Student Spotlight: Jasmin Arabit, Class of 2018
Learn more about the involvements, accomplishments, and aspirations of our outstanding undergraduate students
Why did you decide to major in PharmSci at UCI?
In high school, I was very much interested in the how and why of things. The major combined my love for science and people. I was also pre-pharmacy at the time and thought the major would provide me with a strong background to prepare me for pharmacy school. Also, “pharmaceutical sciences” just sounded really cool, and high school me was into cool things at that time.
What clubs/activities are you involved in at UCI?
I am in the Jafari Lab which focuses on the effects of botanical extracts on aging. The ultimate goal of the group is to add healthy years to human life. I was involved in projects that focused on the effects of a compound on a fruit fly model of Huntington’s disease and a mouse model of diabetes.
I also started PUPS (Peers Under PharmSci) during my junior year. The club provides free tutoring, mentorship training, and networking opportunities for students in the major. I don’t want to brag, but we’re a fun bunch.
I was a peer tutor for Dr. Schriner’s Physiology class for two consecutive years. From this experience, I learned that I love teaching and sharing my knowledge with others.
And finally, I am an active member of Dialogue Society, a club dedicated to studying self success. I immensely enjoy my time in it because of the insightful conversations we have about building our best lives.
What do you find exciting about pharmaceutical sciences today?
I think the advances we are making in the treatment of cancer are astounding. Every day we are getting closer and closer to eradicating this monster of a disease.
What PharmSci faculty member or class is most memorable and why?
Dr. Jafari’s Life 101 class taught me things no other class has: how to take care of myself — like really take care of myself. It focused on many different aspects of health: physical, mental, social, and financial. I think everyone would benefit from taking this class.
What do you hope to do after graduation?
I am taking a gap year or two to prepare for PhD programs in clinical psychology. I think this career path combines the things that I love: science, teaching, and people. I get to do research, share my findings, and also help others. Mental health is a big part of my life and I would like to share what I have to offer to those with mental health problems.
Is there anything else you would like to share?
If I were able to tell my freshman self anything, it would be to not put too much pressure on myself. There is so much of life to live and so many mistakes to be made, and I should be excited for that. I’ve learned to approach life using the scientific method: every endeavor is an experiment. I was pre-pharmacy but after working in a pharmacy for a year, I decided it was not the path for me. Then I turned to medicine but after working in a nursing home for a year, I also found it was not my calling. Now I am pre-PhD and after working in a lab for two years; I am still in love with the work I am doing. Plans change, and that’s totally fine! Life is a beautiful mess that we get to breathe in, bathe in, thrive in. To my fellow PharmSci students, I say enjoy life; you only get one.
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