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Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Major Jobs Graduate School Acceptances 2020

biochemistry & molecular biology

biochemistry & molecular biology

Molly Sternick

Major: biochemistry & molecular biology
Hometown: Latrobe, Pennsylvania
Graduate School: West Virginia University School of Medicine
Field of Study: medicine

How has Dickinson prepared you for life after graduation?

Dickinson has greatly prepared me for life after graduation. At Dickinson, I was able to complete the required prerequisite courses for medical school while conducting ample research, engaging in extracurricular activities, and leading an athletic team.

What are you most anticipating about your career or post-graduate pursuits?

I am excited to further my education during medical school to become the doctor that I have always dreamed of becoming.

What are some of the defining moments of your Dickinson experience?

I loved my experience on the Dickinson Women’s Swim Team. It was the highlight of my time at Dickinson.

Internship Experience

Following my sophomore year, I completed a research internship at Dickinson College under the supervision of Professor Connor. My research involved the mutation, expression, and purification of proteins as well as the synthesis of inhibitory chemicals. After my junior year, I conducted research through the American Heart Association Undergraduate Student Fellowship at Penn State College of Medicine. My research assessed the effect of opioids on the respiratory response and the efficacy of naloxone.

Thai Uyen Dinh

Majors: biochemistry & molecular biology, neuroscience
Hometown: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Graduate School: Saint Louis University School of Medicine
Field of Study: medicine

How has Dickinson prepared you for life after graduation?

My education at Dickinson has provided me with not only technical knowledge and skills but also adaptability and resilience. Growing in such a diverse and inclusive community has led me to keep an open mind and appreciate individual differences. I've learned to stand up for myself, communicate effectively with people and cope with stress, all of which are important for my life after college.

What are you most anticipating about your career or post-graduate pursuits?

I'm more than excited to venture into the world of medicine, where I can learn about the human body and equip myself with the necessary skills to help people.

What are some of the defining moments of your Dickinson experience?

My abroad semester in Queensland, Australia was definitely my favorite! I had the opportunity to visit various cities and landscapes, learned about the Aboriginal life, and embraced the Asian-influenced but diverse modern Australian culture that I had not known of. 

Internship Experience

I served as a Research Assistant in Professor Connor's (Dickinson College, Chemistry Department) lab on heat-shock protein during the summer of my freshman year. In the summer of my sophomore year, I participated in an Undergraduate Cancer Research Fellowship at the University of Colorado Cancer Center. Junior summer I shadowed neurosurgeons at a General Hospital in my hometown in Vietnam.

Zoey Miller

Major: biochemistry & molecular biology
Hometown: Newport, Pennsylvania
Graduate School: University of Pennsylvania
Field of Study: pharmacology

How has Dickinson prepared you for life after graduation?

Dickinson has given me numerous opportunities to experience the "real-world." As a science major, this has been vital in growing in and outside of the lab. From on campus research, to being able to secure a prestigious internship at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Dickinson has helped to have a variety of experiences that have made me a well-rounded scholar.

What are you most anticipating about your career or post-graduate pursuits?

I am excited to pursue a Ph.D. in pharmacology, which is the highest degree in my field of study. I am also eager to learn and become a more insightful and knowledgeable scientist.

What are some of the defining moments of your Dickinson experience?

Going abroad to Bologna, Italy was one of the most defining experiences of my life. I had an immense amount of personal growth, both in and outside of the classroom, and I was able to become more confident in my abilities outside of the STEM world. After Bologna, I came back to Dickinson with a defined academic identity and the feeling that I could conquer anything. Another defining moment in my life was when I traveled to the Journal of Leukocyte Biology Society Annual Meeting in Boston, Mass. this past November with Assistant Professor of Biology Tiffany Frey and another research student. Together we presented our data to scientists from all over the world. They were extremely impressed with the level of rigor of our research and commended our work. For the first time, it felt that our research being done at a small liberal arts school truly mattered and was relevant in the eyes of the scientific community.

Is there any other information you would like us to know?

Coming to Dickinson has been the most important decision in my life so far. It has pushed me to be the best version of myself every single day, and for that I am grateful. I will leave the limestone walls not only as a smarter student, but a more thoughtful and aware person. I wouldn't trade my 3.75 years at Dickinson for anything.

Internship Experience

During my time at Dickinson, I had an internship at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (Philadelphia, Pa.) for two summers in a row doing biomedical research in the pathology department.

Lauren Woznicki

Major: biochemistry & molecular biology
Hometown: Media, Pennsylvania
Graduate School: Arcadia University
Field of Study: physical therapy

How has Dickinson prepared you for life after graduation?
 
Dickinson taught me the ways in which I work best, whether that when there are multiple assignments that need my attention at one time, or if I must plan for deadlines that are coming. My academic time at Dickinson taught me to never be afraid to ask for help and to ask questions when things are unclear. My overall time at Dickinson truly taught me that the people you surround yourself with make moments even better and communicating with others is the most important thing you can do, and I feel as though this is a great skill to carry into my work in the medical field.
 
