In May, six Virginia scholars packed their bags and traveled 1,000-plus miles to spend 12 weeks in a UNMC lab. The undergraduates are the first to participate in the unique Virginia-Nebraska Alliance, an academic and research partnership between UNMC, Virginia Commonwealth University, five Historically Black Colleges and Universities and a leading Virginia community college.
Today, meet the fourth of our Virginia-Nebraska Alliance scholars, Tyrone Cherry. Learn more about him, in his words.
Tyrone Cherry, 21
Virginia State senior
Education major
I came into college wanting to study medicine and education. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to become a dentist or a teacher. I was always interested in medicine and I’ve always loved anatomy.
My mother is a nurse and my father was a medic in the military. I like the fact that it is always changing and that you help people. And not only do you help diagnose and treat patients, but you can educate them about their problem and how to prevent it or prevent it from getting worse.
I’ve been tutoring junior and senior high school students in math and found that I really enjoyed doing that, as well. My mother told me to follow my heart and that experience allowed me to find out exactly where my heart was: educating youth.
Coming to UNMC these past two years has helped me make my final decision on which path I wanted to take. When I began working in the lab I didn’t know anything about organic chemistry or genetics, but all of the people here were so patient in teaching me all I needed to know. In fact, when I returned to school last fall I took courses in genetics and organic chemistry and did so well that my instructor thought I had taken his class the year before!
I also realized, through my experience at UNMC, how patient you have to be when teaching someone. There is a certain satisfaction that comes with knowing you helped a person learn that is very rewarding.
I am working in Dr. William Rizzo’s lab again. This time, I am learning more about lab techniques. I’ve learned how to use the gas-chromatograph, a machine that identifies molecules, and the HPTLC method, a high-performance procedure that helps separate molecules and allows precise identification or purification of those molecules.
The exposure to a research lab has been a great benefit to me and will enrich my ability to teach science.
My ultimate goal is to open a center for underprivileged youth.
Interview by Lisa Spellman, UNMC public affairs/i>