Zipeng Li

About
Hey there! I'm Alex, an international student currently in the MD/PhD (MSTP) program at WashU. I know firsthand how overwhelming the prehealth/med journey can be-balancing classes, research, applications, and figuring out life in a new country. When I was an undergrad at WashU (B.A. in Biology, minor in Bioinformatics), I navigated all of that by myself with little help, and I want that to change. I'm here to share what l've learned and help make your path a little smoother & easier!
During my gap years, I worked as a research technician in the Hughes Lab, where I studied how primary cilia regulate pancreatic islet function. I gained hands-on experience with mouse models, advanced imaging, and even developed a MATLAB algorithm for cilia analysis. It was an incredible opportunity to grow as a scientist and solidify my passion for medicine and research.
If you're looking for guidance on pre-med coursework, research opportunities, med school applications, or just want to chat about life as an international student in the U.S., I'd love to help!