[Editor’s Note: ZHANG Yi, an undergraduate of BA Denian Medical Class at Chu Kochen Honors College, is one of the recipients of the CKC Scholarship, the highest scholarship at Zhejiang University. Determined, devoted, and diligent, Zhang steps on the way to a clinical scientist with her commitment to tackling the rare diseases. In this feature story, we will learn more about her growth trajectory.] 

Determination throughout

All things are possible for those with unflagging determination, and Zhang Yi’s medical study eloquently illustrates the point. Born and raised in a medical family, Zhang has realized the sanctity of the doctor since her childhood, which sparkled her aspiration to dive into clinical medicine. In pursuit of the dream, she gave up the chance of guaranteed admission into ZJU’s School of International Studies and converted to medical science via college entrance exam. “Doctors are honorable,” said Zhang with great respect. “They cure diseases, save lives, and promote the welfare of mankind, that’s why I chose it.”

Admitted to study in BA Denian Medical Class, Zhang launched forth into the training of “4+4”: four years in non-medical undergraduate preparation and four in doctoral training. To lay a solid theoretical foundation for an eight-year study, she chose the major of Biological Science and wove it into her medical career. “As a fundamental discipline, biological science shares the same ground with the medicine, so I can make full preparation and hone my research ability.”

Diligence matters

Recalling the past studying experience, Zhang attributed her progress to the diligent exploration of all possibilities. ZJU, a reservoir of talents, has always provided students with unlimited resources which granted Zhang many opportunities to strike interdisciplinary conversations with fellow students from different majors.

Zhang Yi’s participation in an exchange program at abroad

Diligence also found expression in her arduous efforts to refine language skills. Apart from majoring in biological science, Zhang also minors in English. “For me, English reading is essential to grasp some cutting-edge findings in the international academics, and speaking and writing do matter in presenting ZJU’s research results outwards.”

Devotion as the backbone

Success is built upon trials and tribulations. For Zhang Yi, the backbone to transcend them is her unswerving devotion. Perplexed when first joining in the lab, Zhang devoted herself to academic papers and constant experiments. With the guidance of Prof. SUN Qiming and the senior students, Zhang has prepared herself a qualified researcher as well as a devoted scientist. Instructed by the professors, she set up her mind to study on Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), not only for the sake of research itself, but also for the patients suffering from the incurable diseases.

“I didn’t know about these rare diseases until entering the lab. These patients are in a situation where the pathogenesis is unknown and treatment unavailable,” said Zhang with a strong sense of commitment. She called for more attention to the patients with rare diseases. “Every patient should be seen. That requires us to devote more energy to address those rare diseases.”

In her spare time, Zhang also volunteered in the hospital to care for the patients. “Talk with them, think in their position, I get to know more about their concerns. Through our interactions, I’ve also collected much experience for my future work.”

Zhang’s voluntary work at hospital

Zhang’s unremitting endeavors and heartfelt sympathy earned her not only a clearer career plan to hammer away at rare diseases, but also many significant research outcomes. She published a paper in Cells in 2021 as a co-first author, contributing her own efforts to the study of ALS pathogenesis.

Standing on the threshold of her doctoral progress, Zhang chose Prof. WU Zhiying as her tutor, whose insistence on tackling rare diseases and dedication to the patients has reinforced her determination to chase the dream. “Studying medicine is not only a path for individuals to achieve their goals, but also a process to strengthen social responsibility.” As a senior in her undergraduate, Zhang may encounter many obstacles on her future way of study, but with determination, diligence and devotion, Zhang will surely make steady progress and realize her dream.

Source:Global Communications,Zhejiang University