Leadership in the Lab: The Academic Research Experience with Josh

Transcript

Let’s all welcome Josh, a recent graduate who majored in Biology, minored in Psychology, and found a home on the Drew University fencing team. Like many students at Drew, Josh is passionate about research. He’s had numerous opportunities to perform research alongside faculty and was even paid to do so over the summer. Josh, tell us all about it.

– Thanks for the intro, Alex. Hey, everyone. I knew coming outta high school, I wanted to be in an environment that was gonna challenge, inspire, and shape me into the person I knew I could become. Looking back now, choosing Drew University completely changed my life forever. Before attending Drew, it was my dream to become a doctor. I started my pre-med journey learning about the complex foundations of biology. We learned everything from the beauty of our ecosystems to an entire living world smaller than our own, filled with bacteria and viruses. I discovered I love the topic of these little organisms so much that I got an amazing opportunity to study them within a research lab alongside my faculty mentor. This opportunity has not only increased my passion for biology, but gave me the space to enjoy experimenting with all the success and mistakes that come with the process. My academic journey was important, but it was my admissions in athletic experience that really shaped who I am today. I was extremely shy coming outta high school. I didn’t think I would find any friends or fit into any clubs. Then I became a leader on my fencing team. The team was more than just family. We won together, we struggled together, but most importantly, we were there for one another. When I lack confidence, my team was there to inspire me and uplift me to keep going, it is that feeling of family that is the philosophy of Drew Athletics. When I’m asked, what is your favorite part of Drew, the first word that comes to mind is community. The students and faculty here are so passionate, caring, and ambitious, and it’s contagious. You see everyone around you doing so many great things and we start to think, I can do those things as well. Drew is truly a place to find yourself. Thank you so much for hanging out with me. They’re all yours, Alex.

– Wow, Josh, it is so cool to see you showing off those fencing and research skills. It sounds like you’ve found community both in and out of the classroom. Thank you for sharing your Drew experiences with us and your love of the biology lab. Take care.