Dickinson College
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Major Jobs and Graduate School Acceptances 2022
biochemistry & molecular biology
Rachel Flame
Hometown: Wilmington, Delaware
Employer: LabWare
Job title: associate consultant
Job title: associate consultant
Job responsibilities
Provide consultation services for LabWare LIMS implementation, processes, configuration, reporting and laboratory/business processes.
How has Dickinson prepared you for life after graduation?
I'm able to learn new things very quickly and have interest in learning new things. I was a science major at Dickinson and am now in the technology industry. I'm also able to communicate with others.
What are you most anticipating about your career or postgraduate pursuits?
I'm most excited to see where my career takes me. I'm in a field that is continuing to grow. After what has occurred so far in my short career (science major working at a technology company), I’m excited to see what happens next!
What are some of the defining moments of your Dickinson experience?
My experiences on the women’s tennis team and in Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. Both gave me amazing friendships and memories like no other. Also, doing student-faculty research with Professor of Biology and Walter E. Beach '56 Chair in Sustainability Studies Tom Arnold. I developed a close bond with him that I will never take for granted, and the research will make a change in the world.
Internship experience
I was a presidential fellow for Dickinson.
Chase Weizer
Hometown: Orwigsburg, Pennsylvania
Major: biochemistry & molecular biology
Employer: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Job title: research technician
Job responsibilities
Run experiments, manage laboratory materials and reagents, collaborate with other scientists.
How has Dickinson prepared you for life after graduation?
Gave me the education and tools to gain employment after graduation.
What are you most anticipating about your career or postgraduate pursuits?
Establishing a name for myself in my field.
What are some of the defining moments of your Dickinson experience?
Student-faculty collaborative research, fraternity life.
Joseph Lewis
Hometown: Clinton, New York
Major: biochemistry & molecular biology
Employer: Rome Health
Job title: nursing assistant
Job title: nursing assistant
Job responsbilities
- Answering call buttons and alerting nurses to emergencies.
- Monitoring patient needs and reporting any issues to other healthcare personnel.
- Helping patients with their daily needs, such as eating, bathing, dressing and toileting.
- Ensuring patient comfort by changing bedding, filling water jugs and positioning items so they are in reach.
- Repositioning patients in beds.
- Helping patients move from a bed to a chair or wheelchair and back.
- Assisting with lifting patients from their bed to examination tables, surgical tables or stretchers.
How has Dickinson prepared you for life after graduation?
They have provided the experience necessary to apply to higher education
What are you most anticipating about your career or postgraduate pursuits?
Beginning daily work as soon as possible is my goal.
What are some of the defining moments of your Dickinson experience?
The connections I made along the way that have guided me.
Joanna Courtis
Hometown: Bethesda, Maryland
Major: biochemistry & molecular biology
Employer: National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Job title: postbaccalaureate IRTA (intramural research training award)
Job Responsibilities
I will be working in a two-year position performing full-time research at the NIH. I will be working side-by-side with a PI (principle investigator) on cutting-edge biomedical research.
How has Dickinson prepared you for life after graduation?
Dickinson has prepared me for life after graduation in that I have learned skills and knowledge to achieve my lifelong goals. Dickinson has taught me how to vouch for my own preferences and has taught me to never give up on something that may seem impossible, because truly nothing is.
What are you most anticipating about your career or post-graduate pursuits?
I am really looking forward to being able to use many of the lab techniques I have mastered during my time here at Dickinson in my future position at the NIH. I am also looking forward to building upon the scientific knowledge I have acquired during my four years here in the next chapter of my life, both at the NIH and in my future medical school career path.
What are some of the defining moments of your Dickinson experience?
Some of the most defining moments I have had here at Dickinson have been with my professors. Whether that be something that was found during my student/faculty research or even just between an office hour session. I have come to realize what a lasting impact the professors here have had on me.
