Hello everyone! I’m Crystal Ngo Diaz (she/her) and I’m a very proud GDB alumna! I completed my degree in three years in spring 2022 and am an incoming physician assistant student at Point Loma Nazarene University! Reflecting on my time at UC Davis, I am incredibly grateful to my high school self who chose GDB. The major provided me with the flexibility to explore diverse pathways in the sciences and ultimately led me to the pre-PA route. Most importantly, the GDB community has been an invaluable part of my journey. The thrill of meeting another GDB major “in the wild” is truly unmatched, and I feel honored to be part of such a supportive, driven, and open-hearted network of individuals.

Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes just before coming to UC Davis, I was determined to channel my lived experience into my practicum project. Under the mentorship of Dr. Sonal Phatak and Dr. Allison Ong, I completed my practicum project on improving provider-patient relationships in the treatment of young adult type 1 diabetes. I published my abstract with the American Diabetes Association (linked here) and had the privilege of presenting my poster at the ADA 83rd Scientific Sessions in San Diego, the Children with Diabetes Friends for Life conference in Orlando, and the International Society of Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. During my time at UC Davis, I served as a member of the Global Perspectives Initiative, an outreach volunteer and scribe with Sacramento Street Medicine, a board member of the California Youth Empowerment Network (CAYEN), an EMT at the Golden 1 Center, a counselor through the California Youth Crisis Line, and a NextGen Fellow of the College Diabetes Network. If you have any questions about my journey into PA school, please feel free to message me at crystalndiaz8@gmail.com.