Twenty-four undergraduate students are spending the summer conducting research.
They are called INBRE scholars and are part of the largest grant in UNMC history.
Today we meet Melissa Shadoin, of Lake Charles, La., a biology major at Doane College.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I grew up in Crete, Neb., but when I was a freshman in high school, my family made the move all the way to Lake Charles, La. I was a basketball player for 11 years. Sports are actually one of the things that brought me back to Nebraska. I’m also a track athlete. I’m also a youth leader at a local church that I had been a part of while I was in Crete. Working with kids has always been a passion of mine and starting with this youth group, working with teens has become a passion as well.
Has science always been a part of your life?
Science has always played some sort of role in my life. I always grew up wanting to either be a doctor or a lawyer, but my one draw has always been toward science. Throughout my schooling, I’ve always been the most interested in my science classes. I loved learning about how everything works and learning the little details that make up everything. Once I got to Doane, my interest in science just flourished. I was part of the SEA-PHAGES program my first semester there and that’s hands-on research. Being in that lab class made me really know science was something that I wanted to pursue and silenced the doubt in my mind that said otherwise.
How is it important to you?
Science plays a really important role in my life. My goal is to pursue a M.D./Ph.D. degree. Since coming to college, research has played an important role in science for me, but I also want to work in a medical setting.
What do you hope to gain from the INBRE program?
Experience is the first and one of the most important things I would like to gain from this program. It’s such a privilege as an undergraduate to do research in a graduate lab. So far I have learned so many different things that I will take back with me into the lab when I get back to Doane. The lab I have been working with is incredible.