Shirley Cao

Undergraduate Learning Assistant

UCLA

Mar 2026 - Current (7 months)

- Supported instruction of PSYCH M116A: Behavioral Neuroscience Laboratory through lab sections covering neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, and behavioral neuroscience techniques. - Collaborated with TAs and professors to guide students through hands-on lab modules, including brain dissections, to identify and understand major brain structures and their functions. - Assisted students in completing lab exercises and assignments, ensuring accuracy and conceptual understanding. - Provided individualized support and feedback during lab sessions to reinforce learning and engagement. - Helped undergraduate students develop skills in data interpretation, experimental design, and scientific reasoning.

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Community Volunteer

Tranquil Care Hospice

Jan 2026 - Current (9 months)

- Provided companionship and emotional support to hospice patients through regular visits, helping reduce loneliness and promote comfort during end-of-life care. - Assisted hospice staff and families in maintaining a calm, supportive environment for patients with terminal illnesses. - Demonstrated empathy and active listening while interacting with patients and caregivers navigating the emotional challenges of hospice care.

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Undergraduate Research Assistant

UCLA Candy Lab

Nov 2025 - Current (11 months)

- UCLA Cognition, Affect, and Neurodevelopment in Youth Lab investigates how neurobiological systems, thoughts, emotions, and behavior change throughout adolescent development, with a focus on stress, adversity, and depression risk. - Under the mentorship of postdoctoral scholar Dr. Katie Bessette, assisted with data cleaning, organization, and preprocessing across multiple assessment levels, including behavioral performance, self-report measures, and neuroimaging-derived variables. - Supported data analysis for a longitudinal study examining inhibitory control as a transdiagnostic risk factor in adolescent daughters of depressed mothers. - Collaborated with a multidisciplinary team investigating neural and behavioral markers that may impro

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HALO Hospice Volunteer

Hospice Angels Lending Outreach at UCLA

Sep 2025 - Current (1 year 1 month)

- Provided companionship and emotional support to hospice patients and their families through consistent weekly visits in both home and assisted-living settings. - Assisted patients with enrichment activities and conversation to promote dignity and quality of life during end-of-life care. - Collaborated with other hospice volunteers and nursing facility staff to support the holistic care of terminally ill patients. - Participated in outreach initiatives, creating and distributing cards, gifts, and supportive materials to residents at partner facilities.

Medical Scribe - Emergemcy Medicine

St. Francis Medical Center

Sep 2025 - Current (1 year 1 month)

- Accurately documented real-time patient encounters in the Emergency Department of a level II trauma center, STEMI receiving center, and comprehensive stroke center with over 70,000 annual visits under the supervision of attending physicians, ensuring complete and precise electronic medical records. - Supported provider workflow efficiency by pre-charting patient histories (HPI), organizing diagnostic and treatment data, and reducing physician documentation burden. - Developed proficiency in medical terminology, human anatomy, and EMR systems while observing clinical decision-making across internal medicine, psychiatry, and surgical specialties. - Collaborated closely with physicians, nurses, and allied health professionals through two to

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Clinical Research Assistant

THE OSTEOPOROSIS MEDICAL CENTER

Sep 2025 - Current (1 year 1 month)

- Contributed to clinical research under Dr. Stuart Silverman, M.D., focusing on musculoskeletal and rheumatologic disorders. - Assisted with a study examining patient perspectives on artificial intelligence in bone health care. - Recruited and screened DEXA scan patients and non-DEXA community volunteers; ensured informed consent, and synthesized qualitative data from 90-minute focus group sessions, capturing themes on patient attitudes, trust, and perceived clinical value of AI tools. - Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams on research related to quality of life, treatment adherence, and chronic pain management.

