This past weekend we celebrated the graduation of 5 members of the lab. These students have provided data for publications, presented at conferences, and most importantly learned from and supported each other through the ups and downs of research and events of the past few years which included a tornado, a hurricane, and a global pandemic. They perservered and I could not be more proud of them! Summer Adams completed her BS in Biology. After taking my Bioethics class she reached out to me about her future, thinking medical school might not be the right fit and not sure then what her next step might be. That fall she joined the lab and for the next 2 years she worked with her labmates to advance research, write and be awarded an ANS minigrant, present at local and regional conferences, and be selected to represent Louisiana Tech University at the 2021 University of Louisiana Academic Summit. Summer is heading off to Univerity of Texas Health Science Center where she will spend time working as a research assistant and preparing her applications for PhD programs. Caroline Rinderle completed her MS in Biology. I had the pleasure of being Caroline's assigned advisor when she entered Louisiana Tech University as a freshman and in that time watched her goals shift as she discovered a future in research. Caroline concurrently enrolled in the MS program while completing her BS in Biology (which she earned in the fall, graduating with a 4.0 GPA). During her time in the lab she was awarded a SIgma Xi GIAR, ANS minigrants, 1st place in the Graduate Presentations at ANS Day, and participated in conferences and the 3 Minute Thesis Competion. Caroline is heading off to University of North Text Health Science Center where she will work with long-time lab friend, Dr. Bruce Bunnell as a research assistant while she prepares her application for PhD programs. Jaylen Mumphrey complete his MS in Biology. Jaylen joined the lab after we met in Research Methods his first quarter at Louisiana Tech. Jaylen quickly immersed himself in the lab, demonstrating a true passion for the research process. In the two years Jaylen was a part of the lab he advanced research, was awarded a LaSPACE Graduate Student Research Award, an ANS minigrant, presented at conferences, and earned 1st place in his Graduate Student Poster category at the Louisiana Academcy of Sciences annual meeting. Jaylen is heading to the NIH to work as a research assistant while he explores opportunities for a future in biomedical research. Onyekachi (Kachi) Idigo completed her MS in Biology. Kachi joined the lab after we met in Bioethics her first quarter at Louisiana Tech. New to the University, Kachi was a bit uncertain of how to get started. After a few conversations she joined the group and has demonstrated a passion for research and collegiality. Kachi was the recipient of a Sigma Xi GIAR, ANS minigrants, and awards from the Louisiana Biomedical Research Network for her strong presentation of research. Kachi is heading to Rice University where she will join a PhD program to continue her career in research. Joseph Straub earned his PhD in Molecular Science and Nanotechnology. Over the past 6 years Joseph has not only advanced research in the lab, authoring 2 manuscripts and a literature review, he has kept the lab going and trained studens, providing a critical level of support and consistency. He has been awarded ANS minigrants, received awards for his presentations at meetings, and participated in a selective genomics summer program. The road to a PhD is never easy and especially not easy when faced with natural disasters that leave the town without the power anda global pandemic that shut the lab down for a few months. Joseph's dedication to research and teaching has been rewarded with a postiion on the faculty at his alma mater, Northwestern State University. where he will begin his academic career as an Assistant Professor this fall. I got to see a few other special students at the Honors Reception on Friday night. Hunter Currie spent some time as part of the lab as did Heather Vogel and Maddie Lechtenber, who I also had the pleasure of advising during theirtime at Louisiana Tech.
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Dr. Jamie NewmanAssociate Professor of Biological Sciences Archives
May 2021
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