Eric Yang, a second-year psychobiology major, is one of four UCLA undergraduates to receive a Goldwater Scholarship this year.
This award recognizes Yang’s exceptional promise as a future physician-scientist who will lead immuno-oncology research, harnessing the body’s own defenses to treat cancer.
In this interview, excerpted from a story published by UCLA Undergraduate Education, Yang provides insights into his research interests and how the Goldwater Scholarship will shape his next steps.
What aspect of your chosen field do you find most interesting?
What interests me most about immuno-oncology is how it changes the way we think about treating cancer. Instead of relying only on chemotherapy or radiation, it works by helping the immune system recognize and respond to cancer cells.
Approaches like checkpoint inhibitors and CAR T-cell therapy are more targeted, and in some cases, their effects may continue even after treatment has ended. It’s a developing area that reflects how much we still have to learn, and I’m drawn to the possibility of learning and contributing in whatever way I can.
What does winning the Goldwater Scholarship mean to you?
It’s something I’m truly grateful for. It has encouraged me to keep learning and given me time to reflect more deeply on my interest in research. I’m especially thankful to the research groups I’ve been part of for welcoming me and giving me the chance to learn from their work. This experience has reminded me how much there is still to learn and how grateful I am to be in a position where I can continue to grow and expand my knowledge.
How did the Center for Scholarship and Scholar Enrichment support you through the application process?
The CSSE, and especially Dr. Blustein, was very helpful throughout the Goldwater application process. I received guidance at each stage — from brainstorming ideas to refining my essays — and was encouraged to think more clearly about how to present my goals. Their feedback was valuable, and their support made the process feel much more manageable. I’m truly grateful for their encouragement and for the time they dedicated to helping me grow as both a writer and a researcher.
What are your plans for continuing your academic journey after earning your undergraduate degree?
I plan to pursue an M.D./Ph.D. with a focus on cancer immunology. I’m interested in studying how we might better understand and utilize the immune system to develop more effective and personalized cancer therapies. In the long term, I hope to be able to lead a research group and contribute to both scientific knowledge and the education of future scientists. I look forward to continuing to explore questions at the intersection of immunology, oncology, and translational medicine.