Layth Polus

As is the case with many of Town & Gown’s distinguished scholars, Layth’s higher education began before entering UC San Diego. He earned many community college credits and obtained a medical assistant license. This certification enabled him to work with various health providers, most recently at  Advance Healthcare Center. His duties have included working the desk, scheduling appointments, checking patients in and out and handling medical paperwork. He also assists with clinical tasks such as taking vital signs and preparing exam rooms for the patient’s visit with a physician.

Layth has known since childhood that healthcare would be his calling. Beginning in high school Layth has been a nurse aide volunteer at Sharp Grossmont Hospital and has also volunteered with the Red Cross; those experiences have only confirmed his commitment to medicine. He plans to obtain an MD and is strongly considering specializing in ophthalmology. He believes that “there’s something powerful about a field so directly tied to how people interact with the world. The ability to preserve or restore someone’s vision goes beyond physical healing — it can completely change their quality of life.”

As part of the Biology Research Internship Program, Layth is a research assistant in the MacRae Lab at Scripps Research, where he is engaged in a project focused on RNA therapeutics. He is on the Next Gen Social Media Board for the National Arab American Medical Association. On campus he is active in OPHA, an “Arabic UCSD Pre-Health organization dedicated to providing career guidance from healthcare professionals while giving back to the community.” Their service activities have included two blood drives and a homeless food drive. As a member of the membership committee for the Biological Sciences Student Association, he promotes the mentorship program for entering students interested in biology and organizes events for mentors and mentees.                   

Layth was born in Iraq, and has largely had to learn how to navigate the American education system on his own. His willingness to work hard and persevere has paid enormous dividends. Layth is currently enrolled in Sixth College, participating in the Chancellor’s Associates Scholars Program.