Sarah Yao

CA, USA
SDSE 2019

“I attended a variety of Azan Virji’s biomedical seminars. His seminars were something applicable on my life; it has a parallel in the inspiration that I took from the biomedical lessons and Azan’s drive towards becoming a physician/consultant in global health inspired me to pursue a path in the medical field.”

I founded Project CreateAFuture, a 501(c)3 non-profit comprised of over 30 passionate students and young leaders across the Bay Area. CAF ensures sustainability and biodiversity in Costa Rica by selling biodegradable stickers, pins, and handcrafted bracelets to raise funds that are directly allocated to local programs in Costa Rica as well as to funding our hands-on projects there, including the Atluras Wildlife Sanctuary. The global philanthropy program consists of hands-on work in Costa Rica to build shelters for sea turtles, clean up beaches, teach locals about the dangers of pollution and single-use plastic, protect and release endangered animals, etc.

As important as it is to address global problems, my activism in the local community truly guides my passion for this cause. I participate in local events in the community including beach clean-ups, protests against pesticide use and waste in rivers in and around Newport, and am still continually active in the Sunrise Movement as part of activism for climate action. 

Ambassador Year: 
2019