Leah Krotee
Hometown: Cambridge, Maryland
Major: biochemistry & molecular biology
Employer: John's Hopkins School of Nursing
Job title: research assistant
Job Responsibilities
Verify and enter data into REDCAP database for patient information collected in South Africa. Study is looking at the impacts of a nurse case management model on multi-drug resistant TB outcomes in patients with and without HIV co-infection in South Africa.
How has Dickinson prepared you for life after graduation?
It has provided me with a strong academic background and has allowed me to meet people of a wide variety of backgrounds beyond what I have experienced previously. Dickinson has made me a well-rounded individual and has given me a global perspective as well as the ability to have an open perspective.
What are you most anticipating about your career or post-graduate pursuits?
I am most anticipating all of the possibilities and opportunities that will be available as well as expanding upon the knowledge, skills and techniques I have built based on the degree that I have pursued and the work that I have put into the last four years here.
What are some of the defining moments of your Dickinson experience?
The time spent with some of my closest friends, both inside and outside the lab.
Internship Experience
Integrated Biotherapeutics: Rockville, Md. Observe and shadow research technicians do general biochemistry techniques including transfections, viral neutralization assays, plaque assay, cell culture, western blotting. Was able to perform DNA purification/extraction, BCA assay and practice with pipetting skills. Performed literature reviews and attended weekly lab meetings.
Tatiana Ulloa
Hometown: Quito, Ecuador
Majors: biochemistry & molecular biology, biology
Employer: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Job title: research technician
Job Responsibilties
Continue the work of a postdoc, which is focused on 3D chromatin architecture. I will be preparing brain samples for further analysis.
How has Dickinson prepared you for life after graduation?
My classes at Dickinson helped me develop soft, as well as technical skills that have been extremely useful in my field of study. For instance, the lab work that we were assigned not only significantly enhanced my scientific knowledge but also taught me how to properly design experiments and carry them through to completion in an organized manner. Additionally, during my time at Dickinson I was encouraged to engage in networking, and this was very useful, as it helped me find a job after I graduated.
What are you most anticipating about your career or post-graduate pursuits?
I am excited to be part of an environment where research is the main focus since I have discovered that this is my passion. I also cannot wait to continue my educational path in science by enrolling in a Ph.D. program in the future.
What are some of the defining moments of your Dickinson experience?
One of the defining moments of my Dickinson experience was my junior year since I decided to do it all online from Ecuador due to COVID. As an international student, I initially thought that it would be a challenging year, but I could not be more thankful for my professors, who showed all their support and made my learning experience an unforgettable one in spite of the unusual circumstances.
Internship Experience
I was a visiting undergraduate student at the University of California, San Francisco, during the summer of 2021. Throughout my stay, I helped a postdoc in the lab with her project, which mainly consisted of B2 cell characterization in the ventricular-subventricular zone of mouse brain samples.
Jocelyn Tran
Hometown: Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
Major: biochemistry & molecular biology
Graduate School: Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health
Field of study: master's in public health, epidemiology
Hannah Herzon
Hometown: Schnecksville, Pennsylvania
Major: biochemistry & molecular biology
Graduate School: George Washington University
Field of study: bioinformatics and molecular biochemistry
How has Dickinson prepared you for life after graduation?
During my years at Dickinson I have gained confidence and independence, grown as a person, learned more about myself, and developed important skills, such as networking/making new connections and time management. I have also become well educated in my field and feel very prepared to continue higher education at my grad school program.
What are you most anticipating about your career or post-graduate pursuits?
I anticipate conducting a lot of research and hopefully publishing research articles. I hope to also get an assistantship after my second semester. I then plan tp pursue a career in biomedical sciences post grad school.
What are some of the defining moments of your Dickinson experience?
Being on the cross country and track team, making many new friends, doing research in Friday Harbor, Wash.
Internship Experience
I conducted research on how pharmacological agents affect cell division in sea urchin embryos. I worked on Dickinson's campus for five weeks and at Friday Harbor Labs, Wash. for three weeks. I also experimented with western blots as well as expansion microscopy in order to enhance the observation of tissue cultures (PK1 and HeLa cells). I also participated in student-faculty collaborative research.
