Trinity’s Pathway

When Trinity joined Bangkok Patana School in Year 2, she was just beginning to explore the world around her. Eleven years later, she leaves not only as a top student headed to Brown University to study Human Health and Human Biology, but as a published researcher, poet, performer and changemaker.

“Bangkok Patana has been a really nurturing environment for me,” Trinity says. “They never tried to put me in a box. I’ve always loved both science and the arts, and I was never told I had to choose.” That duality runs through every part of her school journey. On one hand, Trinity thrived in the sciences, especially biology and chemistry, inspired in part by her mother, a dermatologist. “I grew up in her clinic, watching her interact with patients. From early on, I knew I wanted to work in human health.” On the other hand, she’s also a gifted writer and performer, having won the Rosamund Stuetzel Patana Poetry Prize twice, once placing first and once as the runner-up. “At first, poetry was a private outlet for me. I was quite shy. Then I started writing poems for friends and family and slowly began sharing them. Winning that competition was a huge confidence boost.” In music, Trinity’s creativity found another outlet through jazz band performances. “There were so many spaces for me to explore who I was creatively, not just academically,” she says. “That’s what made all the difference.”

Her love for science moved beyond the classroom. In Year 12, Trinity interned at Mahidol University where she supported graduate students conducting original scientific research, investigating the antifungal properties of a Thai herb called snake jasmine. The project was sparked by a real-world problem she encountered while volunteering at the Mercy Centre, where she noticed many children suffered from ringworm, often treated with steroid-based creams that caused side effects and resistance. But through her mother’s practice, Trinity knew that a thai herb called ‘Snake Jasmine’ was often used for dermatology and could be an alternate medicine for ringworm. With guidance and mentorship from the professor at Mahidol, Trinity worked with the team and began testing the herb in a lab setting. “We made a steroid-free cream using the extract and donated it to the Mercy Centre. That was the full circle moment for me, science turning into direct social impact.” Trinity was named as a co-author on the research paper, which is now under peer review for publication.

In school, Trinity led multiple community-focused initiatives. She was President of Right to Read, a literacy club that wrote and distributed a science-themed children’s book, created an audiobook drive, and partnered with the pediatric center at Siriraj Hospital. “I believe in using storytelling to connect with others, whether it’s through poetry or through science communication,” she says. She also co-founded Science Pioneers, an ECA that brought fun, hands-on lab experiments to younger Secondary students. “It wasn’t just about teaching—it was about creating joy in learning,” she explains. The group was invited to present at the Association for Science Education Conference (ASE), where Trinity served as an opening speaker.

Academically, she pursued Biology HL, Chemistry HL, and Maths AA HL, with English Literature, Thai, and Economics at SL. Her university acceptances reflect her dedication: in addition to Brown, she was admitted to Northwestern University, University of Michigan, Emory University, George Washington University, Boston University, and University of Washington, among others. “Brown was my first choice. Their open curriculum and focus on interdisciplinary learning really appealed to me,” she says.

As she prepares for life at Brown, Trinity says she feels both excited and ready. “I know university will be challenging, but I’ve learned how to balance passion with discipline. Patana gave me space to grow and the confidence to believe in my voice, whether in the lab, on stage or in the pages of a poem.”

Her advice to younger students? “Lean into the things that make you different. Your path doesn’t have to be linear to be powerful.’