Alumni Spotlight: Marina Shatskikh, '18

Meet Marina Shatskikh ('18), a third-year medical student and former UC Davis Russian major! Marina started her Russian degree for personal reasons, but is now using it in her clinical rotations to help Ukrainian refugees in Ireland receive proper medical care.

What was your major? Why did you choose it?

I got my B.S. in pharmaceutical chemistry to pursue a career in medicine, and my B.A. in Russian to develop my native Russian and engage with the Slavic community on campus and in the greater Sacramento community.

What are you up to now?

After graduating, I worked in research and development at a pharmaceutical company for 3 years. Currently, I'm a third-year medical student, studying abroad in Ireland.

How did your experience at UC Davis prepare you for the next step in your academic/professional journey?

While living abroad in Ireland, and particularly since the start of the war in Ukraine and movement of refugees into the country, I've met countless patients on my clinical rotations where Russian is their main language. The knowledge of Russian that I honed while in the LangLit program at Davis has been indispensable in allowing me to effectively communicate with them and help their medical teams provide proper care. 

What's your advice for someone considering your major?

Regardless of what field you go into, you are bound to meet Russian speakers and knowledge of the language will be beneficial. If you've any interest in either honing your current language base or starting to learn the language for the first time, you won't regret it!

What was your favorite part of your undergraduate program here?

The small class sizes created an opportunity to connect with professors and make lifelong friendships with peers.

What are you most proud of from your undergrad experience?

Co-founding the Nadezhda Clinic, a student-run clinic focused on providing care to the Russian-speaking community of Sacramento.

Do you have a professor or a class you want to shout out?

The Russian film course taught by Dr. Kaminer was my favorite!

What were you involved in outside of class (clubs, internships, etc.)?

I was a researcher in the Department of Chemistry, a Russian department peer advisor, co-founder of the Nadezhda student-run clinic, and member of the Russian Cultural Association and Delta Epsilon Mu fraternity