Abigail McGahan
Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina
Major: biochemistry & molecular biology
Employer: Adimab
Job title: predoctoral research associate
Job title: predoctoral research associate
Job Responsibilities
At Adimab, I will be working on research projects that are focused on the development and discovery of antibodies as therapeutic options. This is a two-year program. While working at Adimab, I will work applications for graduate schools.
How has Dickinson prepared you for life after graduation?
Dickinson has prepared me for life after graduation with my research lab experience during my senior year. Doing research in Assistant Professor of Chemistry Colin Rathbun's lab prepared me for job interviews and has given me opportunities to present my research.
What are you most anticipating about your career or post-graduate pursuits?
After I graduate, I anticipate working on my graduate school applications while working at a biotech company. I hope to keep in touch with my professors to continue reviewing papers and research that is being completed.
What are some of the defining moments of your Dickinson experience?
I think one of my defining moments at Dickinson was presenting my research at the Franklin & Marshall intercollegiate chemistry conference this past semester.
Internship Experience
During the summer of 2019, I was a research assistant for a project that studied drug combinations for patients with AML. It was at Levine Cancer Institute in Charlotte, N.C.
Keagan Hesse
Hometown: Carlisle, Pennsylvania
Major: biochemistry & molecular biology
Employer: Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Brigham and Women's Hospital
Job title: research technician
Job Responsibilities
I will be working in the Joung lab at the Harvard and MGH Cancer Center. This lab focuses on developing genetic and epigenetic editing technologies, like CRISPR.
How has Dickinson prepared you for life after graduation?
If it weren’t for Dickinson, I never would’ve gotten my internship at Lonza, which means I never would’ve fallen in love with research and decided to pursue a career in research. In addition to this, student-faculty research with Associate Professor of Biology Michael Roberts has helped me know that my passion is cancer research and has inspired me to follow that path. The techniques, lab and personal skill I’ve learned in the lab and around campus have helped me get my foot in the door at many places and gotten me many new contacts that will help me achieve my goals
What are you most anticipating about your career or post-graduate pursuits?
I would like to pursue a career in cancer research; I’m currently hoping to get into an M.D./Ph.D. program after my gap years. After this, I’d like to have my own lab conducting cancer/genetic research.
What are some of the defining moments of your Dickinson experience?
One of my most significant defining moments has just been the people I have met along the way, professors and students. Being a member of the Dickinson community has brought me countless memories and friends that will last a lifetime.
Internship Experience
Lonza-Walkersville, Inc.: while interning at Lonza I had the opportunity to work for the now associate director of research and development, Candice Stumbaugh `03. I worked closely with the RND team to develop new assays for the detection of bacterial toxins.
Jacquelyn Curtis
Hometown: Schuylkill Haven, Pennsylvania
Majors: biochemistry & molecular biology, neuroscience
Employer: Massachusetts General Hospital
Job title: research technician I
Job Responsibilities
I will be working in a gastrointestinal cancer research lab that is looking at new therapies to treat these cancers.
How has Dickinson prepared you for life after graduation?
I was able to get on-campus jobs, which were very helpful as it was a work environment. Almost all of my classes also had information imperative to being able to properly do the job that I have.
What are you most anticipating about your career or post-graduate pursuits?
I am on a track to medical school, which is something I never thought I could do until I was at Dickinson.
What are some of the defining moments of your Dickinson experience?
During lockdown, I was diagnosed with narcolepsy. The amount of support from my fellow students, from faculty, from ADS throughout the rest of my time here, whenever dealing with my symptoms, was absolutely incredible. I will never forget it.
Cami Meckley
Hometown: Hanover, Pennsylvania
Major: biochemistry & molecular biology
Employer: UPMC Hanover
Job title: patient care technician
Job Responsibilities
Assist acute care patients with activities of daily living.
