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Derek Moormeier |
Established in 2001, the BRIN program was created to expose students to serious biomedical research, build a statewide biomedical research infrastructure between undergraduate and graduate institutions and to strengthen each undergraduate institution’s infrastructure and increase its capacity to conduct cutting-edge biomedical and behavioral research.
Today, we meet Derek Moormeier, one of the new BRIN scholars on campus.
What should we know about you?
I was born in Lincoln to a small-farm family, which has instilled a hard work ethic. I don’t consider myself to be smart, but I’m always eager to learn. I am extremely interested in gaining valuable research experience through the BRIN program while at the same time having fun and busting my butt to figure out whether research is the right field for me.
What or who influenced your interest in science?
In elementary school, a friend and I had to do a project on what we wanted to be when we grew up. At the time, we both liked animals and plants so we wanted to become an ecologists. From that day forward, I have always wanted to do something in science.
What is it about science that excites you?
Science is both rewarding and exciting because it is the same internationally, it is always evolving and the job market is great. Not to mention that everyday a person in the science field is forced to critically think and solve problems that could save or change someone’s life.
Will you pursue a career in science? If so, what do you hope to accomplish?
As of right now, I am planning on pursuing a career in science. Since there are so many different fields of science, I am not sure on exactly what I want to accomplish. I would, however, like to pursue some sort of secondary school in science most likely a Ph.D. degree.
Why is it important to have programs like BRIN?
Programs like BRIN are great ways to introduce undergraduates into what to expect when they graduate college and are looking either for a job, graduate or medical school. Programs like BRIN also give young adults the chance to rub shoulders with people who have already been through the same problems and can give their personal advice and experience.