Melissa Wong

mewong@uw.edu

EDUCATION
University of Washington School of Medicine (UWSOM), Seattle, WA Expected 06/2020
Doctor of Medicine
University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Bachelor of Science, Biochemistry / Biology (Physiology) 09/2010-09/2015
Cum Laude, Interdisciplinary Honors

RESEARCH
Researcher, Department of General Surgery 5/2017-Present
Advisor, Patrick Javid, MD, Seattle Children’s Hospital, Seattle, WA
 Project: Variation in hospital cost for gastroschisis closure techniques
Researcher, Department of Neurology 7/2016-Present
Advisor, Xiuhua Bozarth, MD, PhD, Seattle Children’s Hospital, Seattle, WA
 Project: Research on focal cortical dysplasia and intractable epilepsy
Lab Technician, Department of Gastroenterology 2011-2016
Advisor, Teresa Brentnall, MD, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
 Project: Targeting glutamine metabolism to sensitize chemo-resistant pancreatic cancer cells
Evolutionary Biology Peer TA, Department of Biology 09/2014-12/2014
Professor, Ben Kerr, PhD, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
 Prepare and set-up materials for weekly labs; perform weekend culture transfer for student’s
antibiotic resistance lab; answer questions and concerns from students; mentor students during
weekly lab on sterile technique procedures
Researcher, Department of Nursing 09/2013
Professor, Eunjung Kim, PhD, ANRP, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
 Conduct on-site field research in Seoul, South Korea on ingredients in Korean cosmetics and its
biological effect in the human body. Research presented to class.
Researcher, Department of Asian Languages & Literature 03/2012-06/2012
Advisor, Ted Mack, PhD
 Conduct on-site research in various regions of Shikoku, Japan on the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage.
Travelled 750-miles to 88 major temples scattered across Shikoku. Website created with over 30,000
readers.

HONORS AND AWARDS

Medical Student Research Training Program Grant, Seattle, WA 2017
 Financial award for medical students interested in clinical research for the summer
Elvins Medical School Scholarship, Seattle, WA 2016-2017
 Financial award for community involvement and interest in obstetrics and gynecology
Donnie Chin Memorial Scholarship, Seattle, WA 2016
 Financial award for 15+ years of community serve and involvement in the Asian Pacific Islander
community and International District Chinatown
IE3 Global Internship Scholarship, Seattle, WA 2015
  Study abroad financial award for academic achievement and global involvement
E. Nannette Strahl and Bernice Strahl Caverly Scholarship 2014
 Financial award for academic achievement and community involvement
Washington State Opportunities Scholarship 2012-2014
 Financial award for academic achievement and community involvement
Educational Opportunity Program Endowed Scholarship 2013
 Merit Recipient
University of Washington Faculty Auxiliary Scholarship 2012
 Financial award for academic achievement and community involvement
Global Opportunities Scholarship 2012
 Study abroad financial award for academic achievement and global involvement
Reach Scholars Scholarship 2010
 Financial award for academic achievement and community involvement
Garfield High School Alumni Scholarship 2010
 Financial award for academic achievement and community involvement