How has Dickinson prepared you for life after graduation?
The courses challenged me in ways I did not think possible. Although it was stressful at the time, I am incredibly grateful as I feel that I am well prepared for graduate school.
What are you most anticipating about your career or post-graduate pursuits?
I look forward to applying the scientific knowledge I gained at Dickinson in healthcare settings so that I can help individuals with medical needs.
What are some of the defining moments of your Dickinson experience?
Conducting research with my professors and becoming a member of the Liberty Cap Society.
Quenelle McKim
Hometown: York, Pennsylvania
Major: biochemistry & molecular biology
Employer: National Institute of Health
Job title: postbac researcher
Sher Bahadur
Hometown: Islamabad, Pakistan
Major: biochemistry & molecular biology
Employer: Dana Farber Cancer Institute
Job title: research associate
Job Responsiblities
I will be doing biomedical research on pediatric brain cancer in a lab headed by a M.D./Ph.D. physician scientist. I will be doing research under the guidance of a postdoctoral biomedical researcher, and I will be learning and growing as a biomedical researcher myself.
How has Dickinson prepared you for life after graduation?
Through taking classes with Associate Professor of Biology Michael Roberts, I learned about biomedical research as a potential career option. Through my research with him, I have learned most of what I know about research, and I attribute all my development and success as a researcher to him. I would not be going on to working at one of the best cancer research institutes in the world had it not been for his help. Through my experiences interacting with students, staff, and faculty at Dickinson, I have learned how to function and contribute in American society and culture. I have gained a substantial amount from the liberal arts experience at Dickinson. I have grown immensely as a intellectual through the various classes I have taken outside my major. I owe a lot to the Department of Art & Art History and the incredible professors in the department have challenged me intellectually like never before in my life. Taking classes with them has unequivocally changed my view of the world and how I interact with different cultures.
What are you most anticipating about your career or post-graduate pursuits?
I am very excited to pursue a career in biomedical research. I fully intend to pursue graduate level education in the United States, but I am still uncertain whether I want to pursue a Ph.D .or an M.D./ Ph.D. I am very excited to live in a large city in the United States.
What are some of the defining moments of your Dickinson experience?
- Working in the lab of Associate Professor of Biology Michael Roberts.
- Taking art & art history courses with Associate Professor of Art History Elizabeth Lee and Professor of Art History and William W. Edel Professor of Humanities Melinda Schlitt, which ultimately convinced me to be an art history minor.
- Presenting my research at the annual American Association for Cancer Research meeting in New Orleans.
- Being an exec member on MOB.
- Getting a near fatal brain injury at the start of my sophomore year and having to struggle the entire semester to complete four courses.
- Cafsgiving.
- Taking classes online during the fall 2020 semester from Pakistan.
- Working as a blue shirt in the Dining Hall.
- Working as a resident advisor.
- Working as a teaching assistant with the Department of Chemistry.
Internship Experience
I completed an internship at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee during the summer of 2021. I did full-time research in the lab of a pediatric oncologist, and I studied pediatric brain cancer.
Myranda Piotroski
Hometown: Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Major: biochemistry & molecular biology
Employer: UPMC Pinnacle
Job title: patient care technician Perianesthesia Unit
What are you most anticipating about your career or post-graduate pursuits?
Working to gain experience in the medical field and then pursuing further education as either a PA or physician.
What are some of the defining moments of your Dickinson experience?
My internship, experience as a biology lab teaching assistant, attending on-campus lectures and events, pre-health events and talks, practicing and performing with Hypnotic the hip hop dance team on campus, being a mentor with Biobuddies, volunteering at local hospitals.
Internship Experience
UPMC Pinnacle, Harrisburg, Pa. - Transplant Services research internship - Conducted retrospective data analysis of kidney transplant demographics to determine early graft outcomes, collaborated with doctors and data analysts for paper formulation, shadowed nephrologist, researchers and nurse coordinators.
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Published May 10, 2022