What are you most anticipating about your career or post-graduate pursuits?
 
Having the opportunity to help others through providing therapy, as well as expand my knowledge of the field.
 
What are some of the defining moments of your Dickinson experience?
 
As a member of the Women's Swim Team, one of the best moments of my Dickinson experience was when we, as a team, reached the milestone of achieving 50 consecutive semesters of Scholar All-American. This award meant a lot to the team members, as we felt as though we not only carried the legacy on, but we achieved a major milestone. Additionally, having the opportunity to work for Admissions as a Liberty Cap has been very special.
 
Internship Experience
 
  •    Vincera Institute research intern - Philadelphia, Pa. - assisted a hip surgeon in on-site research.
  •    Good Shepherd Penn Partners in-patient therapy aide - Philadelphia, Pa. - assisted PTs and OTs in daily rehabilitation activities and aided patients whenever needed.

Ryan Murphy

Major: biochemistry & molecular biology
Hometown: West Pittston, Pennsylvania
Graduate School: Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine
Field of Study: biomedical sciences

What are you most anticipating about your career or post-graduate pursuits?
 
I'm excited to prepare myself for medical school and be a physician that will hopefully help improve healthcare in the U.S.
 
What are some of the defining moments of your Dickinson experience?
 
Being a varsity track and field athlete. I walked on during my first year and fell in love with the program. Some of my best friends are my teammates and it has challenged me in so many ways, ultimately making me a better person. Also, my Spanish for the Health Professions course gave me the chance to be an interpreter for Spanish-speaking patients. I've grown more passionate about medicine and am highly motivated to be a bilingual physician one day. Studying abroad in Spain greatly helped me interpret for patients.
 
Internship Experience
 
  • National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Md.: I completed a clinical research project in the summer before my senior year at the NIH. Specifically, I worked in the National Cancer Institute's Endocrine Oncology branch and studied a disease called primary hyperaldosteronism.
  • UPMC Pinnacle Community Osteopathic Hospital in Harrisburg, Pa.: I had the opportunity to shadow physicians and other healthcare providers for eight weeks in the summer after my sophomore year. It was a wonderful opportunity that solidified my interest in medicine.

Sarah Benziger

Major: biochemistry & molecular biology
Hometown: Yardley, Pennsylvania
Employer: Chandler Hall Health Services
Job title: certified nursing assistant

Job Responsibilities

Provide basic care to patients and assist with activities of daily living that they cannot perform in their own
 
How has Dickinson prepared you for life after graduation?
 
It has prepared me by teaching me time management, as well as being independent and using the resources you are given.
 
What are you most anticipating about your career or post-graduate pursuits?
 
I hope to eventually return to graduate school for masters in physician assistant after a year or two of working.
 
What are some of the defining moments of your Dickinson experience?
 
The relationships I’ve grown with professors and my athletic experience as member of women’s lacrosse team.
 

Elisa Martinez

Majors: biochemistry & molecular biology, neuroscience
Hometown: Gurnee, Illinois
Employer: Tempus Labs
Job title: clinical abstractor

Job Responsibilities

For medical research purposes or to create medical recognition programs, medical abstractors analyze and compile medical information based on paper and electronic charts; patient and physician interviews; and various other sources. In this position, you examine codes and charts, and investigate information that might be missing. Using your coding and research skills, you compile reports that help researchers or physicians prevent diseases or recognize common characteristics for life-threatening diseases.

How has Dickinson prepared you for life after graduation?
 
I have learned so many research techniques and feel confident in my science background. I feel ready for a science or medical based job.
 
What are you most anticipating about your career or post-graduate pursuits?
 
I am excited to apply to medical school this summer.
 
What are some of the defining moments of your Dickinson experience?
 
I enjoyed my extracurriculars and finding people who shared the same passions or interests as me.
 
Internship Experience
Neuroscience research program at the University of Minnesota - Completed original research on the function of mitochondria in the development of Huntington’s disease pathology.
 

Delaney Ahn

Major: biochemistry & molecular biology
Hometown: Macungie, Pennsylvania
Employer: National Institute of Health
Job title: researcher in Pediatric Translational Medicine

Alana Platukus

Major: biochemistry & molecular biology
Hometown: Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania
Employer: National Institute of Health (NIH)
Job title: Intramural Research Training Award (IRTA) trainee

Job Responsibilities
 
I will be a part of a translational research group at the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) at the NIH, performing laboratory research on systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis and other diseases of auto-inflammation.
 
How has Dickinson prepared you for life after graduation?
 
Dickinson has not only prepared me academically, but has also provided me with necessary information I will need in order to apply to medical school in the future. It has also provided me with research experience on campus that will aid me in my position following graduation. Finally, Dickinson has taught me how to be independent which will prepare me to live on my own following graduation.
 
What are you most anticipating about your career or post-graduate pursuits?
 
