Irene Amrine, '04 BS, '08 MS

My personal life recently brought me back to Arizona State University. A seemingly forgotten chapter was awakened by still familiar shortcuts between building, the constant need to seek shade walking from building to building, and the iconic towering of queen palms along the Palm Walk as I hastily made my way to a lecture auditorium. Arizona State University gave me more than education-it gave me the confidence to pursue a career driven by purpose. As a first-generation immigrant from Ukraine, I arrived at ASU with an appreciation for every opportunity and a belief that I can make a difference. My professors and classmates challenged me to think critically and embrace innovation. What I remember the most about my time at ASU was that everything about the Tempe campus was a metaphor for life. What was unfamiliar at first - the harsh desert climate, unforgiving Arizona heat and vegetation that was both stunning and could hurt you, if you're not careful - eventually became the backdrop for self-discovery, shaped personal growth, fueled success and longevity.
That mindset shaped my professional journey - first, as a research associate at Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGEN), and now as a cancer genomics professional at Caris Life Sciences, an oncology precision medicine industry disrupter. Throughout my career, I've used skills acquired at ASU to help advance precision medicine with a single purpose in mind - to help improve outcomes for cancer patients. Working at the intersection of science, technology, and healthcare has shown me how innovation can change lives-something ASU encouraged thought my bachelor's and master's pursuits.
Those experiences inspired me to reconnected with ASU long after graduation. Recently, I helped establish the ASU Ukrainian American Alumni Club, creating a space where alumni, students, and friends of Ukraine can build meaningful connections through networking, cultural engagement, mentorship, and service. It's been incredibly rewarding to give back to the university that played such an important role in my own journey while helping strengthen the Sun Devil community. Being a Sun Devil taught me that success isn't measured solely by career achievements, but by the positive impact we leave on our communities. That lesson has guided my career in science, my commitment to community service, and my continued connection to ASU.