sciences University in Dr. Sarah Andres’ lab investigating therapeutics for necrotizing enterocolitis.
How did Lewis & Clark prepare you for your job?
The various lab classes I took at Lewis & Clark and my honors senior thesis taught me many skills, including becoming detail oriented, which has been extremely valuable for working in a lab every day.
What would you say is the most important thing you learned at Lewis & Clark?
Learning to ask questions has been one of the most important things I’ve taken away from my time at Lewis & Clark. Many of my professors loved students attending their office hours and valued learning and understanding over an emphasis on grades.
Why did you major in biochemistry and molecular biology?
I’ve always been fascinated by how things fit together and work, which led me to love chemistry. As I continued with my classes, I realized I was even more interested in the intersection of biology and chemistry, and learning about the chemistry of biological systems was exciting for me!
How do you stay connected to Lewis & Clark as an alum?
I make sure to keep up with alumni events, and still stay in contact with my underclassmen!
Who was your mentor on campus? Why do you consider this person your mentor?
I consider Dr. Sharon Torigoe my mentor on campus! During her office hours, she would push me slightly each time in my thought processes while problem solving, and when I felt like I wouldn’t be able to figure out the answer to a question, she would help me see I was on the right path and encourage me to keep going. She has seen my growth throughout my years at Lewis & Clark, and her mentorship has shown me the importance of having a good mentor in my career and beyond.
