APhA-ASP Member Spotlight: JianXiang Weng
Meet JianXiang Weng, a second-year PharmD candidate at MCPHS University-Boston. JianXiang has been a member of APhA-ASP since 2018, and is interested in policy and industry pharmacy. He took a moment to tell us about himself and his journey to date.
Can you tell us about your journey with APhA-ASP? Why did you choose to become a member and why do you remain a member?
I was introduced to APhA-ASP as a freshman by my chapter’s then-president-elect as a way to explore my passion for law and policy. Before college, I had been an active member of my high school’s mock trial team and was selected as one of 50 API students throughout California to take part in mock legislation at the state capitol my senior year. Coming into college, joining my chapter's policy committee was the perfect medium for me to merge my interests in both health care and law.
My APhA-ASP membership and working with my chapter’s policy committee these past 2 years has provided me with incredible experiences, such as meeting the former president of my state pharmacist association and a legislative director, as well as attending a joint committee hearing at the Massachusetts statehouse. Our committee also developed a talk series titled “Policy Advocacy Talk Series,” where we hosted a series of interviews to discuss ongoing issues in pharmacy with professionals and specialists in their respective fields. I have been able to experience these opportunities through my participation in APhA-ASP, and I look forward to creating new opportunities for my fellow student pharmacists as the incoming policy vice president.
If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
If I could eat one meal for the rest of my life, it would be the Shanghai-style stir-fried eel. This dish was something that my family always made for me growing up. Having been away from my family for so long, I’ve learned to cherish my time even more whenever I get a chance to see them, and I would gladly eat a dish that reminds me of home for the rest of my life.
If you were a superhero, what power would you have?
If I had a superpower, I would want to be able to speak all languages. Communication is such a key aspect of our everyday lives, especially when communicating with patients and other health care providers. Being able to communicate without having to worry about a language barrier, not just in health care but in general, would be an incredible power to have.
If you had to describe yourself as an animal, which one would it be?
If I had to describe myself as an animal, I would choose the eagle, as it is a perfect combination of strength, tenacity, and vision. Despite performing the worst in math and science courses throughout high school, I chose to study pharmacy because my desire to be a health care provider dwarfed my fear of failing all the math and sciences courses I would take in pharmacy school. Since starting at MCPHS, I have overcome my initial self-doubt and drastically elevated my academic performance, while staying active in multiple professional organizations and serving on numerous executive boards and committees.
In addition to serving as my chapter's policy vice president, I will also begin my second term as the executive president of my student government association this fall and continue my term as a representative within the Boston Intercollegiate Government. My struggles and gradual progress throughout these past few years have strengthened me as an individual, reinforced my resilience in the face of adversity, and taught me to approach problems with a positive and innovative attitude.
After a long day of school or work, what do you like to do in the evening to unwind?
The perfect night for me after a long day would be to cook a nice meal and share it with family and friends. I started cooking the year I moved out of my university dorms and found it to be a great way for me to destress. From buying groceries to cooking to finally enjoying the meal, the entire process is very relaxing, whether it be alone or with family and friends.
What is your favorite APhA-ASP member benefit?
My favorite member benefit must be the meetings. Being able to meet so many incredible health care providers and learning about their experiences inspires me to work harder. The APhA-ASP Midyear Regional Meeting, APhA Annual Meeting & Exposition, and the APhA Summer Leadership Institute are all great opportunities to grow your network and meet fellow student pharmacists and professionals. Leadership positions are another benefit that I really enjoy. Whether it's serving at a chapter, regional, or national level, officer positions give students like me a chance to exercise and improve leadership skills as I work with fellow officers and student members to promote the pharmacy profession.