Deng Yunxi is a student of UIC's Class of 2021 Applied Psychology Programme, and she was accepted by a programme initiated by the China Scholarship Council, supporting her to go to the King's College London (KCL) and pursue her doctoral degree in its Basic and Clinical Neuroscience department.
Deng Yunxi
Looking back at the road to where she was standing, Deng said it was probably because of love and respect for life that encouraged her to switch from psychology to clinical neuroscience research despite all the hurdles.
The field of medical-related research is vast. Deng knew that she had to find her way and set her goal. Fortunately, the courses provided by UIC's Applied Psychology Programme solved the problem. She managed to study the physiological mechanisms of depression and the effects of different retirement models on the well-being of older adults, and finally located her interest in clinical neuroscience research.
Deng (back row, first from left) with teachers and students from King's College London
Deng did not limit her study area inside the campus. She went to Hong Kong Baptist University to study Chinese medicine with a number of clinicians when participating in UIC's summer programme, and interned at the Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Centre and the St Thomas' Hospital to consolidate her theoretical knowledge in practice.
Deng interns at the St Thomas' Hospital
The ability to develop interdisciplinary research skills was also indispensable for Deng's academic growth. She had got a lot of training thanks to UIC's liberal arts education, exposing her to a wide range of other disciplines, including business and humanities, through the programmes provided by the School of General Education.
With hard work and an excellent profile, she won scholarships at UIC for two consecutive years and continued her academic journey in neuroscience in her master's and doctoral studies.
When regarding her future, Deng said that she hoped to contribute something practical and meaningful to society and the disadvantaged group. She had carried such a notion since high school when taking part in volunteer activities, and joined the United Innovation Charity Club at UIC to offer help to people, including children of migrant workers and the disabled.
Deng participates in charitable activities when studying at UIC
"Every life deserves respect," said Deng. She hoped she could make herself an example and attract more practitioners in the medical field to popularise science, making the public more concerned about the survival of the disadvantaged of society.
From MPRO
Reporter: Cecilia Yu
Photos provided by the interviewee
Editor: Deen He
