Alex Wang

Why did you choose Puget Sound? 

I chose Puget Sound because of its interdisciplinary liberal arts culture. I knew I wanted to study biochemistry, but I didn’t want to be confined to a single field. At Puget Sound, I met a professor who inspired me to also pursue mathematics, and I found an environment where faculty actively encourage connections across disciplines—whether that’s applying mathematical modeling to biological systems or discussing the ethical implications of AI in philosophy classes. The liberal arts setting has changed the way I think. It has given me multiple perspectives to approach complex problems and to value conversations across fields. That intellectual openness has shaped both my academic goals and how I see the world.

What has been your favorite class so far?

My favorite course has been NRSC 490: Advanced Topics in Neuroscience, where I worked with researchers from the Allen Institute. It allowed me to bring together everything I care about—neural systems, mathematical modeling, and biological mechanisms—in one deeply collaborative experience. What stood out most was how individualized the opportunity was; the course adapted to my interests and future goals. It captured what makes Puget Sound special: the freedom to design your intellectual path and the support to pursue ambitious research within a close-knit academic community.

What has been your experience of faculty?

My experience with faculty has been incredibly supportive and personal. Professors know me by name and genuinely invest in my growth, both academically and professionally. I’ve worked closely with faculty on research projects, and those collaborations have shaped my confidence as a scientist. Outside of class, conversations during office hours often extend beyond the syllabus—into career goals, research ideas, or broader intellectual questions. That mentorship has been one of the most meaningful parts of my education.

What have you done for your experiential learning requirement?

Experiential learning has shaped much of my time here. I’ve worked in research labs, collaborated on independent projects, and served as a teaching assistant. Those experiences moved learning from theory into practice—from problem sets into real questions filled with uncertainty. They have given me meaningful, real-world experience in the field I hope to pursue in the future. Wrestling with open-ended problems has been both challenging and formative, and those moments have shaped me not just as a student but as a developing researcher.