Interdisciplinary and Engaged Learning
Sofia Willey ‘25
Engaged in Discovery Turning Personal Challenges Into Purpose
Beyond her research, Willey shares her experience to educate others, creating patient resources, mentoring high school students, and advocating for accessibility at Clemson. She recently started medical school specializing in pediatrics, combining her passion for science and service to help children with complex medical conditions. “When I first started this process, I couldn’t find any information on what was wrong with me. So, the ability to actually get to help other people, maybe have a shorter time being diagnosed, was a big plus for me.” Sofia Willey, ‘25
Honors student Sofia Willey ‘25 turned a deeply personal medical journey into a mission to help others. Diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), a rare genetic disorder affecting connective tissue, Willey knows firsthand how long and complex the diagnostic process can be. “I didn’t understand what was happening to me and no one around me did either,” she said. “It becomes a lot of explaining your own problems to your doctor so they can prescribe or help you find what you need.” Motivated by this experience, the Honors Genetics major spent her summer before her senior year conducting research at the Medical University of South Carolina in the lab of Dr. Russell Norris, one of the nation’s leading EDS researchers. Her project examined differences in immune system proteins between patients with and without the disorder, aiming to develop a diagnostic tool that could shorten diagnosis times and improve treatment.
Excerpted from a Clemson News story written by National Scholar Brooke Dillingham.
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