After completing his Masters of Statistics and Applied Analytics, Xirui Huang ’25, decided to pursue a Masters of Science in Biotechnology. Huang had such a positive experience at Azusa Pacific University while working towards his first master degree that he felt the school’s biotech program would help him reach his career and experience goals.
Originally from China, Huang moved to La Verne, Calif. before high school. He attended a local Catholic school, and his time at APU has taught him even more about his faith. “I realized that having faith gives people strength because you have something to believe in,” Huang said. His time at APU has changed his perspective on how faith plays into people’s lives.
Huang spent his undergraduate years studying at UC Riverside. Since his parents now live part time in Azusa, Huang was vaguely familiar with APU. “I didn’t know much about the university, but after completing my first masters, I realized how great the school is,” he said.
“The professors truly care about their students, and I get to interact with them more than I did in undergrad. APU faculty actually want you to learn and actively follow up with you and your goals. My classmates and the International Services Office have also been very helpful and contributed to my decision to pursue my second masters at APU.”
The concentrations of the statistics master program focused more on business principles than biostatistics which is what Huang felt truly passionate about. After finishing the first program, he decided to take a leap of faith and continue his education in the biotech program. “At the time I was 26 and couldn’t do a five year PHD,” Huang said. “However, statistics wasn’t enough for me. I wanted to learn something else. I went into stats for finance and marketing, but then I wanted to utilize those skills in biotechnology. When I learned about APU’s biotech masters, it was perfect because it was a two year program that would allow me to connect my statistical knowledge with my passion for biotech.”
Huang aspires to enter the pharmaceutical industry in the future. His goals stem from the effects of Covid. “The biopharmaceutical industry started to bloom during Covid, and it really interested me,” he said. “What happens if another pandemic occurs? I want to be in an industry where I can help others. I’m hoping that nothing similar will happen again, but if it does, I can do my part to contribute to society.” Huang described his career aspirations as being the bridge between statistics and biotechnology through analyzing and collecting in depth information from data. “Research and lab testing isn’t my favorite,” he said “I want to focus on the statistical side of data analysis.”
An important part of the Masters in Biotech program is the opportunity for students to participate in a three month internship with Gilead Sciences, a pharmaceutical company in La Verne. Six students, including Huang, recently started at the company. Huang hopes to gain practical experience from his internship that will help him get into the biotech field.
The internship begins with a basic training program including manufacturing practice and new personnel courses. “I’ve been assigned to get hands on with the instruments during the labs,” Huang said. “There is a machine called the circular dichroism spectrophotometer that the company bought in 2016 but hasn’t used yet. I am working on writing a manual for future employees who will use the machine.” Huang’s experience in data analytics greatly helps him while studying the machine which shoots light that reflects against molecules in order to examine how much particular proteins were able to absorb. With this data, scientists can compare light absorption.
Huang’s commitment to working hard in his education is influenced by his family and background. “My parents have so much hope for me, and that’s why they sent me to study abroad,” he said. “I’m the first person in my family to hold a masters degree. As an international student, my main goal is to accomplish something that my parents can be proud of.” Huang is grateful for the opportunity he has to study abroad at APU. “Not a lot of people get this opportunity, and I’ve met students who don’t value the chance they have to study here,” he said. “I hope that all international students utilize their time here to learn as much as possible. I’ve appreciated how helpful everyone is, and I’ve loved my time at APU.”