Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that another daughter of Samoa, Ms. Katherine To’o, has graduated this year with a MD degree from The David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA). 

Ms. Katherine To’o was born in Samoa but grew up in Southern California.  She is the daughter of Albert To’o and Joy Chang To’o.  She is an accomplished pianist, dancer, and choreographer.  In high school, Katherine volunteered at Arcadia Methodist Hospital, which strengthened her interest in Science.  At the University of California San Diego, she excelled in biology courses, while handling a full-time job at the Scripps Research Institute.  Katherine was also accepted to a summer undergraduate research program at Harvard.

Ms. Too received her Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry and cell biology from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) and was elected to the Golden Key National Honor Society.  In 2002, she entered the School of Medicine at UCLA while continuing her volunteer work, participating in the Lennox School District Fair, among other activities.  One of her professors commented, “Katherine has shown exceptional ability to learn new techniques and intelligently analyze data.”

“I am very pleased to acknowledge Katherine Too’s distinguished achievements and accomplishments.  She will serve as a role model to our Samoan youth, especially those who aspire to continue in higher education.  I congratulate Katherine in her professional success and wish her the very best in her future endeavors,” Congressman Faleomavaega concluded.