To say Gloria Xue’s interests in medicine are diverse would be an understatement. Scientific research, leadership, teaching and treatment of skin cancers are all areas she hopes to blend into a rewarding medical career.
As a student in the Medical Scientist Training Program at the Indiana University School of Medicine, Xue is well on her way. She is working toward a dual MD/PhD degree, studying microbiology and immunology and conducting research in the laboratory of Matthew J. Turner, MD, PhD.
A decorated student leader, Xue has served on Medical Student Council at IU School of Medicine since 2021, starting as a regional representative from IU School of Medicine—Northwest-Gary. Xue was named the 2022 IU School of Medicine Distinguished Peer Advocate for first-year students, and she received the 2023 Visionary Leadership Award for her work toward equitable study resources for all IU medical students statewide.
Now Xue is taking peer advocacy to the national level.
In November, Xue became the national chair of the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Organization of Student Representatives after holding other elected positions within the organization. OSR, the student branch of the AAMC, represents medical students enrolled in the 165 accredited U.S. medical schools.
“It’s really exciting to be able to represent student voices, especially coming from IU — the biggest medical school in the U.S.,” Xue said. “There are so many diverse voices here, and it’s important they are heard.”
OSR’s national priorities include addressing the cost of medical education, the transition to residency, medical student wellness, diversity initiatives, government relations, educational innovation, professional development and humanism in medicine.
“The value for the average medical student is connecting them to resources, amplifying their voices, and creating opportunities to work together toward a stronger academic community,” Xue said.
Four other IU medical students serve alongside Xue, representing their respective classes: Aditi Sood (2025), Ryan Bolda (2026), Erin O’Farrell (2027) and Layla Ahmadi (2028).
In addition to her national role with the OSR, Xue is a leader with the IU School of Medicine Dermatology Student Interest Group and organizes skin clinic days at the Student Outreach Clinic in downtown Indianapolis.
“First and foremost, she cares about her fellow medical students and is committed to improving medical education,” said Turner, Xue’s PhD advisor. “Her intelligence, interpersonal skills, work ethic and desire to solve problems combine to make her a good student leader.”
Tackling problems in medical education and medical science
As Xue continues her training to become a physician scientist, Turner provides an excellent example.
“Dr. Turner does a fantastic job with balancing clinical time and research time,” Xue said. “He is so empathetic with his patients and provides compassionate care while also making time for securing research funds, mentoring me as a student, and dedicating time for his science.”
While Turner predominantly studies atopic dermatitis, Xue’s research interests started with a cancer diagnosis — her mother’s. When she was an elementary school student, Xue inquisitively observed her mother’s successful treatment for thyroid cancer.
Curious about the biology of cancer as a high school student, Xue seized a student research opportunity working with Bryan Schneider, MD, the Vera Bradley Professor of Oncology and program leader for precision genomics at IU School of Medicine. She continued conducting breast cancer research with Schneider throughout her time as an undergraduate student at Indiana University.
In 2016 — the year she graduated from Carmel High School — Xue published her first paper with Schneider and other IU researchers in the cancer journal Oncotarget. She has since published eight more papers, including metastatic breast cancer research with Tarah Ballinger, MD, the Vera Bradley Foundation Scholar in Breast Cancer Research at IU School of Medicine. Ballinger and Schneider are both members of the IU Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Xue, who has presented her research at several national meetings, connected with her current mentor through the IMPRS summer research program following her first year of medical school, pivoting her research interests to skin cancer.
“Dr. Turner was using this cool technology that I wanted to use to look at melanoma progression,” Xue said. “I’m interested in the interaction between immunology and dermatology.”
Xue immediately impressed Turner with her eagerness and ability to master new concepts quickly.
“She is a natural problem solver,” he said.
That passion for problem solving extends beyond the lab and into Xue’s national role with OSR, where she aims to advance and enhance all aspects of medical student education.
After graduating from the eight-year Medical Scientist Training Program, Xue envisions a career in academic medicine, allowing her to combine her interests in research, informatics, clinical care and institutional improvement.
“I want to become a physician scientist and stay involved in medical education,” Xue said. “I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to experience integrated training here at IU.”
