• Current Scholars
• Alumni
• Dream Big
• Scholar Travels
• Scholar Art & Music
• Scholar Stories
• The Scholar Experience

Rainjade Ahmin Chung

Biography

Highlights of Young Scholar Experience: Rainjade “Ahmin” Chung thanks “Uncle Jack” for opening up the world of science to her, but also for allowing her to take violin lessons, something she’s wanted to do since she was a child. “Uncle Jack” is how a number of Young Scholars refer to the late Jack Kent Cooke. Ahmin said the many Foundation-supported summer activities “enlightened me both academically and emotionally.” The sessions on biology, diseases and public health “added more fire to my burning fervor for science.”

Profile: Ahmin Chung is searching for answers about why we are here, and just as important, the hereafter. She’s a budding scientist, but also a budding theologian. She knows what type of science she wants to study, and at the same time is closing in on a decision on where her religious beliefs lie. She has dabbled and experimented with various religions over the years – having attended Baptist, Methodist and Buddhist services, and because she attended a Society of Friends boarding school, the Quakers are a part of her life too. Ahmin’s passion for science and religion is driven by a personal ordeal, her father’s losing battle to cancer. “I vowed to find a cure,” she said looking back on her decision to become a Virologist. As far as her religious beliefs she says, “Although I may never be able to fully explain the way I see the relationship between God and science, I know I am at peace.”

Inspiration: Ahmin said Charles Schwartz and Julie Jones were her Advanced Mentorship Program mentors and they challenged her both academically and personally. They gave her great advice on how to manage her time but at the same time pushed her to new levels of science understanding.

Aspiration: Driving every science class she takes is Ahmin’s “duty” to help find a cure for cancer and other deadly diseases.

Making a Difference: Ahmin’s embraced the community at her boarding school in Pennsylvania, and it is definitely a two-way street as the community of the elite George School has embraced her right back. As president of the student body, the day never seems to end for Ahmin. She also serves as a prefect in her dormitory and that means helping students with the crisis du jour that 16-year-olds are faced with. But her door is always open, and that’s the way Ahmin likes it.

Accolades: Each semester that Ahmin’s been a student at the George School she has earned a place on the Honor Roll.

Interesting fact: Ahmin would not be a good person to go on a picnic with. “I’m terrified of ants,” she said.
 

Other Scholars Like Rainjade