Clarice Xu ’23 currently works as a research associate in a neurodegeneration laboratory at the University of Pennsylvania, where she studies disorders like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia.
Xu’s thesis work at Haverford kindled her passion for biology research, particularly in neuroscience. Her prior experience in a pediatric epilepsy lab inspired her current path. As she envisions her medical career, Xu hopes to pursue neurology while still having an active role in research.
She says of her courses at Haverford, “I really enjoyed the biology elective courses I took especially the neurobiology course because it is really relevant to my current research. I also enjoyed medical anthropology and understanding various perspectives of medicine.”
Xu credits all of the biology professors at Haverford as a source of unwavering support. “My off-campus thesis mentor Eric Marsh, who is a physician-scientist, also played a significant role in my being interested in the research/medical dual avenue,” she says.
Her summer internship at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia during her junior year, which extended into her senior thesis, was crucial to her success in the lab and her current job. “I also have been working part-time as an EMT in Delaware County since my sophomore year, which has been really rewarding and confirmed my interest in medicine,” Xu says.
Her message for her fellow graduates is one of encouragement: “Pursue something you are really passionate about!”
“Where They’re Headed” is a blog series chronicling the post-collegiate plans of recent Haverford graduates.