Life in the Fast and Slow Lane

Runner, scholar makes tracks in research

September 25, 2007

Caitlin Strahota '08, a member of the Dickinson College cross country and track and field teams, is on course for medical school and a career in heath care.

For Caitlin Strahota '08, life is all about setting the right pace.

A runner for eight years, Strahota is co-captain of Dickinson College's perennially successful women's cross country team. She logs 50 miles a week and, in competition, is among the team's top five runners with a personal best time of 19:30 at 5,000 meters.

"She is the epitome of a student athlete," says her coach, Don Nichter. "Caitlin's been special from day one."

Strahota, who also is a member of the college's track and field team, is just as methodical and successful in class, though her goal—at least with a research project—is to slow things down.

Of mice and metabolism

"She is exceptional," says Charles Zwemer, associate professor of biology and Strahota's mentor in the summer student-faculty research project in which they studied the role of a compound that lowers the metabolic activity of mice—research that one day could yield benefits to humans when undergoing surgery. "She has a real solid set of skills that transfer well in the laboratory."

Strahota, a biology major, says her interest in running meshes well with her research and her plans, which include attending medical school and pursuing a career in health care.

"My research and interests go together well with my interest in athletics," says Strahota, a Wellsboro, Pa., resident who was born in Milwaukee, Wis. "They both involve recovery and nutrition."

The research on mice has produced "an exciting and potentially therapeutic strategy" for treating people, Zwemer says. "It's been an interesting look at how we could extend survival times in terms of critical-care medicine."

Through "careful data management" and asking "good questions," she has contributed to the success in the ongoing research, Zwemer adds.

'A strong leader'

Strahota's ability to accurately and diligently follow instructions extends beyond the lab.

"She a very strong leader," says Beth Cunningham, assistant cross country coach. "Anytime we ask any of the runners to do something, Caitlin is the first to do it."

Over the summer, the runners prepared for the fall season by racking up miles in accordance with a specific training schedule.

"Caitlin did it exactly as planned," Cunningham says.

For Strahota, running is not a dreaded chore. It's an ingrained and integral part of her life, as natural as walking, eating and sleeping.

"Running gives me an outlet for life's daily stress," she says. "It gives me time for myself, and the opportunity to push my limits."