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By Cynthia Hubert

May 12, 2025

Nang Sayoon Noi was 16 years old when she left her homeland in Southeast Asia to attend college in the United States.

“I’m basically on my own now,” Noi said to herself as she arrived in Sacramento with her grandfather. She had come from Myanmar seeking an American education.

“I cried through the entire trip, even though I wanted to study in the United States,” she recalled. “It was very hard.”

This month, Noi will graduate as one of Sacramento State’s top students, earning a nearly perfect GPA while finishing her bachelor of science in Biochemistry. For her accomplishments, she has been named the 2025 Dean’s Award winner in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics.

Deans’ Awards are given at Spring Commencement to the top graduate from each of ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ’s seven academic colleges.

“I wasn’t expecting to receive it,” Noi said of the honor. “There are so many talented and intelligent students within the college, so it was pretty competitive.”

Noi persevered through numerous obstacles on her path to a college degree.

“I have always loved science because it provides logical explanations. I like that science is not subjective.” -- Nang Sayoon Noi, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics Dean's Award recipient

Upon arriving in the United States, she moved in with relatives in Natomas and enrolled at Sacramento City College. Although she had graduated high school back home and spoke English, she struggled at first with classes that went beyond simple memorization and repetition.

“Communication classes, psychology classes, I had never taken anything like those courses back home,” Noi said. Because English was her second language, she had trouble mastering quizzes and assignments. At times, she felt the sting of discrimination.

Every day during her first semester of college, she commuted by bus and foot from Natomas, packing a strawberry jam sandwich for lunch and often wearing her grandmother’s sweaters. She made friends with classmates and respected her professors, but still felt like an outsider. At home, she helped care for her grandparents while juggling her studies.

Things began to come together, however, when Noi transferred to Sacramento State in 2023. She enjoyed her science classes and found mentors who inspired her, including Associate Professor of Chemistry Johannes Bauer.

In Bauer’s lab, which focuses on the molecular basis of the aging process and the impacts of environmental factors, Noi quickly excelled. She earned a ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ grant for summer research, became part of the department’s Honors Program and was a role model for other students. Perhaps most importantly, she found her calling in the chemistry field.

“I have always loved science because it provides logical explanations,” she said. “I like that science is not subjective.”

Bauer, her research mentor, said Noi is “the complete package,” displaying resilience, energy and leadership skills.

“I am particularly impressed with her attitude and commitment,” Bauer said in nominating her for the Dean’s Award. “Sayoon always follows through, never makes any excuses and does not stop until her tasks are done.”

Noi plans to pursue her Ph.D. in molecular and cell biology or biochemistry and foresees a career in research that translates into breakthroughs in human medicine. She also would like to teach and be a mentor.

Wherever her path takes her, she said, she will always treasure her time on ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ’s campus.

“My experience here has been great,” Noi said. “I received a proper mentorship and research experience. The most important thing is that I made a lot of mistakes but was allowed to learn from them, which has been critical for my personal and professional growth.

“I’m so glad I came to ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ. I wouldn’t change that at all.”

Read the inspiring stories of the other Deans' Awards recipients.