Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Major Jobs and Graduate School Acceptances 2021

lab research

Abigail Marriott '16 (left) and La Niece Carpenter '16 get down to work in a Rector Hall lab. Photo by Tony Moore.

Tao Xu

Majors: biochemistry & molecular biology, neuroscience
Hometown: Rockville, Maryland
Graduate School: Harvard University School of Medicine
Field of study: master of medical sciences in immunology

How has Dickinson prepared you for life after graduation?

The rigorous curriculum as well as many research experiences I have had at Dickinson have prepared me well for getting into graduate schools and for potential academic growth in graduate school. My professors are very supportive of whatever goals I want to pursue, and their encouragement and help mean a lot to me. Dickinson is truly a place of global culture and education, where I feel very welcomed as an international student and always have the space to achieve more.

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

I’m most interested in immunology in biomedical science, and having the opportunity to be trained at one of the world's best immunology departments is exciting. I hope to learn more things for my future research career.

Internship Experience

I interned at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, where I conducted lab research on endothelial permeability control during acute lung injury (summer 2018). I also interned at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, where I conducted clinical research on severe mental illness and its community support (summer 2019).

Katelyn Keefer

Majors: biology, biochemistry & molecular biology
Hometown: West Chester, Pennsylvania
Graduate School: Ohio State University
Field of study: veterinary medicine

How has Dickinson prepared you for life after graduation?

Dickinson has assisted me in completing my course requirements for vet school and enabled me to get very broad vet experiences.

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

I am excited to start vet school, as I have been working hard to achieve this goal.

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

My time at Dickinson was full of growth. All the experiences I gained while at Dickinson will help me in the future. A few defining moments would be the vet experiences I gained through Dickinson, the research symposium and the professors I had.

Internship Experience

I interned at the Carlisle Small Animal Veterinary Clinic in Carlisle, Pa. I was the animal care specialist and was responsible for assisting the doctors and the vet technicians. I also worked the reception desk.

Lexie Tymikiw

Major: biochemistry & molecular biology
Hometown: Parsippany, New Jersey
Graduate School: Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine
Field of study: dental

How has Dickinson prepared you for life after graduation?

Taught me to be more open minded about topics and how to have uncomfortable conversations.

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

Becoming a dentist.

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

Joining Delta Nu.

Sydney Dumont

Major: biochemistry & molecular biology
Hometown: Ipswich, Massachusetts
Employer: Massachusetts General Hospital
Job title: research technician

How has Dickinson prepared you for life after graduation?

I feel fully prepared for life after graduation because of all the support and connections I have gotten from my involvement in Greek life, and my major and minor at Dickinson!

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

After working for a few years in the research lab at Mass General, I am anticipating going to graduate school to get my masters or Ph.D. in molecular biology or cancer biology.

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

Studying abroad in both Australia and Toulouse, joining Greek life, volunteering with Admissions and helping out during the open houses in April! I always felt super connected and proud of Dickinson and all I was able to accomplish.

Internship Experience

I completed a mini internship during my time abroad in Toulouse, France. I shadowed and assisted an entrepreneur and biochemist in the creation of a fermented beverage from raspberries. I learned and built on my knowledge of French, fermentation chemistry, entrepreneurship and sustainability.

Sophie Kivlehan

Major: biochemistry & molecular biology
Hometown: Allentown, Pennsylvania
Employer: The Dana Farber Cancer Institute
Job title: research associate

Job Responsibilities

I will work with a Ph.D. scientist on various cancer immunology research projects. We will perform liquid biopsy to augment precision medicine and immune profiling to characterize patients treated with checkpoint blockade.

How has Dickinson prepared you for life after graduation?

I've learned how to prioritize. I entered Dickinson as a workaholic, having no balance between schoolwork and the rest of my life. My professors have helped me understand that I can work hard in the lab during the day, and mentally leave everything there in the evening to go live whatever life I choose.

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

I'm excited to be at a large research institute, where I can meet so many people.

Internship Experience

I participated in the externship program in January of 2020. I shadowed Kellyn Madden '19 in a leukemia lab at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

Rebecca Maslanka

Majors: classical studies, biochemistry & molecular biology
Hometown: Princeton, New Jersey
Graduate School: University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine
Field of study: veterinary medicine

How has Dickinson prepared you for life after graduation?

Dickinson gave me the opportunity to double major in two entirely different disciplines, which has expanded my abilities of critical thinking and time management.

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

I am excited to find my passion and niche within veterinary medicine, and my goal is to become an orthopedic surgeon. 

Internship Experience

I interned in the summer of 2019 at the PennVet Working Dog Center as a part of the Dickinson Internship Notation Program. I worked training urban search and rescue dogs and police K9s. My daily duties included completing each of my five dogs' fitness programs, running them through obedience work, searches on rubble piles, agility and other training opportunities.

Bryant Caballero

Major: biochemistry & molecular biology
Hometown: Farmers Branch, Texas
Employer: UPMC
Job title: EMT

Job Responsibilities

Some of my responsibilities will include:

  • Maintain levelheadedness and efficiency to prioritize tasks to save lives and provide medical care.
  • Communicate patient needs using ESO software and hospital codes.
  • Conduct equipment and vehicle inspections to maintain continuous and safe operations.

How has Dickinson prepared you for life after graduation?

One of my favorite college courses, cell biology, fueled my excitement for relating academic material to contemporary scientific inquiry. The beautiful geometries of the cell's cytoskeleton have most definitely piqued my interest in molecular biology. More specifically, the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) kinase pathway still feeds my desire to learn more about the healing process in the broader context of regenerative medicine.

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

Because I revere the success of logical planning and the power of empathy, I will experience the most joy if I pursue a career in medicine. Or at least, engage in research that is oriented in improving human health. It's my calling and I know it!

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

In physiology, I crafted my own protocols and learned to cherish negative results because they conferred changes to my perspective and provided a guide for exploring alternative methods. My physiology work revealed that animals with whom a person has emotionally bonded to can effectively mitigate stress levels and may help prevent cardiovascular diseases in the long run. In physics, I felt prepared because when my experiments failed, I knew to test for variables that antagonized my lab work. Associate Professor of Biology David Kushner’s lab also doubled as the arena in which I interrelated academic material. From conversations with my sociology professor, I learned to see the world anew and challenge common-sense ideas about natural phenomena. And so, I flourish the most when I exercise my knowledge to seek new solutions to longstanding issues. As a resident advisor on campus, I continue to develop my personal accountability and improve my collaborative output; all useful skills that helped me coproduce in the research lab with peers.

Internship Experience

I interned for UPMC's Lifeteam as an EMT in Harrisburg, Pa.

Sooik Son

Majors: biochemistry & molecular biology, environmental studies
Hometown: Andong-si, Republic of Korea
Graduate School: Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health
Field of study: environmental health sciences
Employer: Sunovion Pharmaceuticals
Job title: new product planning intern

How has Dickinson prepared you for life after graduation?

Through my experience at Dickinson, I was exposed to many different courses and opportunities in various departments. I met great professors and people during my time at Dickinson, who helped me greatly to prepare for my career and life beyond Dickinson.

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

I will start my summer internship at Sunovion after graduation. I also plan to continue my studies at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health as an MPH candidate through the 4+1 program that I got from Dickinson.

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

My summer research experiences and summer study abroad in India. I was able to expand my research skills and experience through these opportunities while also being exposed to different environments.

Internship

I did summer research at the State University of New York Upstate Medical University as an undergraduate research assistant in 2019. Last year, I participated in a summer research fellowship program virtually at Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.

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Published April 30, 2021