LEADERSHIP AND VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE

Staff, International District Emergency Center 1998-Present
Seattle, WA
 Volunteer in the first aid station during local fairs, auctions and parades with 10,000+ attendees
across Washington state.
Co-President, Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association (APAMSA) 2016-2018
University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA
 Coordinate and plan events for medical students and staff of the University of Washington School of
Medicine on topics that address the unique helaht challenges of Asian and Pacific Islander American
communities.
 Represent the University of Washington chapter of APAMSA in regional and national conferences.
Co-President, Pathology Interest Group 2016-2018
University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA
 Expand awareness of the diverse career opportunities in the field of pathology through coordinating
and planning events including pathology panels, interactive gross anatomy sessions with pathology
faculty and residents, and experience scope training sessions on histology.
Class Representative / Pathology Block Leader 2016-2018
 Represent the UWSOM MS1 class in providing continuous student input and feedback to the faculty
and curriculum committee for the pathology portion of the curriculum.
Co-President, Pediatric Interest Group 2016-2018
University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA
 Coordinate pediatric-related events including guest panels and interactive sessions with local
pediatrician and residents for UWSOM.
Webmaster, Medical Humanities and Narrative Medicine Interest Group 2016-2017
University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA
 Design a platform in which students, provider, and patients can share their experiences with
healthcare and illness through stories, artwork, poetry, and photography with the greater community.
Educator, Tar Wars 2016-2017
University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA
  Educate fourth and fifth-grade students about short-term health benefits and image-based
consequences of tobacco use and provide tools for students to make a positive decision regarding
their health and promote personal responsibility for their well-being.
Mock Interviewer and Mentor, AFERM 2016-2017
University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA
 Provide mock interviews for disadvantaged applicants and mentor pre-medical students from the
Minority Association of Pre-Health Students at the University of Washington.
Child Life Volunteer, Seattle Children’s Hospital 2012-2017
Seattle Children’s, Seattle, WA
 Coordinate and lead fun, supportive, and safe activities and entertainment in the hospital playroom
and patient rooms for patients and families.
Cabin Counselor, Stanley Stamm Summer Camp 2016, 2017
Seattle Children’s, Seattle, WA
 Responsible for around the clock direct care of eight children with chronic medical conditions
including daily hygiene, medical support, meal periods, and daily activities and entertainment during
Stanley Stamm Summer Camp for one week.
Volunteer, Human Rights Society 2015-2016
Seattle, WA
 Cook, feed, and serve dinner to over 100 clients once per month
Planetarium Tour Guide, Dept. of Astronomy 2013-2014
University of Washington, Seattle, WA
 Design and conduct presentations at the UW planetarium to K-12 and college students and outreach
to Seattle Public Schools about astronomy with the UW mobile planetarium.
Study Abroad Ambassador, University of Washington Study Abroad 2014
University of Washington, Seattle, WA
 Outreach and promote study abroad options for UW students through class presentations and
represent the UW study abroad office in fairs and freshman orientations.

INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
Observer, Queen Mary Hospital 2017
Hong Kong University Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, Hong Kong
 Observe gastroenterologist in outpatient clinic and inpatient settings, diagnostic procedures
(endoscopy, colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy), and attend GI-radiology weekly conferences.
Veterinarian Intern, Esther Honey Foundation 2015
Rarotonga, Cook Islands
 Assisted in surgeries by pre-medicating and monitoring animals under general anesthesia; feed and
medicate 40-70 patients at least twice per day, and handle on-call emergency rescues for animals
around the island 24/7.
Observer, Taishan Community Hospital 2012
Taishan, China
 Observe physicians and nurses at Taishan community Hospital and compare healthcare systems
between rural China, urban China, and the United States

EMPLOYMENT
Family Service Coordinator, Seattle Children’s Hospital, Seattle, WA 10/2015-Present
  Coordinate and schedule multiple complex clinical and surgical appointments for patient and families
in Seattle, Bellevue, Everett, Federal Way clinic sites using Epic and Cerner.
 Act as a liaison for patient, family, and provider in providing updated health, financial, family, and
other issues that may hinder the patient’s quality of care in the hospital.
Program Intern, Seattle Children’s Hospital 2010, 2014
 Represent Seattle Children’s and Safe Kids South King County in community events on health and
safety and communicate with families about the importance of child safety and prevention through
community health fairs and events
Tutor, University of Washington Instructional Center 2013-2014
 Tutor college students in chemistry, organic chemistry, and biology

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
American Medical Association 2016-Present
The National Society of Collegiate Scholars 2010-Present

AWARDS
University of Washington School of Medicine Service Award 2017
10+ Year of Service, IDEC 2008
University of Washington Deans List 2010-2015

SKILLS AND INTERESTS

 Travel: Studied abroad in Japan, China, Korea, and the Cook Islands; travelled to Sweden, United
Kingdom, Spain, Italy, Ireland, and New Zealand
 Language: Proficient in oral Chinese (Cantonese)

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Peer-Reviewed Publication:
Wong M, Oron A, Stanford S, Stevens J, Crowell C, Javid P. 2018. Variation in hospital cost for gastroschisis
closure techniques. Journal of Investigative Medicine.
Wong M, Paschal C, Bozarth, X. 2018. Co-existence of Angelman syndrome and Klinefelter syndrome: a case
report. Journal of Pediatric Neurology.
Chen R, Lai L, Sullivan Y, Wong M, Wang L, Riddell J, Jung L, Pillarisetty V, Brentnall T, Pan S. Ru Chen. 2017.
Disrupting glutamine metabolic pathways to sensitize gemcitabine-resistant pancreatic cancer. Scientific
Reports.

Oral Presentation:
Wong M, Oron A, Stanford S, Stevens J, Crowell C, Javid P. Variation in hospital cost for gastroschisis closure
techniques. Western Medical Research Conference, 2018.

Poster Presentation:
Wong M, Oron A, Stanford S, Stevens J, Crowell C, Javid P. Variation in hospital cost for gastroschisis closure
techniques. University of Washington Medical Student Research Symposium, 2017.