The biochemistry major, who began his senior year at Illinois College this fall, is a native of Chiang Mai, Thailand. He explored schools in Thailand, England and the United States, before committing to four years at IC. He said a lunch with his grandpa, Amnuay Tapingkae ’59, made the decision easier.

“He urged me to consider going to IC because that’s where he went to school. He said, ‘IC is a smaller college, where you won’t be overwhelmed and you won’t just be a number. You will definitely feel at home and love it'" said Wattanasirakul. “That’s where it started. I decided to give it a shot.”

For Wattanasirakul, IC offered the chance to continue his passion for swimming while preparing for medical school, making it the perfect choice. Reflecting on his time on the Hilltop, he has no regrets.

“Shooting for my goals and doing what I love at the same time in the same place is what I have been able to do at IC. My whole college experience has been awesome. I have a real sense of belonging here,” he said. Wattanasirakul connected with friends and mentors as a member of IC swimming and Sigma Pi literary society and has had some unique hands-on experiences that ensure he will Graduate READY.

As a first-year student, he was one of six students chosen to participate in the Pathways to Peace initiative, sponsored by Khalaf Al Habtoor H’10, chairman of the Al Habtoor Group, in collaboration with former U.S. congressman, Paul Findley ’43. He said attending weekly seminars alongside professors taught him what it means to be a scholar and lifelong learner.

Wattanasirakul also participated in student-faculty research with Dr. Laura Corey at the Starhill Forest Arboretum. He hopes the experience “learning to think like a scientist” will aid him as he pursues his dream of practicing medicine, something he hopes to do in the U.S. and eventually in Thailand.

“In research, you have to be adaptable and creative working with what you have. You aren’t always successful on the first attempt, so a lot of work goes into making significant discoveries,” he said. “It will be important as a doctor, to understand research and how it relates to how diseases and treatments evolve. At IC, I’m learning the skills I’ll need to keep up with a quickly changing field.”