Resilience in Motion: Moving Forward With Purpose and Heart
Student Snapshot: Annelyse Warner ’26
Annelyse Warner ’26 is a biochemistry & molecular biology major and student-athlete from Maine who’s preparing for a career in medicine. The first in her family to graduate from college, she faced numerous challenges as she balanced advanced labs, swim meets, extracurriculars and work as tour guide and Admissions Fellow, but she learned to thrive. She even found time to study abroad in New Zealand, where she took part in an exhilarating four-day hiking trip with friends, and was part of Dickinson’s first class to work with human cadavers, an exceptional opportunity for undergraduates exploring careers in medicine.
Hometown:
Buxton, Maine.
High school:
Bonny Eagle High School.
Major:
Biochemistry & molecular biology.
Clubs and organizations:
Varsity women’s swimming, Hera Society, Girl Gains, Trendsetters, Admissions Fellow, Liberty Cap Society (tour guides), Pi Beta Ph, and Pre-Health Society
Best thing about my major:
The professors. They constantly push us to design our own experiments and find our own answers. Rather than just teaching information, they encourage us to think like scientists and explore ideas independently. They also genuinely care about us. They are always asking me about my swim meets and how my extracurricular activities are going.
On choosing Dickinson:
When I first visited Dickinson, I instantly fell in love with the campus, and I got that cliche “gut feeling” everyone talks about. What really sealed it for me, though, were the people I met. During Accepted Students Weekend, I spoke with so many incredible students and faculty. Someone from admissions sincerely helped me think through my options and took time to understand my goals, rather than just persuading me to attend. That moment showed me that at Dickinson, people genuinely care about you as a person.
Favorite class/learning experience:
Human Anatomy with Associate Professor of Biology Tiffany Frey. I was part of the very first Human Anatomy class ever offered at Dickinson. What made it my favorite was not only my fascination with the human musculoskeletal system, but also the incredible hands-on learning experience. Our class had just 24 students, and we had access to two human cadavers, creating a unique learning environment. It's very rare for undergraduate students to have the opportunity to work with human cadavers, let alone have a student-to-cadaver ratio of 12:1.
Our lab practicals were designed to mirror the types of exams students take in graduate programs, which made the experience even more valuable. The course gave me a realistic look at what graduate school might be like and helped confirm that pursuing that path is something I truly want to do.
Favorite professor:
Professor of Biology David Kushner. I took his Microbiology course last semester and was really nervous going into it, because I knew it would be challenging on top of a busy schedule. However, he made it one of my favorite classes. He is incredibly understanding and genuinely cares about his students, creating a supportive environment that made the course much more manageable. I also learned so much more than microbiology. I learned skills and perspectives that I know will carry forward into my professional life.
On studying abroad:
I studied abroad in Dunedin, New Zealand, and it was the best part of my Dickinson experience. I took courses in microbiology, human nutrition, statistics, and Māori society. Studying at the University of Otago was an incredible experience because it gave me a taste of the bigger college feel, with some classes having over 300 students. I also joined the Flag Football Club Team, which introduced me to an amazing group of people and made my experience even more memorable.
What really made my time in New Zealand special was the opportunity to travel around the country on weekends. The country is big enough that you can’t see everything, but small enough that many major attractions are relatively close. One trip I absolutely loved was completing a 72 kilometer hike on the Greenstone and Caples Track. It was a four-day backpacking trip that I went on with a group of friends, and it was one of the most surreal experiences of my life. I saw incredible scenery and had to really push myself to complete the challenge of hiking through such beautiful but demanding terrain.
Post-Dickinson plans:
I’ll be taking a gap year, working as a clinical team assistant at a primary-care clinic while working on applications to physician assistant programs.
Proudest accomplishment so far:
As a first-generation college student, reaching my final semester of college is something I am incredibly proud of. Throughout my time at Dickinson, I have had the opportunity to be involved in many amazing organizations on campus, which has made my experience even more meaningful. I am so grateful for the opportunities I have had, and it means a lot to me to be the first person in my family to graduate from college.
Honors/scholarships/awards:
Mitchell Scholar, a Maine-based scholarship.
Most important thing I’ve learned so far:
The most important thing I have learned is that things tend to work out in the end. During my time at Dickinson, I’ve experienced many ups and downs, and there were moments when things didn’t go the way I had planned. However, those situations often ended up working out better than I could have expected. The hardest lesson has been learning that you have to keep moving forward, even when things feel challenging or uncertain. Pushing through those difficult moments has helped me grow and has shown me that resilience is incredibly important.
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Published April 29, 2026