Hello everyone! My name is Crystal Ngo Diaz (she/her), and I’m a proud GDB alumna! I completed my degree in three years, graduating in spring 2022. Currently, I’m a first-year physician assistant student at Stanford School of Medicine. 

The GDB major played an integral role in my journey to PA school. It allowed me to explore diverse pathways in the sciences, ultimately leading me to the pre-PA route. My practicum project sparked my passion for research. Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) 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 T1D. I published my abstract with the American Diabetes Association (linked here) and presented 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. This project served as a stepping stone into the diabetes research community, and I later joined a team that published a paper on empowering young adults with T1D through financial and health insurance literacy (linked here). As I move through PA school, I aim to leverage research to address health inequities and promote social justice; my current thesis project focuses on identifying skin reactions to diabetes devices in people of color living with diabetes.

Ultimately, the best aspect of the GDB major is the incredible community. During my time at UC Davis, I served as a member of the Global Perspectives Initiative, working on inclusive curriculum reform focused on three under-addressed themes within the GDB major: cultural humility, lived experiences, and community engagement. I had the privilege of working with over ten like-minded GDB majors and minors, along with our amazing department chair, Dr. David Rizzo. The relationships I built during this time have been a key part of who I am today, and I feel honored to be part of such a supportive, driven, and open-hearted network of individuals.

Thank you for listening to my story! I always love connecting with fellow GDB-ers, so please feel free to message me at crystalndiaz8@gmail.com