Catching up with Albert Li, Huntington’s 2005 Valedictorian
Albert Li has never stopped learning since walking off the stage at Huntington High School’s 2005 commencement as valedictorian of his class.
Mr. Li went on to study at Harvard College, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical and physical biology in 2009. The Huntington alum conducted extensive research at Harvard on the receptor for capsaicin, the active compound in hot chili peppers.
His stint at Harvard produced many admirers. From there Mr. Lee headed to New York University’s School of Medicine in Manhattan. After graduating, he completed a transitional year at New York Hospital in Queens, a Cornell affiliated medical center in Flushing. He is currently in the first year of a three year ophthalmology residency at North Shore-LIJ, “taking care of all manner of eye issues both at Manhasset and New Hyde Park.
Mr. Li said he is “proud” to be a Huntington High School alumnus. “There are many teachers whose e-mails have become inactive over the years and there have been many an occasion over the last 9 nine years when I have wanted to write a brief note of gratitude for what they have done for me as influential teachers and persons in my life,” he said. “I’m more than happy to speak with any current students. I’m honored and humbled to have another opportunity to give back to Huntington, which has truly given me so much.”
While a student at NYU School of Medicine, Mr. Li had an opportunity to work on a “teaching case” with his professors, which was later published. “We used a typical patient in the ICU to demonstrate how the heart, lungs, kidneys, etc. work together and underscore how important it is to think of them that way, despite the fact that we learned these topics separately in lectures and on tests.”
Maryann Daly, the Huntington School District’s SEARCH program chairperson-teacher and Math Olympiad team coach remembers Mr. Li as a fifth grader “who had no faith in his abilities and whom I encouraged to stay with me; he did and scored at the top,” she said. “Albert is a gracious young man who is humble, quick to thank everyone who ever helped him and who will succeed in everything he does in life. I am proud to have known such a fine young man.”
An Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction, Mr. Li excelled across the board at Huntington High School. He was the top student in the Class of 2005 and was a National Merit scholarship finalist. He won numerous academic honors including the Alumni Cup, Ameresco, Inc. scholarship, Edna Van Wart Mathematics Award, H2M Group scholarship, Martin Schnittman Award for Physics, Rensselaer Science Medal, Robert K. Toaz Memorial Prize, Spanish Award, American Assn. of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese National Exam Award, Sons of the American Revolution Award, Suffolk County Science Teachers Assn. Award and Tri-M Music Honor Society Leadership Award.
In the 2004 National History Day state competition in Cooperstown, he captured a National Archives and Record Administration Award for his historical paper titled The Exploration, Encounter & Exchange of Ideas in the Framing of the United States Constitution.
Born in New York City, Mr. Li grew up on Long Island and attended school in Huntington from kindergarten through graduation. After graduating from Harvard, he spent a summer in Shanghai teaching science to students from Harvard and Fudan University. During medical school, he volunteered at the New York City Free Clinic as well as with various projects on health literacy, medical student education and clinical research on diabetic retinopathy screening.
In his free time, the Huntington grad enjoys exploring New York City, playing the piano and volunteering with high school students in his church. “I’m excited by the prospect of being able to teach medical students and doctors as part of my future career,” Mr. Li said. “I hope to inspire others.”