Leader

Hii~~~! I’m CHENG OI HO, but you can call me Anca~! I’m currently a junior who loves the environment!
I lived in Okinawa for six years—it was like a dream within a dream, a place where anyone would think this is what nature truly is, a real oasis of the natural world. At the time, I took those landscapes for granted. But when I returned to China for high school and began serious studies, I was struck by the contrast. I was shocked by the absence of stars in the night sky, and it made me realize: the nature in Okinawa must be cherished and protected. That moment sparked my deep interest in nature and the environment.
As I decided I wanted to contribute to the environment, I began searching for a meaningful way to act. After much brainstorming, I realized that simply telling people how sick our planet is—or persuading them to reduce their carbon footprint—wasn’t enough. Real change could come from creating products that reduce the burden on the environment. That’s when I discovered iGEM, the perfect place to try making solutions that are both creative and eco-friendly, while also testing whether this is the path I want to pursue in the future.
Through iGEM, I had the opportunity to lead a wonderful team. As a leader, I’ve learned so much from my members—how to communicate kindly, manage a group, share ideas, and decide on the right direction together. I also took on responsibility behind the scenes: attending leader meetings, organizing tasks, and helping with the hard work. It was truly training for me, and through it I also discovered my real teammates. They are so sweet, and our teamwork has been amazing!
Together, we completed a journey that started from nothing and grew into something meaningful. We produced PHA microbeads—tiny in size, but powerful in safeguarding marine life—offering a sustainable alternative to microplastics. This project was not just a scientific challenge, but also a chance to grow as a leader, a teammate, and a person who is determined to protect the environment.