On May 30, the Nebraska Institutional Development Award Program (IDeA) Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) program welcomed 26 undergraduate students from across Nebraska as they embark on their summer research experience at Creighton University, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
Below, Makayla Nemecek talks about her INBRE experience.
What should we know about you?
This fall, I will be a junior at the University of Nebraska at Kearney and am majoring in molecular biology with a minor in public health. I enjoy spending time in the lab researching. In my free time, I love to spend time with my two dogs and my significant other. I also enjoy playing slow-pitch softball and occasionally running.
What or who has influenced your interest in science?
My interest in science was originally influenced by my high school science teacher at the time, Koleen Haldeman. She consistently demonstrated how fascinating science could be and how it is always changing. In addition to Mrs. Haldeman, I have a fabulous mentor with whom I conducted research with all throughout my time at UNK. Her name is Kim Carlson. Dr. Carlson is who helped me decide that I wanted to pursue a research-driven career and contribute to the scientific community.
Will you pursue a career in science? If so, what do you hope to accomplish?
Absolutely. After graduating with my bachelor’s degree, I will attend UNMC’s College of Public Health to receive a master’s in public health concentrating in epidemiology or environmental. With that, I could see myself working in a public health lab studying epidemics and/or infectious disease. My end goal is to earn my Ph.D. and eventually teach at a college and conduct research with my students and peers.
Why is it important to have programs like INBRE?
Not only is it important, but it is necessary. The INBRE program is utilized to help students decide if a research-driven career is for them. Like I said before, science is never-ending. We need students to develop passions for this work in order to continue making new discoveries. Coming from a small town with a passion in science, I was always told I should go to medical school. Realizing, pretty early on that medical school wasn’t for me, this program served as an opportunity and a reminder that I had other options where I could be successful in science.