Alice Feng, a junior double concentrator in MCB and Applied Math, has been awarded the Barry Goldwater Scholarship, a recognition that highlights her exceptional commitment to research and academic excellence. Since her freshman year at Harvard, Feng has been making significant strides in cancer research, integrative medicine, and health disparities.
The Goldwater Scholarship is one of the most prestigious awards in the United States for undergraduate students in the sciences, engineering, and mathematics. It is designed to encourage outstanding students to pursue careers in these fields. This is just the most recent honor Feng has received recently, having been elected to the Phi Beta Kappa honor society in March.
“Receiving the Goldwater Scholarship is incredibly meaningful to me,” Feng said. “It validates the progress I’ve made in my research and motivates me to continue pursuing my goals, including my aspiration to enter an MD-PhD program.”
Feng’s research spans several critical areas. She has been working in Dr. Matthew Meyerson’s lab at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute since her freshman year, focusing on the role of the CMTR2 gene as a tumor suppressor in lung cancer. “We’re trying to understand how the loss of CMTR2 influences lung tumorigenesis,” Feng explained.
In addition to her work in wet labs, Feng is involved in clinical research with Dr. Ting Bao’s team at the Zakim Center for Integrative Therapies at Dana-Farber. Her focus is on integrative medicine, particularly acupuncture’s role in alleviating chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. “Improving the quality of life for cancer patients is crucial,” Feng noted. “Acupuncture can help manage side effects, allowing patients to receive their full treatment.”
Beyond her research, Feng is committed to mentoring and community service. She serves as a peer concentration advisor for Applied Mathematics, helping underclassmen navigate their academic paths. She also volunteers with Harvard Undergraduate Pediatric Cancer Buddies (HUPCB), organizing fun events to support pediatric cancer patients and their families.
Feng’s achievements extend to her extracurricular activities, where she is a co-president of the Harvard University Figure Skating Club. “Figure skating has been a big part of my life since elementary school,” she shared. “It’s a wonderful way to relieve stress and balance my academic pursuits.”
As Feng looks to the future, she remains focused on her research and academic goals. “I am incredibly grateful for the support from my mentors and the opportunities I’ve had at Harvard,” she said. “I look forward to continuing my research and making meaningful contributions to the field.”
