Biology Student Profiles
Kyle Zoll
Evansville, Indiana
While in high school, spending two weeks at a local hospital's Health Science Institute sparked Kyle Zoll's interest in medicine and the biology and chemistry behind it. Kyle chose to major in biology as it offers several career paths, but his ultimate goal is to be a physician. "Studying biology is challenging, but if you are willing to put in the work, it is very rewarding. Biology never ceases to amaze me."
Kyle is gaining valuable research experience in his genomics class and will be doing a summer research project with a faculty member. His genomics class is focused on finishing and annotating the DNA sequences in fruit flies. "This summer, I will be conducting ecological research with Dr. Batema. We will be surveying birds at the Vectren Conservation Park to evaluate the biodiversity of the area. We will also be identifying dragonflies at various sites."
Outside of class, Kyle stays active and believes it helps reduce the stress associated with a challenging program. "I enjoy playing music, so I am involved with the pep band, which means I attend the basketball games. My favorite event was spending the weekend at Hancock Biological Station at Kentucky Lake exploring the lake as well as creeks and ponds in the area. Although it was part of a class — two professors went with the group — it was a fun experience. Ultimately, being involved and living on campus has allowed me to meet so many new people. To me, college is not only a place of learning, but also a place for gaining insight about the world and the people in it."
Kylie McNeil
Franklin, Indiana
Kylie McNeil chose to attend the University of Evansville for its small class size and the accessibility of its professors. She knew she would be majoring in biology, but she also wanted a school that offered Japanese studies. "I would like to participate in research in Japan. Since I now have the opportunity to learn the language, this is a goal I'll be able to complete."
Since elementary school, Kylie has enjoyed the study of biology, particularly the human body. She has since become fascinated with studying small biological components such as cells, bacteria, and biochemical reactions. It is for this reason that she intends on earning her PhD in biomedical research focusing on microbiology or immunology. "Professor Davis, my research advisor and mentor, has been very supportive of me. This summer, we are working with strains of human adenoviruses that are linked to obesity. We are trying to develop a PCR assay as a faster, more efficient detection method for these viruses."
In addition to her involvement with Bi-Sci Club, Kylie is involved with Kappa Chi and had the opportunity to study abroad at Harlaxton College in Grantham, England. "At this point, my Harlaxton experience has been my favorite UE experience. It opened me up to differing viewpoints and made me more understanding. It also made me more confident that I can face the world as an adult without having too much dependence on my family. Because of the experience, I have a greater understanding of the world."
