Katrina Hu
Katrina Hu
Major: Medicinal Chemistry and Classical Studies
Minor: Studio Art
Hometown: Cary, NC
“Prioritize the things that sit at the intersection of your joy and the world’s needs.”
Greatest change since your first year
Through my experience at Wake Forest, I have been able to gain clarity on who I am and what priorities are important to me. Before college, I was trying to do everything — I jumped headfirst into anything that the people around me thought was “good.” In college, I realized that it was more important to me to dedicate myself to excellence in a few areas. I have striven to be an excellent student of natural science and the humanities, an excellent teacher, an excellent partner and an excellent daughter.
Impact of Pro Humanitate
Pro Humanitate has been a guiding principle for how I’ve approached my studies and for how I’ve engaged with the broader community. I valued being able to think critically about what it means to act for and connect with humanity, which led me to explore courses in classics, philosophy, and art. For me, the goal of learning was more than grades, but to retain knowledge and apply it meaningfully.Outside the classroom, Pro Humanitate inspired me to use my skills to impact others. I contributed to scientific research on cancer and hydrogen sulfide therapies, tutored and mentored fellow students in chemistry, taught art to children at Brenner’s Children’s Hospital, and shared my knowledge about art with visitors at the Reynolda House Museum. Looking forward, I hope to continue bringing my knowledge and abilities to serve others, particularly through medicine, in ways that reflect the philosophy of Pro Humanitate.
Favorite course outside your major
My favorite class outside my major was Main Streams of Chinese Philosophy. I was fascinated by the parallels between Chinese and Western thought — for example, comparing Confucius to Aristotle or Laozi to Heraclitus. It was remarkable to see how thinkers from vastly different cultures grappled with similar questions about virtue, human nature, and the order of the universe. I thought that the course offered compelling evidence of a universal human experience connecting us across space and time.
What you’d tell your first-year self
Prioritize the things that sit at the intersection of your joy and the world’s needs, but don’t forget to make time for what simply brings you happiness. Even if something doesn’t appear “successful,” don’t dwell on the outcome: focus on showing up consistently, day after day. Trust that this steady commitment will allow things to work out naturally.
Evolution of your career plans
Even before entering college, my goal was always to become a physician. During my college time, I explored what being a physician actually looked like and meant through volunteering in the hospital, working at a clinic, and shadowing doctors. I was repeatedly inspired by the compassion and ability of healthcare workers, and met patients whom I wished to be able to do more for. These experiences reaffirmed my passion for and commitment to medicine, and I am excited to be attending medical school next year!