I am anticipating exposure to higher level science which will benefit me when I decide to further my academic career.
 
What are some of the defining moments of your Dickinson experience?
 
My memories on the Dickinson Field Hockey team, as a student researcher, as a biochemistry & molecular biology major, and as a member of Pi Beta Phi.
 
Internship Experience
 
I was a research intern at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine in Scranton, Pa. and performed biochemistry laboratory research.
 

Lauren Kageler

Major: biochemistry & molecular biology
Hometown: Harare, Zimbabwe
Employer: Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard
Job title: research associate

Job Responsibilities

Working as a research associate in a cancer biology research laboratory.
 
How has Dickinson prepared you for life after graduation?
 
My academics, relationships with peers, faculty and staff, my on-campus jobs and my extracurricular activities have all provided me with a diverse range of tangible skills. I will be able to apply my academic knowledge with the other leadership, communication and teamwork skills to any future settings.
 
What are you most anticipating about your career or post-graduate pursuits?
 
I am looking forward to learning more and increasing my skill base.
 
What are some of the defining moments of your Dickinson experience?
 
Certain classes that made me realize what I was truly passionate about; reflections from professors and people I worked with at Dickinson that made me realize my strengths; and my interactions with my peers and friends.
 
Internship Experience
 
  •    Archipelagos Institute, Greece - marine conservation research intern.
  •    Diagnopath Medical Laboratories, Harare, Zimbabwe - student intern.
  •    Hastings Laboratory, Baltimore, Md. - research assistant.

Katie Koczirka

Majors: biochemistry & molecular biology, neuroscience
Hometown: Westwood, Massachusetts
Employer: Boston Children's Hospital
Job title: research assistant
 
Job Responsibilities
 
Evaluating melanoma and hematopoiesis in zebrafish models.
 
How has Dickinson prepared you for life after graduation?
 
Provided access to student-faculty research, taught me the importance of engaging with mentors, helped learn to think creatively and critically, encouraged me to be independent.   
   
What are you most anticipating about your career or post-graduate pursuits?
 
I'm excited to learn about a field I am deeply interested in. Not only do I expect to be challenged, but to grow intellectually.
 
Internship Experience
 
Boston Children's Hospital
  • Used zebrafish to investigate how lineage specific transcription factors direct the binding of signaling transcription factors to enhancer regions on chromatin.
  • Worked to establish a line of zebrafish reporters for the visualization of melanoma cells with activated TGF-b signaling using zebrafish microinjection, electroporation and fluorescent microscopy.

Brigette Stickney

Major: biochemistry & molecular biology
Hometown: Butler, Pennsylvania
Employer: Peace Corps
Job title: teacher

Job Responsibilities

Secondary school teacher in Tanzania.

How has Dickinson prepared you for life after graduation?

I have gained an incredible liberal arts education. As a pre-med student, I have been able to drastically improve my knowledge in the sciences, but I have also been able to learn information from a variety of other important fields that will make me a more well-rounded doctor with better patient skills and knowledge of the social factors that my patients' health is impacted by, not just the biomedical factors. I will be able to treat patients more holistically. In addition, I have gained valuable global experiences. In having travelled abroad to India and Tanzania through study abroad programs, I have been able to learn about healthcare in other countries and how people navigate health systems in different contexts. This will once again improve my ability to treat patients in the future by understanding health in different cultural contexts. I have also gained invaluable leadership experience. Through a variety of different programs on campus, I have been able to hold leadership positions. These leadership positions in Outing Club, the Outdoor Education House, Campus Rec, First Year Mentors, WILD Leaders and more, I have been able to improve my future ability to work in and hold leadership positions in my future.
 
What are you most anticipating about your career or post-graduate pursuits?
 
I hope to enter Peace Corps for two years and attend medical school afterwards.
 
What are some of the defining moments of your Dickinson experience?
 
Outing Club Trips, Service Trips, studying abroad and my internship experience are some of the defining moments of my Dickinson experience. In leading my first backpacking trip through the Outing Club, I first realized my leadership potential. In participating in and leading Dickinson Service Trips I have been able to reflect on myself and how I can best help the communities that I live and work in throughout my life. Studying abroad with Dickinson's Ethnographic Field School in Tanzania and School for International Training's program: Public Health, Gender, and Community Action taught me more than I could have ever imagined about myself, others, and my purpose in healthcare. Finally, my internship with Comprehensive Rural Health Project was funded through Dickinson's internship notation program, and this was also an incredible opportunity where I was able to gain so much more knowledge of non-profit community health organizations and my future involvement in community health.
 
Internship Experience
 
Comprehensive Rural Health Project (Jamkhed, India)
 
I assisted village health workers with their diabetes project lessons and took down diabetes patient info to be logged into electronic records. I wrote grant proposals, volunteered at the Joyful Learning Preschool, created blog and social media posts, logged hospital data into electronic records and completed an internship practicum course.
 

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Published May 21, 2020

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