Riley Choi, BA

Medical Student

I am a rising second-year medical student at Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. I am very excited to work in the Tsai Lab at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles during the summer! I was born and raised in Korea and moved to the U.S. when I was eleven. I received my BA in Biochemistry from Wellesley College in 2022. During college, I worked with Dr. Pai and Dr. Whangbo studying the outcomes of hematopoietic stem cell transplants in patients with genetic immune disorders at Boston Children’s Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. After graduating, I worked as a research assistant in the Bandopadhayay Lab at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute studying genetic and epigenetic mechanisms of resistance in brain tumors, specifically medulloblastoma and glioblastoma. At UPenn, I am involved in a clinical research project studying the risk of a second breast cancer in patients with atypical lobular hyperplasia and an invasive primary breast cancer. 

Research interests: Based on my prior experiences, I am interested in understanding the mechanisms of cancer to discover novel and specific therapies. I am also interested in exploring clinical ethics and incorporating palliative care into medical education. 

Favorite food: I love a good, warm noodle soup—pho, ramen, kalguksu. 

Beverage of choice and protocol for preparation: Iced latte—2 Nespresso shots, about 1 cup of regular or soy milk, and ice. I sometime add a little bit of vanilla or hazelnut syrup as well! 

Favorite lab technique: Western blot, only because I unintentionally have made some questionable art with it. I also enjoy neurosphere cell cultures! 

Hobbies: I enjoy running and play badminton regularly with my friends. I am always searching for cute cafes, bakeries, and brunch places! I also enjoy watching Netflix documentaries and movies.