Yekai Yang

I am an Applied Medical Sciences student at University College London with a strong interest in how scientific discoveries are translated into real healthcare technologies. While my academic background has given me a solid understanding of biology, disease mechanisms and diagnostics, what motivates me most is seeing how science actually moves from the lab into products that can improve patient care.

Through my studies, I have developed particular interests in diagnostics, neuroscience, infection biology and molecular medicine. However, beyond the scientific details, I have also become increasingly interested in the broader systems that shape healthcare innovation. Questions such as how new diagnostic technologies reach hospitals, how companies navigate regulatory frameworks and how market dynamics influence healthcare adoption are areas I find particularly engaging.

My internship in the Regulatory Affairs department at Roche Diagnostics gave me a valuable opportunity to see these processes from inside the industry. It helped me understand how regulatory strategy plays a critical role in ensuring patient safety while also enabling medical technologies to reach the market. Observing the interaction between regulatory, scientific, and commercial teams also made me appreciate how interdisciplinary the healthcare industry really is.

Outside of academics, I value teamwork and leadership. Being involved with the UCL swim team allowed me to contribute to team coordination and organization, which helped me develop communication, responsibility, and collaboration skills in a very practical setting. Balancing academic work, professional development and team commitments has taught me how to stay organized while maintaining a strong work ethic.

Overall, I am motivated by opportunities that combine science with strategic thinking, particularly within the diagnostics, biotechnology and healthcare industries where innovation can directly impact patient outcomes.

One of the most valuable professional experiences I have had so far was my internship with Roche Diagnostics in the Regulatory Affairs department. This role gave me a close look at how in vitro diagnostic technologies move through regulatory pathways before they can be used in healthcare systems.

During the internship, I supported activities related to regulatory documentation and compliance. This involved reviewing technical information, understanding how regulatory submissions are structured and observing how teams ensure that diagnostic products meet the required standards across different regions. Through this process, I gained a clearer understanding of the lifecycle of diagnostic devices, from development and validation to approval and post-market monitoring.

Working in regulatory affairs also showed me how central communication and coordination are within the healthcare industry. Regulatory teams sit at the intersection of research, quality assurance, manufacturing and commercial strategy. I was able to see how these different departments collaborate to ensure both scientific accuracy and regulatory compliance. This experience reinforced the importance of clear documentation, careful analysis and cross-functional teamwork.

Beyond the regulatory work itself, the experience also broadened my perspective on the healthcare industry at a macro level. Diagnostics companies operate within complex global markets influenced by healthcare policy, reimbursement systems and economic conditions. Observing how these factors influence product strategy helped me better understand the business and financial realities behind medical innovation.

In addition to industry experience, I have developed leadership and organisational skills through extracurricular activities such as being the captain of the UCL swim team. Being involved in team coordination and supporting training organisation required reliability, communication and the ability to work collaboratively with people from diverse backgrounds.

Together, these experiences have helped me develop both a scientific understanding of biomedical technologies and a broader appreciation of how they function within the healthcare ecosystem.

I am currently studying Applied Medical Sciences at University College London, where I have built a strong academic foundation in human biology, disease mechanisms and biomedical technologies.

My coursework covers a wide range of topics including immunology, neuroscience, infection biology, molecular genetics and disease pathology. These subjects have helped me understand how biological systems function at both cellular and molecular levels, and how disruptions in these systems lead to disease.

One aspect of my studies that I particularly enjoy is exploring how basic science translates into clinical applications. For example, learning about molecular diagnostics, biomarker discovery and emerging technologies such as liquid biopsies has highlighted how rapidly the field of medical diagnostics is evolving. These technologies are becoming increasingly important in areas such as precision medicine and early disease detection.

My academic training has also emphasized analytical thinking and the ability to interpret complex scientific information. Many assignments involve reviewing research literature, analysing experimental evidence and forming structured scientific arguments. This has strengthened my ability to approach problems logically and communicate scientific ideas clearly.

At the same time, studying applied medical sciences has encouraged me to think beyond purely academic science. I have become interested in how innovations are implemented in real healthcare systems and how factors such as regulation, economics and healthcare policy influence the adoption of new technologies.

Combining my academic studies with industry exposure through my internship at Roche Diagnostics has given me a more complete perspective on biomedical science, from understanding the underlying biology to seeing how medical technologies are developed, regulated and eventually used to benefit patients.