What is your current position/career?
I am currently a Biomedical Science PhD graduate student at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, where I have been studying the basic science of cell death and how this can be translated for better cancer treatments.
How did Cal Lutheran and/or your biology/chemistry program set you up for success in this position/career?
The undergraduate coursework at Cal Lutheran prepared me for graduate school by giving me a strong foundation of fundamental concepts in biology and chemistry. The academic training also helped shape skills in critical thinking and writing which are really important for any job that someone chooses to pursue.
What skills or proficiencies did you acquire at Cal Lutheran, through your studies or other activities, that you now use in your current position/career?
My time at Cal Lutheran taught me skills in problem solving, communication, effective reading and writing, and time management. These soft skills are all very useful to have as a researcher.
In general, what were some of your favorite aspects of the biology/chemistry program? Such as research, classes, professors, etc.
I found the small courses at Cal Lutheran allowed better interpersonal relationships with professors, making it easier to ask questions and grasp the material. The chemistry and biology major classes are all well designed, engaging, have relevant labs, and taught me material that I actually use in my current position.
What extracurriculars, clubs, or jobs were you involved with at Cal Lutheran? How did these experiences prepare you for your future career?
At Cal Lutheran I participated in undergraduate research, which I think is a valuable extracurricular to pursue for anyone majoring in a STEM field. It’s rare to find small institutions with research programs, so I took advantage of this opportunity and it taught me a lot about real experimentation.