California Institute of Technology

Coach's Comments: "Michelle is passionate about continuing her improvements as a runner.  Her high school experience was instructive at an individual and team level and she's ready to contribute to our program."

2016

• 5th on team at Redlands Invite (19:33)
• 5th on team at Biola Invitational (20:29.69)
• 4th on team at SCIAC Multi-Duals (25:45.06)
• 5th on team at Pomona-Pitzer Invitational (26:28.04)
• 6th on team at SCIAC Championships (28:17.50)
• 7th on team at NCAA West Regionals (27:36.00)

Research and STEM activities
Conducted research on neurotransmitter respecification in mice due to high-fat diets with Prof. Nicholas Spitzer at UCSD...Developed a novel injectable hurdogel from decullularized liver tissue with Prof. Robert Sah and Roberto Gaetani at UCSD...Conducted research on the elucidation of molecular mechanisms of autism with Dr. Igor Tsigelny at the San Diego Supercomputer Center...Analyzed anemia transfusion procedures with Prof. Marcos Intagelietta with Dr. Amy Tsai.

Prior to Caltech
Two-time California State Championships competitor...Three-year track captain and one-year cross country captain...National Merit Finalist...Dollars for Scholars Scholarship recipient..Presented the 2016 Rotary Youth Leadership Award...Named All-CIF San Diego Section Academic Team...Named Union Tribune All-Academic.

Personal
Born in Chapel Hill, N.C....Daughter of Xiaodong Zhao and Xing Lu...Has one younger brother, Aaron, and one younger sister, Ashlyn.