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About Me

As a driven pre-medical student with a passion for vision care and patient well-being, I am committed to leveraging my academic foundation and practical experiences to pursue a career in optometry.

Truthfully, my journey into optometry wasn't anything grand, but a simple suggestion by my high school teacher to explore the field. Through internships and shadowing opportunities, I have gained firsthand insights into the day-to-day responsibilities of optometrists and opticians. This learning experience honed my clinical skills and reinforced my belief in the importance of compassionate patient care, sparking my desire to enhance an individual's vision and overall quality of life.

As I work towards optometry school, I am eager to explore research opportunities that bridge the gap between cutting-edge vision science and clinical practice. I am also seeking opportunities to connect with professionals in the optometry field to gain further insights and advice as I navigate this exciting career path. Feel free to reach out at averyliu@usc.edu!

Education

University of Southern California Aug 2023 - May 2027

Bachelor of Science - BS, Biology/Biological Sciences, General

Activities and Societies: Medical Educational Missions and Outreach (MEMO), Creative Labs SC, Science-Based Academic Tournaments at USC, Chinese American Student Association

Glen A. Wilson High School Aug 2019 - May 2023

High School Diploma

Activities and Societies: Biomedical Pathway Completer; Computer Science Pathway Completer; IB Certificate Student; HOSA - Future Health Professionals; Science Olympiad; FBLA; Girls Tennis

Work Experience

The Chung Laboratory Feb 2024 - Present

Research Assistant

• Prepared and imaged gels, verifying miR-145 micelle stability over course of 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, 3 month, and 6 months
• Produced over 300 cyrosections of mouse aorta to observe leaflet development for plaque buildups via staining






Innovision Optometry May 2024 - Aug 2024

Optometric Assistant


• Conducted pre-check for 15+ patients daily, included autorefractor measurements, retinal imaging, and eye pressure test
• Utilized lensometer to verify and calibrate lens prescriptions for single vision glasses, conducting accuracy checks for over 40 prescriptions weekly, ensuring precise measurements and quality control in optical fittings
• Managed electronic health records for over 200 patients, filed patient documents, processed insurance authorizations, scheduled appointments, and scanned files, ensuring accurate and efficient office operations




ACI May 2024 - Aug 2024

Administrative Assistant


• Maintained and organized office files and 100 student records to ensure efficient operation
• Managed 50+ calls, emails, and correspondence daily, serving as the primary point of contact for students, parents, and staff
• Resolved students with registration, scheduling, and general inquiries, improving student experience and satisfaction by 20%
• Prepared teaching materials on a weekly basis for distribution to students, supporting educational activities




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Skills

Hard Skills
• HTML
• R Studio
• Cryosectioning
• Bacterial Cell Culture
• Pipetting
• Optometric Experience

Soft Skills
• Customer Service
• Communication
• Organization
• Problem Solving

Tools
• Adobe Illustrator
• Visual Studio Code
• Sublime
• Microsoft Office Suite
• Optometry Devices

Languages
• English
• Cantonese
• Mandarin Chinese



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