Spring of 2025
In 2025, Carina joined the UCLA Liquid Biopsy Lab as a high school researcher. While shadowing researchers, she is mainly responsible for illustrating scientific figures for the lab’s publications. This experience allows Carina to combine her two notable passions – art and science – in a way that contributes to advancing medical research.
The UCLA Liquid Biopsy Lab develops non-invasive technology to detect cancer. My first research project was on Osteosarcoma, the most common bone cancer that is primarily found in children.
October 11, 2025: Young Innovators Salon
I presented at the Peking University Alumni Association of Southern California’s Education Salon Series Forum at University of California, Irvine. Through sharing my experience at the lab as an illustrator, I want to show that anyone can join this journey in advocating for children’s cancer awareness.
December 6, 2025: City of Hope
My presentation at the Education Salon Series Event inspired many to support pediatric cancer in their own ways. A few months later, the Clairina Foundation collaborated with City of Hope and the Chinese University Alumni Association Alliance of Southern California (CUAAASC) to host their annual Walk into City of Hope Event. I spoke to a wider range of audiences once again about my efforts to promote pediatric cancer awareness at City of Hope’s headquarters in Duarte, California.
Through visual communication, complex discoveries can be made more accessible and impactful. Carina is deeply grateful for the opportunity to support researchers in sharing their work with the world while continuing to grow at the intersection of creativity and science.