Graduating in June 2012, Wilson To hopes to make a dent in the world. “No matter how important my research is to me, in the bigger picture, it’s only a small bit of the overall research in the field,” says To. The comparative pathology Ph.D. candidate has been researching disease processes in humans by looking at the microcirculation in the small blood vessels of the eye. Paying attention to the microcirculation in our bodies can help give a peek into the body, and detect changes due to disease early. To is trying to answer the question, “How do we find diseases earlier and stop them from damaging the body?”

To, whose career path was originally optometry, became a Gates Foundation Fellow after graduating high school. The foundation has covered education costs from his undergrad years until now. He was also a previous recipient of the Hugh Edmondson Research Fellowship through his department.

Currently, To spends most of his time in the UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento but can also be found taking classes in Valley Hall on the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine campus. Studying comparative pathology allows him to study both humans and animals. “I get the best of both worlds,” he says.

The UC San Diego alumnus wanted to stay within the UC system. UC Davis was the only graduate school he applied to because he was introduced to the program as an undergrad and was thoroughly impressed. “Many universities don’t have the opportunity reach across the multidisciplinary spectrum,” To says.

Over his three years at UC Davis, To has talked to people from the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicinel to others in the College of Engineering. “It’s been really fun working with all these different people,” To says. To says in order to get your research out of the lab and into the real world, students must talk to people outside of their field.

As a student on this campus, To believes he is in a unique position to inspire other students to do research and use the resources available here to do so. He has been involved in mentoring programs. These opportunities were made possible through the Microsoft Student Partners program, as well as their annual Imagine Cup technology competition. To has taught students K-12 how to use technology positively. In the Imagine Cup, students 16 years and older compete to create the best technology to solve today’s toughest problems. During the past year’s competition, To mentored one of the teams.

After June, To plans to work in the industry and develop a new perspective of the work he does in the lab. One of his projects was recently awarded a slice of a 3-year, $3 million Microsoft Grant which will help fund further research and product incubation. He hopes to continue making dents in the world and help others do the same. “One of the most important things you can do is inspire someone,” To says.