About Me

Class of 2011

I am a Malaysian who moved to Canada to pursue my education in 2008. I recently graduated from Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario with a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Psychology, and am now residing in Vancouver, British Columbia, where I work full-time in the Department of Psychiatry as a research assistant/technician. I came to Canada on a full-tuition scholarship from Trent University valued at about CAN$65 000 over 4 years. The experience has been amazing, and I’m very blessed to have been given the opportunity.

Me and Chee Keong...

I volunteer extensively with children and the elderly, mostly in hospitals and community settings. The places I’ve volunteered in include a full-time gap year in Ipoh Hospital (now Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun) where I spent my time in three departments: Pediatric (General, Neonatal, Rehabilitation and Surgical), Rehabilitation (General, Pediatric), and Palliative Care, two part-time years in the Pediatric Rehabilitation Department in the same hospital, two years with the Riding for the Disabled (RDA) program, two years with Peterborough Regional Health Centre’s Emergency Department, three years with Canadian Mental Health Association’s Kids on the Block puppet troupe (for feature write-up, click here), two years with Kinark Child and Family Services’ Respite program, and three years with the Disability Services Office in Trent University. I have also volunteered six months at the Ipoh Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA).

Clockwise from left: Heather, Eddie, Jennifer, me, Melody, and Zac. Together (and many more) we make up Kids on the Block!

In terms of future education plans, I hope to later pursue an MD/Ph.D, with a specialization in Developmental Psychology or a Ph.D in Clinical Child Psychology (sans MD). I have therefore opted to work for a few years to help me make up my mind and to gain more clinical and research experience. It will definitely be worthwhile and I’m keeping an open mind. I am currently co-authoring two research manuscripts with a former professor who has been an inspirational mentor for the past three years.

Enjoying chicken in France!

During my free time, I enjoy eating (yum, yum!), reading, watching tv-shows that do not require many neurons to process, and walking. I enjoy musicals, theatre and dance, traveling, and enjoy massages.

I love shoes (my father thanks the stars I wasn’t born a millipede), bags and chocolate, collect plush toys, and love the colour purple. I also love animals, and have lived with them almost all my childhood. 

Me and Hazel, my family Dachshund...

I am a Baha’i. My life has been guided by the principles of the Baha’i Faith (www.bahai.org) and I am thankful that I have had the opportunity to worship and pray to my highest potential by the many people who are dear to me. And one of the most important people to me is my family.