Pre-Operation Volunteer

Cedars-Sinai

Jul 2025 - Current (1 year 3 months)

- Supported pre-operative care by greeting and escorting patients from the waiting area, assisting with gowning, comfort, and intake setup - Communicated with patient families in the surgical lobby to provide updates and reduce anxiety during procedures - Managed patient belongings prior to surgery, ensuring proper labeling, storage, and coordination with hospital staff - Answered and directed phone calls at the nurse station, relaying time-sensitive messages to staff during high-volume periods - Prepared beds for incoming pre-op patients between cases and restocked medical supplies to support surgical turnover and workflow efficiency - Gained familiarity with hospital systems including surgical schedules and room assignments while maintain

Crisis Counselor

Crisis Text Line

Mar 2025 - Current (1 year 7 months)

- Provided real-time emotional support and de-escalation to individuals in crisis via text, using active listening, empathy, and collaborative problem-solving to de-escalate high stress situations - Assessed risk levels, including suicide ideation, and followed appropriate safety protocols to ensure texter well-being - Worked with texters to develop personalized coping strategies and safety plans, empowering them to navigate immediate emotional distress - Completed over 30 hours of intensive training in reflective listening, risk assessment, and crisis intervention techniques - Maintained confidentiality and upheld ethical standards in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment while supporting diverse individuals across the U.S. - Worked for 4+

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Production Intern

Mar 2025 - Current (1 year 7 months)

- Assisted in managing YouTube channel with 660k+ subscribers, ensuring timely content uploads in alignment with the production schedule - Operated and maintained professional video recording equipment to ensure high-quality footage - Coordinated filming schedules, managed on-site production logistics, and ensured smooth operation of professional recording equipment - Edited dance covers to promote team using Adobe Premiere Pro

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Official Subunit Leader

Oct 2024 - Current (2 years)

- Facilitated effective communication and collaboration among dancers, videographers, and editors to maintain a positive team dynamic - Led and co-led dance cover projects - Coordinated outfits among members, arranged practices and logistics to meet project deadlines - Selected to perform as exhibition sets for K-Factor 2024 and 2025, a leading collegiate K-pop dance competition in California

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Videographer

Jan 2024 - Current (2 years 9 months)

- Filmed & performed in 24 dance cover videos featured on YouTube Channel @KoreosUCLA, contributing to a collective view count of 384k+

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Office Assistant

PATRICK T. BEZDEK M.D., INC.

Nov 2023 - Current (2 years 11 months)

- Facilitated insurance coordination by contacting insurance companies to verify patient coverage, eligibility, and claims processing, ensuring seamless billing operations - Managed financial transactions, including preparing monthly statements for active patients, posting medical payments, and reconciling accounts for accurate record-keeping through Shrinkrapt, an on-premise medical practice management software - Enhanced office efficiency by handling data entry, appointment scheduling, and patient inquiries, improving workflow, and ensuring a smooth patient experience

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CAE Student Volunteer Notetaker

Sep 2025 - Dec 2025 (4 months)

- Provided accurate, detailed notes for Evolutionary and Ecology Biology 115 (Mammalogy), ensuring timely and accessible course materials for students with disabilities.

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Videography Leadership Board

KBM Dance UCLA

Sep 2022 - Jun 2024 (1 year 10 months)

- Operated and maintained professional video recording equipment to ensure high-quality footage - Collaborated with team members on choreography, filming logistics, and video direction to produce engaging dance content - Danced and filmed a total of 24 dance covers on YouTube Channel @KBMDanceUCLA with 16.4k subscribers using professional recording devices

Consulting Intern

IQVIA

Jun 2021 - Oct 2021 (5 months)

- Helped research and create pharmaceutical marketing campaign presentations. - Supported project planning, timeline tracking, and content development for pharmaceutical campaigns. - Translated presentation, "Disease Reports with In-depth Insights in China," from Mandarin to English. - Researched and gained insights into the pharmaceutical industry market, analyzing key factors influencing pharmaceutical marketing and clinical research strategies. - Gained knowledge of various pharmaceutical and marketing terminologies, enhancing understanding of global healthcare commercialization and regulatory frameworks.

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Shirley Cao

About

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Behavioral traits