Derek Nguyen is heading into his fourth year at Western University, where his academic journey merges clinical curiosity with a passion for impact. His previous NSERC-funded research focused on immunology and inflammatory bowel disease, with a growing interest in bridging clinical and translational science. Derek thrives in collaborative environments-whether in research labs or peer mentorship settings-believing that science moves forward through shared ideas and mutual support. Outside of academics, he's the co-founder of Operation EcoPen, a grassroots initiative advancing environmental sustainability through youth engagement and education. When not analyzing data or sketching out research proposals, Derek finds joy in a good rally on the tennis court, quiet moments with family, and chasing after questions that matter. He's driven by curiosity, compassion, and a desire to make both science and society just a little better than he found them.