Growing up in a rural village near Siem Reap, Cambodia, Lissa lived predominantly with her grandmother and siblings while her mother worked in Thailand to support their family. Recognized for her academic excellence, Lissa was selected for a month-long exchange program in Australia, where she taught English at an elementary school and established an organic garden for the local community. Serving on the Student Council and organizing the school’s Model United Nations club are some of her notable leadership experiences. Lissa has long-term goals of restructuring the public health system and advocating for health education to prevent tragedies similar to the loss of her father, who passed away from an undetected illness.