Topeka Collegiate Announces 2021 Graduation Speaker: Dr. Asona Lui

Topeka Collegiate is thrilled to announce that Dr. Asona Lui, a member of the 2001 Topeka Collegiate graduating class, will speak at the Class of 2021 Graduation Ceremony on May 27 at 2200 SW Eveningside Drive, Topeka, Kansas, 66614. 

Dr. Lui was born in Topeka, Kansas and is the daughter of Dr. Nason Lui and Monique Pittman-Lui. 

After attending Topeka Collegiate from Prekindergarten through 8th grade, Asona chose Lake Forest Academy in Lake Forest, Illinois for her high school experience (2001-2005).  Asona then went on to receive her BA in African Studies and Pre-Medical Studies from Washington University in St. Louis in 2009.  During her studies at Washington University, Asona was a participant in the John B. Ervin Scholars Program.  The John B. Ervin Scholars Program focuses on four pillars—academic excellence, leadership, community service, and diversity.  

Asona states that she knew from the age of 10 that she wanted to heal people, and that it was at Washington University “where I had my first taste of research.” 

After leaving St. Louis, Asona chose to conduct 2 full years of research in Chicago and ultimately received a Master's Degree in Biology from Chicago State University (CSU) in 2011.  Her work on T-cell differentiation in the laboratories of mentor Dr. Rong Lucy He at CSU and with collaborator Dr. Richard Ye at The University of Illinois Chicago, confirmed to Asona that she wanted research to be a part of her future career. 

“I discovered that while I still wanted to heal patients,” said Dr. Asona Lui. “I also wanted to change the lives of more people than the limited number I can see on a day-to-day basis in the clinic.”

Asona is a 2019 graduate of the University of Kansas School of Medicine Physician Scientist Training Program.  At KU Med, Asona completed her MD and PhD in Cancer Biology. Her research is focused on the role of innate immune signaling in driving breast cancer treatment resistance. She completed her Internship at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York in 2020 at the peak of the COVID19 pandemic, and is now a resident physician in the Department of Radiation Oncology at the University of California San Diego.

We look forward to Dr. Asona Lui’s inspiring remarks which will include navigating the rigors of a pandemic, while also sharing the life lessons she learned at Topeka Collegiate and the lessons she’s learned from her own life experiences that have led to her success.

Due to Eagles360 precautions, guests are limited at this event. If you would like more information, please email sayhello@topekacollegiate.org.