Research

Transcript

Let’s get to it. You all ready? Now let’s meet Piper. She’s a senior studying biology and chemistry. Piper conducts research on campus and is excited to tell us about the many opportunities she found in the UOs stellar science programs. You’re up Piper.

– Thanks for that introduction. I grew up just an hour and a half away from Eugene and my older brother attended UO. When I came to visit him, I was immediately welcomed into the warm community and impressed by the amazing facilities they had for my field of interest. After seeing an incredible scholarship I was sold. What really impressed me was the research facilities they had for the natural sciences, which is what I knew I wanted to study. I was able to get involved into research early on during my freshman year in the Bradshaw Holzapfel lab in the Institute of ecology and evolution. Since then, I’ve been exposed to groundbreaking research and I’m currently working on my thesis, which focuses on the existence of cryptic, ancestral genes, affecting the mosquitoes ability to bite. I’m looking forward to finishing up data collection and defending my thesis later on this winter. Through the career center, I was able to find a summer internship where I had the opportunity to shadow surgeons and conduct clinical research. As a result, I’m now a published author in a peer reviewed medical journal. And outside of the natural sciences, I branched out to become president of Hip Hop club. University of Oregon is a member of the association of American universities, one of only two in the Pacific Northwest, which is a testament to the strength and value of research occurring here. Additionally, any student can get involved in research, not just those in the natural sciences. The opportunities in the natural sciences that UO provides prepare students for a career of their choosing after graduation. As I reflect back on my time in preparation for applying to medical school, I’m grateful for all that UO has provided me in these past three years. That’s my story. So back to you, Alex.

– Piper, thank you. That was amazing. It’s great you’ve been able to get hands-on experience doing research at the UO. I’ve have had my fair share of mosquito bites racing around the world, and now have a whole new respect for those bugs. It’s inspiring to hear all you’ve accomplished in such a short amount of time. Sounds like you are set for the future. Take care.