Dr. Katie L.

Before attending medical school, Dr. Lam graduated summa cum laude from the University of California, Los Angeles, with a BS in microbiology, immunology, and molecular genetics. She conducted research with the Pacific Heart, Lung & Blood Institute and the California NanoSystems Institute and gained clinical experience as a dermatology medical assistant and physical therapy aide. Alongside her studies and work, she volunteered at local federally qualified health centers, community health fairs, and her church, serving underserved communities in Los Angeles.

During medical school, Dr. Lam mentored local high school and undergraduate students interested in careers in medicine through several organizations. She also served as a Keck admissions interviewer, meeting with prospective students as part of the school's interview process. Dr. Lam received the Saban Scholar Award through the Saban Summer Research Fellowship and the Helen Crowley Medical Scholarship. She also co-authored a review article on liver-targeting nanoplatforms for the induction of immune tolerance, published in Nanomaterials.

As the first person in her family to go into medicine, Dr. Lam understands how it feels to navigate the daunting journey of applying to medical school. She feels she was fortunate to have mentors who gave her tips for building a strong application, leading to acceptances at multiple medical schools. Now that Dr. Lam is on the other side, she has enjoyed sharing her own experiences with applicants, and aims to pass along the wisdom and advice she was once a grateful recipient of. 

Dr. Lam is dedicated to providing the organization and support that students need by clearly laying out different steps and timeframes for completing them. At the same time, she understands that students are busy with competing commitments, and she is dedicated to working with each student to set realistic goals and make sure that they do not feel overwhelmed in the process of strengthening their application. She is passionate about meeting students where they are at to help them succeed.