42 Research Reflection by Jenna Junge

Faculty Mentor: Reena Tam (Pediatrics, University of Utah)

I will complete the Biology BS program at the University of Utah in Spring of 2025. Upon completion of my undergraduate degree, I will apply to Medical School to pursue my lifelong career goal of becoming a doctor centered in health equity. While volunteering at the University of Utah Emergency Department, I have had many experiences with refugee patients and seen first hand the challenges with language and cultural differences that impact their treatment. As I continue with my undergraduate studies, I have begun to learn the importance of research in stimulating new ideas and contributing to the world of education as a whole.

With this in mind, I was especially motivated to find a study that inspired my growing desire to learn and involved inventive techniques to improve comprehensive, culturally sensitive healthcare. This specific research project, directed by Stuti Das and Reena Tam, aligns with my goals of encouraging an inclusive, well-educated, and innovative environment in my future endeavors in medicine. With the involvement of qualitative data analysis based upon real-life conversation, this project appropriately supports my undergraduate education by exposing me to new research methodologies, and I believe will contribute greatly to my cultural conscientiousness in a healthcare setting.