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Monirath Siv
“I believe curiosity brings questions. Answering one question might lead to many other intriguing questions.”
- Program: 2009 Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship Recipient
- Hometown: Phnom Penh, Cambodia
- Community College: Cerritos College
- Four-year College or University: Washington University in St. Louis
- Academic/Career Pursuits: Health Care, Sciences, Public Health
- Other Interests: Environmental Science, Health Care, Honor Society, Liberal Arts, Literature, Mathematics, Nonprofits, Public Services, Sciences, Social Science / Anthropology, Tutoring / Mentoring, Volunteer Work
Biography
PROFILE: Monirath Siv’s story is not very different from other immigrants who came to the US, to find a better life through education. Arriving in Long Beach, CA, for his senior year in high school, Monirath overcame a language barrier and the culture changes and was selected to deliver the valedictory address at his high school. At Cerritos College, he’s been an honor student with a major in Natural Sciences but still finds time to do volunteer work with several organizations. In an article about his life on the Cerritos homepage, Monirath said he volunteers with as many service and community groups as possible so he can “experience new things.” Hard work, enthusiasm, humility, and kindness seem to sum up this Scholar’s life so far. As he said, “my primary focus at school is to challenge myself with the heavy load of work and to do very well in all classes. I’m also passionate to expand my learning.”
INSPIRATION: Monirath is indebted to a pair of Cerritos professors,Smita Alves and Cheryl Shimazu, who “have made science courses intriguing, and have trained me to be a challenging student as well as a potential science researcher.” He is also inspired by his mother, who witnessed first-hand the Cambodian genocide by Pol Pot in the 1970s. His grandfather was killed in the effort to overthrow the dictator, and his mother endured tremendous hardships. Monirath learned service to the less fortunate from his mother.
ASPIRATION: As a biomedical engineer, Monirath will be able combine his love of biology and engineering to serve the medical world. He said he hopes to eventually aid in the creation of new biomaterials and new medicines to treat today’s incurable diseases. The pivotal moment for this young Cambodian native came when he conducted a project on hypertension and presented his findings at a research conference. “This experience encouraged me to further my education in the research field and that was when I decided to major in biomedical engineering.”
MAKING A DIFFERENCE: His enthusiasm is contagious and rubs off on students and faculty alike at Cerritos. He has been involved in numerous community projects. As an AmeriCorps tutor at a local elementary school, Monirath supervises over 50 students and helps with their math homework and literacy skills.
ACCOLADES: He was a member of the 2009 USA Today All-USA Academic Team representing students enrolled at 800 community colleges, and was also named a 2009 New Century Scholar (featured in Community College Times).
INTERESTING FACT: Monirath was a member of the Junior Reserved Officers’ Training Corps in high school and the physical challenges in this program caused him to lose 30 pounds.
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