BruinLife
  • Home
  • The Blog
  • BruinLife Store
    • Yearbooks
    • Dedications
    • T-shirts
  • Graduates/Seniors
    • About UCLA Grad Portraits
    • BruinLife Photo Studio
      • Book Your Appointment Now
        • Undergraduate Portrait Appointment
        • Graduate Portrait Appointment
      • Preparing for your Portrait Sitting
      • Online Proofs
    • Senior Highlights
  • About
    • Staff
    • Contact Us
  • My Account
  • Subscribe
Top Posts
The 12 Most Influential UCLA Athletes of the...
Staying Safe During the Holidays
Welcoming Nike and Jordan Brand to Westwood
Diane Zhao: 2020 UCLA Senior of the Year
Arsal Zaheer: 2020 UCLA Senior of the Year
Nathan Mallipeddi: 2020 UCLA Senior of the Year
Evan Lovell: 2020 UCLA Senior of the Year...
Annie Kokoyan: 2020 UCLA Senior of the Year...
UCLA men’s basketball falls to USC in final...
Koreatown: and the Impact of Cultural Displacement
BruinLife
  • Home
  • The Blog
  • BruinLife Store
    • Yearbooks
    • Dedications
    • T-shirts
  • Graduates/Seniors
    • About UCLA Grad Portraits
    • BruinLife Photo Studio
      • Book Your Appointment Now
        • Undergraduate Portrait Appointment
        • Graduate Portrait Appointment
      • Preparing for your Portrait Sitting
      • Online Proofs
    • Senior Highlights
  • About
    • Staff
    • Contact Us
  • My Account
  • Subscribe
0
Author

Anthony Robert

Anthony Robert

2020 UCLA Senior of the Year

Diane Zhao: 2020 UCLA Senior of the Year

by Anthony Robert November 12, 2020
written by Anthony Robert
  • Photographed by Ariana Fadel
  • Photographed by Ariana Fadel
  • Photographed by Ariana Fadel
  • Photographed by Ariana Fadel
  • Photographed by Ariana Fadel
  • Photographed by Ariana Fadel
  • Photographed by Ariana Fadel
  • Photographed by Ariana Fadel
  • Photographed by Ariana Fadel
  • Photographed by Ariana Fadel

Coming from a small town in China, Diane Zhao never thought that she would eventually become a student at one of the most prestigious public universities in the United States. Upon beginning her studies at UCLA, Zhao had to learn English, a “seemingly impossible task,” in addition to facing the same challenges other students do in getting adjusted to the college experience.

“I entered UCLA with countless worries and hopes for the next four years ahead. Even as someone who moved around different continents growing up, a new school with numerous uncertainties was still intimidating. I didn’t know what friendships I’d experience, knowledge I’d gain, memories I’d make,” Zhao recalled. 

However, impressed by the campus and the university as an institution, Zhao was ready to clear such barriers, describing her initial perception of UCLA as being “new and exciting; the possibilities seemed endless,” and was thrilled at the prospect of being taught by “renowned professors and incredible research opportunities.”

Zhao’s choice of a career, specifically focusing on cancer research, was deeply personal. In her sophomore year, Zhao’s grandfather, whom she describes as “the closest thing I had to a father,” got diagnosed with stage-four pancreatic cancer, in addition to “heartbreaking battles with the condition” other family members had experienced. She then began pursuing her interest by joining the Asian Pacific Health Corps (APHC), feeling that her experience in foreign languages and dealing with other cultures made her suitable for the organization. Zhao’s efforts and passion were quickly noticed by the APHC, and she soon became the only freshman in the organization to assume a position as a director, one she would keep for the next three years. Throughout her time on campus, Zhao would continue her participation in on-campus organizations, taking leadership roles in Collaboration in Undergraduate Enrichment and the International Circle of Genetics Studies. Zhao credits her time in these organizations as leading her “to become stronger and more determined in my efforts to achieve my goals.” Throughout her time at UCLA, Zhao additionally maintained a formidable academic record, earning a GPA of 3.944.

