Chloe Kirk
Majors and certificates: Molecular Biology; Legal Studies; Leadership certificate
Graduated: August 2019
Hometown: St. Paul, Minnesota
What helped you choose your major?
Zoology 570: Cell Biology! I was already a molecular biology major before this, but this class helped solidify my desire to pursue scientific research and narrow my interests.
For my Legal studies major, I originally was not going to be an additional major, but I took a Legal Studies 400 class called Gender, Crime and Justice, which introduced me to sexual assault legislation and became a passion I followed throughout college.
What was an influential class not related to your major?
I took a literature in translation class about Scandinavian literature, which I was not expecting to enjoy as much as I did. I actually ended up deciding to travel to parts of Scandinavia for a post-graduation trip because of the class!
What has been the best outside-the-classroom experience?
I was able to intern at a biotechnology company for five months at Osaka Gas Laboratories in Osaka, Japan. Here I learned the value of having a PhD in an industry setting and understood that I need to continue to graduate school in order to be able to follow my own research interests later.
Beyond all the amazing things I learned in the internship itself, I was able to travel to over 12 different cities in Japan and to Singapore, Hong Kong China and South Korea. I learned so much about independence and trying new food.
What are your plans for after graduation?
I am attending the University of Miami (in Florida) to work toward a PhD in biochemistry and molecular biology. Afterward, I hope to find a position in the industry.
What advice would you give students finding their path?
Don’t be discouraged and keep trying those different paths. I had no idea I would end up on the path I did. None of it would have been possible without the countless different classes I tried, advisors of different majors and colleges I talked to, internships and volunteer opportunities.
What has the L&S experience been for or meant to you?
The most important experience for me in L&S has been the ability to try so many different classes and have two very different majors. I have dual interests in science and law, and I am thrilled that L&S gave me the opportunity to pursue both of my passions. L&S means to me that I can try new things without being stuck to just the classes for my major.
Olivia Lopez
Majors and certificates:Conservation Biology; Environmental Studies; Afro-American Studies certificate
Graduating: May 2020
Hometown: Milwaukee
What’s been a standout class in one of your majors or certificates?
Geography 120 was one of my favorites, even though it was a low-level pre-requisite. The course was well-rounded and engaging, and the material offered me a solid foundation for my more advanced courses.
What’s been a life-changing or influential class that’s not related to your major?
Origins of Black Movements. The course was at times emotionally straining, but the topics within the course provided greater details about issues not covered in mainstream history classes.
What has been the best outside-the-classroom experience?
In fall of 2018, I participated in the Tropical Island Biodiversity and Conservation Studies program in Bocas del Toro, Panama. I studied the impact of tourism on terrestrial and marine ecosystems, as well as how tourism affected the livelihoods of the local people.
I was able to conduct research in the social sciences, which is something I had not done before. And I had the opportunity to interview so many amazing people, improve my Spanish and widen my perspective on issues going on in different parts of the world.
What are your plans for after graduation?
I plan to take a few years off before graduate study. I hope to gain more field experience in the tropics and develop relationships with nonprofits.
What advice would you give students finding their path?
This has been something that has been hard for me to accept, but sometimes things are out of your control, and you have to go with the flow. I would say do not be too hard on yourself, and be open to new or intimidating experiences.
What has the L&S experience meant to you?
The L&S experience, for me, has been a very good one. I appreciate the diversity of the majors in this school. Also, I have always felt supported by advisors and staff.
Jaret Schroeder
Majors and certificates: Neurobiology; ISSuES(science communication) certificate; Health and Humanities certificate
Graduating: May 2020
Hometown: Salem, Wisconsin
What helped you choose your major?
My “aha” class was Zoology 619: Biology of the Mind. This class took my knowledge of genetics and brain plasticity to the next level by exploring mechanisms in the brain, consciousness and anthropology. This course gave me an appreciation for the human brain and was the perfect launching point into cellular/molecular neurobiology in the College of Letters & Science.
What was an influential class not related to your major?
Biochemistry 575: Biology of Viruses. It covers the pathogenetic mechanisms utilized by viruses and their complimentary host immunology, as well as topics regarding emerging diseases and vaccines. While the material is extremely challenging, understanding the molecular mechanisms of disease is highly beneficial for my area of study and I appreciated the challenge.
What has been your favorite research opportunity while a student?
My outstanding research experience has been as a member of the Bent lab. We study the interaction between the Soybean Cyst Nematode (SCN) pathogen and its host. Soybeans have many genetic intricacies, such as R-genes, and our lab strives to develop novel approaches for conferring resistance to the SCN pathogen. It has been a fantastic space to learn technical molecular biology skills of agro-bacterium-mediated plant transformation and gain an appreciation for the complexity of plant genetics. In the fall, I will start research on dementia in a stem cell focused lab.
What has been the best outside-the-classroom experience?
Being one of the UW carilloneurs. It is a very different skill, but being able to play music that is heard for miles around from the memorial bell tower is a great way to break up the regularity of a weekly schedule. Whether it’s Handel or Katy Perry, the bells never fail to bring a smile to students down below.
What are your plans for after graduation?
After graduation, I am preparing for graduate school and a career in the biotech industry.
What has the L&S experience been for or meant to you?
Connections and networking. L&S offers the resources to forge strong connections and network effectively. What makes every situation for me are the people. Meeting people who want to challenge me and present me with new opportunities — both of which I found in my advisor and the science staff at SuccessWorks — has been a large part of L&S.
Alder Levin
Majors and certificates: Biochemistry; History of Science, Medicine and Technology; Honors Biology Certificate
Graduated: May 2019
Hometown: McFarland, Wisconsin
What helped you choose your major?
I decided that I wanted to be a biochemistry major when I took Biocore 383: Cellular Biology and the accompanying lab. The instructors made complex concepts very accessible, and when we learned about topics like molecular genetics and signal transduction, the material just clicked with me, and I knew I wanted to dive deeper. The lab in particular helped me understand how research works in the real world, which drew me into future science experiences.
I decided I wanted to double major in History of Science, Medicine and Technology after taking Medical History 553: International Health and Global Society. The course introduced me to the complexities of global health and medicine’s social context. Being a pre-med student, I thought it would be a disservice to not learn more about the social side of medicine.
What has been your favorite research opportunity while a student?
Although unrelated to either of my majors, I have done research for the past couple years in phenology, investigating how a changing climate influences flowering times of native Wisconsin prairie plants. My mentor, Seth McGee, has taught me so much about ecology and restoration and has helped me develop my confidence in science and with conducting my own research. This project has in many ways shaped the trajectory of my undergraduate career, and I’m sure it will continue to impact me in the future.
What has been the best outside-the-classroom experience?
I studied abroad in Costa Rica, where I took Spanish language courses and lived with a host family. I tried to make the most of my time there, and I remember having long, drawn-out conversations with locals, working one-on-one with my Spanish professors, driving through the countryside with my host parents and even going ziplining for the first time. Not only did I get way better at Spanish, but I also developed a real identity as a global citizen.
What are your plans for after graduation?
I am serving in the Peace Corps, teaching science in Tanzania.
What has the L&S experience meant to you?
L&S at UW for me has meant taking courses that are outside of my comfort zone, delving into topics that interest me and receiving a high-quality and well-rounded education.