Research Assistant Spotlight: Amanda Miao

Amanda Miao is an undergraduate student at Emory University majoring in Biology.  As a senior, she reflects on the rewarding experiences gained over the past two years at the Fani Lab. “I have learned the importance of a great support system, and I am so grateful to be working with such supportive, driven, and compassionate team members,” says Amanda. 

She became interested in trauma-related research through her courses at Emory and her experiences with Crisis Text Line, where she witnessed the effects of racism and the many ways it manifests in our society, causing acute or sustained trauma in many individuals. 

“I initially joined this lab because I wanted to explore clinical research. I’ve always loved interacting with people and wanted to learn more about their stories. This lab has taught me a lot about resilience and empathy. Through my interactions with participants, I’ve learned how to navigate difficult conversations and make a meaningful impact with the work that I do.”

Amanda is also passionate about increasing access to culturally competent primary care among marginalized communities. Over the past summer, she interned at a community health center, where she learned about the pressing needs of the Asian-American communities in lower Manhattan. Outside of school, she enjoys volunteering with organizations such as City Harvest, Hands On Atlanta, and Grady’s Food as Medicine program, addressing chronic disease and food insecurity among patients and the community. In the future, Amanda hopes to take a gap year to further explore her interests in providing equitable access to healthcare and research the socioeconomic determinants of health. Eventually, she hopes to attend medical school and become a primary care physician so she can give back to the communities in which she grew up.