We’re excited to introduce Ren Manalo and Mandy Liang to all of Michener’s incoming students, second-year students who are busy organizing this year’s activities and will serve as your guides to Orientation 2025.
Get to know Ren and Mandy and find out what they are looking forward to most at this year’s Orientation.
Ren Manalo
What program are you in?
Medical Laboratory Science
Why did you choose to pursue a career in healthcare?
I was previously a plague researcher, studying Yersinia pestis in 6th – 8th century Turkey as a member of the McMaster Ancient DNA Centre. I realized I loved the lab work involved in my research but wanted to shift my focus and make a difference in the lives of those who are still with us. Medical laboratory science allowed me to do just that!
What TV show are you binge-watching right now?
I’m currently re-watching episodes of Supernatural and Criminal Minds!
What’s your favourite restaurant in Toronto?
Kezy Doner on McCaul Street, only about a minute away from Michener. It’s my go-to lunch place and I crave their rice boxes all the time. I’m proud to say they know my order by heart now!
What destinations are on your travel bucket list?
I would love to visit Japan during wisteria season!
Who would you say is your hero?
My mom! She was one of the first women to have completed a chemical engineering degree in her small town in the Philippines. Her selflessness and ambition continue to inspire me as I pursue a career in healthcare!
What’s been your most memorable moment at Michener so far?
Speed-eating lunch with my lab group. If you passed by, it would’ve looked a little funny – a dozen students huddled around a small section of the 13th floor finishing their food in silence. Trying to eat lunch in the little time we had between lab sessions was a struggle, but at least we were all struggling together! I’m thankful that, though studying healthcare can be very stressful, there have been plenty of opportunities to form friendships and find support at Michener!
What Orientation event are you most excited about?
Bob Ross paint night and goat yoga. ‘Nuff said.
What is your best piece of advice for new Michener students?
Don’t be afraid to try new things and enjoy the journey! Ask as many questions as you can. The faculty, staff, and upper year students at Michener are all here to support you – make connections whenever possible!
Mandy Liang
What program are you in?
Medical Laboratory Science
Why did you choose to pursue a career in healthcare?
I was a Life Sciences laboratory teaching assistant during my undergraduate career. I was second guessing a career in healthcare at the time, but becoming a TA and teaching the students all these different lab techniques and facilitating exciting experiments, it reminded me of how fun science can be! I love doing lab work and hope to pursue a career in healthcare doing just that!
What TV show are you binge-watching right now?
I’ve been watching Modern Family in the background! It’s my comfort show all-year round. I’ve also been trying to re-watch the first 2 seasons of The Summer I Turned Pretty, but I have to take at least 2 cringe-attack breaks each episode. But I’ll do it for the romance!
What’s your favourite restaurant in Toronto?
Ramen Raijin near Wellesley Station! They always have a line, but it’s worth it! I also visit Imonay Korean Restaurant once a month for lunch under $10! The employees are super kind and always give me extra rice.
What destinations are on your travel bucket list?
I went to Japan last year and it was so fun! I want to go back. But this time, I want to do an Asia food tour and visit South Korea, Japan, China, Thailand, Singapore, and Vietnam. I’m also going to throw in New Zealand because every single video or picture I see of New Zealand is so breathtakingly beautiful.
Who would you say is your hero?
My little sister! She’s my best friend and is so amazing at everything. She just started working as an Ultrasound Tech and seeing her start her “big girl job” makes me so excited and happy. Watching her do so many things that I can’t even imagine doing myself pushes me outside of my comfort zone to try new things!
What’s been your most memorable moment at Michener so far?
Working on identifying organisms in my Microbiology labs with my lab mates. I remember the first few weeks of lab were almost silent and awkward since we didn’t know each other well and were intimidated by the lab work. But by the last few lab sessions, we would wheel our chairs around the lab and perform the different identifying tests together (even if they didn’t need to be done together). The lively, happy lab environment was definitely memorable for me.
What Orientation event are you most excited about?
Michener Fest — so many fun events lined up back-to-back, free boba, and prizes! But also, what Ren said (sign up for goat yoga, you won’t regret it!).
What is your best piece of advice for new Michener students?
Sometimes, things might seem intimidating and overwhelming, but it’s okay to go at your own pace. It will work out in the end, you just don’t know it yet! It took me 4 years of undergraduate studies and a year at Michener to stop procrastinating and start studying 2 days in advance, instead of 1 (I’m still working on it…). When things aren’t going exactly your way, just try your best and no one can blame you for that!