Despite her successes on campus, such efforts were not without difficulties. “During my freshman year, I got rejected from countless clubs and felt myself lose hope of accessing the resources that I craved but didn’t have in high school,” Zhao recalls, and additionally cites how annual family visits to China and Zimbabwe prevented her from taking important research opportunities. “Through all the rejections I received, there were definitely times when I felt like I did not belong here at the number one public university in the U.S.,” she said. 

Zhao’s academic and career progress were further threatened with the tragedy of a close friend’s suicide attempt in winter quarter of her senior year, requiring her to spend over a month caring for her friend in the hospital. However, this personal tragedy only further confirmed the importance of her work, not only in scientific research, but in caring for patients directly. “I prepared meals for her, contacted her professors, and visited her for hours everyday while completing all my club and work responsibilities. I did not have a cure for her mental illness, but I could provide her compassion and care to help heal the wounds on her heart,” adding that the experience gave her a “newfound confidence and strength within that helped me make important decisions and say the right words.” These monumental responsibilities were not to deter Zhou’s success; by the end of winter quarter, she had received a 4.0 GPA with a twenty-unit course load.

For newer Bruins, Zhao offers some key advice on succeeding as a student. “Wherever you are heading in the next four years, do not forget the True Bruin values of integrity, excellence, accountability, respect, and service. As a first generation immigrant, it took more than hard work for me to get to where I am today—it also took luck. I hope that every one of you, no matter what background you came from, can give back to underserved communities as much as possible, for not everyone had the luck that you had to get this far.  I experienced professional failure, personal loss, and more pain than I could bear at times. However, UCLA not only helped me mature as a person, but it also provided me with a group of peers and mentors who held up the sky for me when I needed support. You are worthy of being a Bruin. You are here because you deserve it, and no matter what challenges are ahead of you, do not forget who you are.” 

November 12, 2020 0 comment
1 FacebookTwitterEmail

Like Us On Facebook

Facebook Pagelike Widget

Ad:

Ad:




bruinlife

Life is good, but Bruin Life is better.
www.bruinlife.com

UCLA BruinLife
"I love plants. One day I hope to have a space fil "I love plants. One day I hope to have a space filled with house plants and a backyard filled with flowers."
Claudia Bernaga, 3rd year, English Major
Photo by Naomi Holmes
"Today I went to Covel and got M&M’s… all the "Today I went to Covel and got M&M’s… all the managers at Covel know me because I always get M&M’s. "
Alex Lewis, 2nd Year Political Science and Cognitive Science Double Major
Photo by Ariana Fadel
”I’m more likely to cry when I hear other peop ”I’m more likely to cry when I hear other people’s stories and I rarely cry for myself.” Nancy Zhang, 1st year, Computer Sciene Major. 
Photo by Catherine Wang
"I love poetry" Yasmin Siyad, 1st year transfer, P "I love poetry"
Yasmin Siyad, 1st year transfer, Psychology major
Photo by Catherine Wang
“I'm away from home, but at the same time very c “I'm away from home, but at the same time very close. This hot breeze reminds me of summer nights where I would play guitar and sing with my brother. The start of spring motivates me to go out, have fun, and take care of myself; it gets me excited for summer.

I started taking photos during my junior year of high school, which was one of my worst years. Photography helped me in my hardest moments because I instantly found my surroundings more beautiful. Honestly, I never found the sky to be beautiful until I started taking pictures. It sort of popped out of nowhere and completely changed that year around and who I am now." Elizabeth Pinos, 3rd year, Psychology
Photo by Anna Yang
“One time Lady Gaga threw her jacket at me.” M “One time Lady Gaga threw her jacket at me.” Maria Roman, 3rd year, American Literature and Culture Major
Photo by Catherine Wang
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Email
Footer Logo
  • Home
  • The Blog
  • BruinLife Store
    • Yearbooks
    • Dedications
    • T-shirts
  • Graduates/Seniors
    • About UCLA Grad Portraits
    • BruinLife Photo Studio
      • Book Your Appointment Now
        • Undergraduate Portrait Appointment
        • Graduate Portrait Appointment
      • Preparing for your Portrait Sitting
      • Online Proofs
    • Senior Highlights
  • About
    • Staff
    • Contact Us
  • My Account
  • Subscribe

©2019 - UCLA STUDENT MEDIA