Emily Hwang
Junior
Biochemistry major, Data Science minor 
Chicago, Illinois 

Butler University’s Honors Program provides a unique and personalized experience for students, including access to unique Honors seminar courses, exploration of academic interests in undergraduate research through the completion of a thesis, study abroad opportunities, and much more. Meet Emily, a current Honors Program student. 

How would you describe Butler’s Honors Program? 
The Honors Program connects you with students in different majors that are passionate about what they are learning and offer unique perspectives. Being in the Honors Program has helped me to become a more well-rounded student by exposing me to diverse topics, students, and professors. Everyone in the program is extremely supportive and wants to see you succeed. 

What’s the best part about being in the Honors Program? 
The study abroad opportunities! The Honors Program makes studying abroad very accessible and feasible for students. There are several short-term study abroad trips led by Honors faculty that have offered trips to Paris, Berlin, and more. You can also choose to study abroad for a full semester, and not feel like you’re getting behind in your requirements for the program. For example, I am currently studying abroad for a semester in Paris, and I am taking “Photography in Paris” as my Honors class.

What are some unique experiences you’ve had in the Honors Program? 
The Honors Program gives you the opportunity to research and write about a topic that interests you through the completion of the Honors thesis. The thesis is a great way to apply the things you have learned throughout college to a cumulative, interdisciplinary piece of work. This past year, I have been working on completing my thesis proposal, which has entailed designing an experiment to improve blood stability of disulfide linkers in antibody-drug conjugates for targeted cancer therapy. I am looking forward to delving further into my topic next year when I begin my thesis. 

What do you want to do once you graduate? 
Upon graduation, I plan to take a gap year and apply to medical school. After graduating from medical school, I am keeping an open mind to all specialties, but I am currently interested in radiology, dermatology, or neurology.