Student: Christine Chan
Christine Chan wants to explore North Carolina’s biodiversity to turn her passion for the environment and animals into a career and continue to advocate for climate change awareness.
As an EC Scholar and Honors College student, Chan has taken advantage of every opportunity East Carolina University offers. She spent the spring at the ECU Coastal Studies Institute in the Outer Banks as part of ECU’s Semester at the Coast, a program open to every ECU student that Chan believes students should consider.
Along with her pre-med studies, Chan is exploring potential career options at the coast. (Contributed photo)
While majoring in biology and minoring in coastal and marine studies, Chan is taking her time exploring potential career paths.
“I am on the pre-med track, but I have been exploring potential career options at the coast,” Chan said. “I have been considering (becoming) a national park ranger or wildlife biologist or filmmaker.”
As “someone who has always been into nature and wildlife,” Chan said she may deviate from her original plan when she entered college. Her interest in the environment and animals has steered her toward her internship in a sedimentology lab, where she studies erosion on beaches.
“Things are always changing, so there is always more to research and learn,” she said, “I think climate change is very real and I see it happening faster at the coast. Many people don’t realize how it actually affects them.”
Her passion translates into her hobbies. Chan says she loves to watch shows on Animal Planet like “River Monsters” or veterinarian TV shows and that they foster her continued interest in coastal and marine studies.
Chan followed her two older sisters, also Honors College alumni, to ECU. She heard great things about the Honors College, post-grad programs and ECU Brody School of Medicine.
“ECU has an amazing medical school and amazing faculty who I have enjoyed learning from here. There are also so many opportunities in clubs and classes, I can get involved in anything I am interested in,” she said. “Everyone wants to share what they are doing.”
Chan is the secretary of the Asian Students Association and a volunteer piano teacher.
Chan participated in ECU’s spring Semester at the Coast program at the Coastal Studies Institute — a program available to all Pirate students. (Contributed photo)
STATISTICS
Name: Christine Chan
College: Thomas Harriot College of Art and Sciences
Major: Biology with a minor in coastal and marine studies
Age: 19
Classification/Year: Sophomore, Class of 2025
Hometown: Holly Springs, North Carolina
Hobbies/interests: Piano, guitar, working out, sports, skateboarding, and kayaking
Clubs and Organizations: Asian Students Association, Musical Empowerment, Honors College, EC Scholars
FAVORITES
Favorite hangout: ECU’s Outer Banks Campus
Favorite place on campus: Racquetball courts at the Rec Center
Favorite place to eat: Simply Natural Creamery
Favorite class: Analysis, Techniques, and Methods of Coastal Ocean Research
Professors who influenced you the most: Dr. Corbett and Dr. Hargrove
Favorite TV show: “Modern Family”
Favorite band/musician: Sam Burchfield
Favorite movie: “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl”
Favorite app: Instagram
MOTIVATIONS
Dream job: Wildlife photographer/filmmaker
Role model: Jeremy Wade
Your words to live by: Embrace your journey and define your own destination.
What advice do you have for other students? Approach every day with an open mind! You can learn something new from anyone if you are willing to listen.