Kristine Ivy Maclinao

Your Background?

I was not the most active student in high school. I would literally go to all my classes, work, then go home. I made a commitment to myself that when I get to university, I will be more involved on campus. First week of school, I visited almost all the booths at the quad and the Science library. Looking back, I know I wouldn’t be who I am as a student today without all the experiences, knowledge and perspective I gained through volunteering.

The transition from high school to university was a little rough for me. I struggled through my first semester. There were a lot of things that used to work for me when I was studying for Chem40s but wasn’t time-efficient nor as effective in my CHEM1300 course. I thought it was just me but I realized a lot of first years go through this. This is why I’m passionate in joining high school outreaches such as the Let’s Talk Science (LTS) High School Symposium, High School summer camp, the volunteer opportunities SSA provide during orientation week, and more. This enables me to give advice to future university students through the experiences I had in hopes that it may help them as well.

Advice on volunteering

Find out what you love doing or what skills you want to improve on and I’m sure there are a ton of opportunities for you! As a student, I got more fascinated and excited about Science through some professors I looked up to who were crazy passionate about their fields. I love that through the LTS program, I get to give back and in return, show younger students that Science can actually be fun and that they don’t have to be intimidated by it. Moreover, for them to be able to grasp the importance and usefulness of Science in their everyday lives regardless of what careers they are thinking of pursuing in the future. You also get to meet a lot of people and make friendships along the way which is an awesome bonus!!

Why Genetics?

The topic of gene expression (its role in understanding complex diseases and its use in various research) is SO interesting. My Cell Biology professor sparked this interest in me and after taking Microbial Genetics the following semester, I just knew I wanted to do my major in Genetics.

What was your minor?

I am doing a double minor in Chemistry and Microbiology

Other interests

At the university, I am a part of Let’s Talk Science, Undergraduate Leaders in Healthcare, St. John Ambulance, Friends of Médecins sans Frontières (MSF) and Biology Undergraduate Students’ Association (BUGS). Outside of campus, I also volunteer at the Health Sciences Centre and our church community at
International Worship Centre.

Future aspirations?

To be honest, I’m still trying to figure this one out but I know I want to go into the field of Health Sciences.