PHDR Staff Spotlight, Hayley Wong

Where did you grow up?

I am a first-generation college student, studying Medical Laboratory Sciences. I am a senior and intend to graduate in the fall of 2025, once my clinical rotations are complete. I grew up in Hong Kong and moved to Seattle in 2021. After living in Seattle for two years, I transferred to the University of Minnesota in 2023. I have close friends and family in Seattle, so I’m considering moving back, but I’m open to seeing what the future holds.

My mom lives in Hong Kong with our cat named Ball-Ball. It means marbles in Cantonese.

Why did you pursue your current degree?

I have a bold interest in health and see myself working behind the scenes in healthcare. I have always wanted to help others at a young age. I consider Medical Laboratory Sciences as one of the backbones of healthcare. It means assisting physicians in supporting patient needs. It is important to acknowledge that this is a specialized profession. It requires extensive training and a commitment to learning. The field of medical laboratory sciences is not often recognized and deserves more credit and attention. For this reason, I want to be an advocate for fellow professionals in my field.

“Senioritis” is kicking in so I look forward to completing my undergraduate program. Afterward, I want to work in a lab setting, either in research or a mass lab setting. I’m interested in specializing in blood banking and am thankful for the experiences I’ve gained working for PHDR. This includes supporting literature reviews, providing support to faculty, helping with M-ASCEND and the T32 Cancer Disparities Training Program, and supporting communications. I am considering attending graduate school, but my next step is gaining more experience.

What parts of the PHDR mission/value resonate with you?

I love that PHDR commits to social justice and racial equity, it resonates with me as a person of color and reflects my experiences as an international student. I am dedicated to supporting the experiences and well-being of international students. In the past, I’ve worked on initiatives to create a community for international students through my church outreach. While I’ve taken a step back to focus on finishing my senior year, this remains very important to me.

Moving to a new country for school can be isolating and overwhelming, and international students often navigate complex dual identities. I want to help them integrate into a new culture while also preserving their unique identities. I believe PHDR does an excellent job of validating and acknowledging diverse experiences, which I am passionate about.

What are your interests outside of work?

I look forward to getting my Medical Laboratory Scientist license and beginning my professional career after graduation. I am excited to do more work supporting and adding value to the community. Otherwise, I love exploring new cafes, either to study or socialize. My favorite cafe was Santo Coffee Co., in Seattle, Washington. I liked the environment and it was a great coworking space.

I also enjoy playing musical instruments. Ever since I was a kid, it has always been a fascination of mine. I recently taught myself to play the Cajon, it is a box-shaped percussion instrument originally from Peru. I play the clarinet and keyboard and am a part of the UMN Orchestra.