October 2021 | TRP

In September 2021, we held our Fall orientation, complete with hands-on activities in an engaging virtual format. Throughout the sessions, our new batch of translational researchers had a chance to engage with the faculty, the TPR community, and their peers. Providing a balance of both academic and social integration, our online orientation was designed to help familiarize students with the program.

We spoke to a few students about orientation week to better understand how helpful these virtual events were in giving them the best possible start to their TRP experience. This fireside chat features Geil Astorga, who uses communication and multimedia strategies to bridge the gap between knowledge and practice.

Geil’s academic path is a testament to the diverse backgrounds that the TRP welcomes and caters to. Having completed her undergraduate studies in Arts, she was apprehensive about joining this program but the orientation abated her doubts. “I know now that I’m not alone in this journey because now I know my diverse experiences, my ideas, and my voice are valued.”

She aims to apply what she will learn at the TRP to improve research partnerships for patients and families, increase research impact, and ensure that future research projects are relevant to patient needs.

Check out this fireside chat to learn more about Geil, her aspirations, why she chose the TRP, and how she hopes to improve patient care.