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When comparing her undergraduate experience to her current graduate school peers, Jessica Frisz can see the difference it made to attend a small, liberal arts college. "At the University of Evansville, I received individualized attention from the faculty. I also notice that I'm more comfortable with writing and giving presentations than many of my classmates. I'm certain it's because those skills were stressed in my classes at UE." As a graduate student at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Jessica is investigating miRNAs from a chemist's point of view. "miRNAs and the mechanism of RNAi were discovered relatively recently — within the past two decades — as an additional form of regulation in the eukaryotic cell, and while many biologists have entered the field, there are few chemists to examine aspects of binding and structure and energetics. I am working toward an in vitro method of miRNA target discovery." After completing graduate school, Jessica hopes to teach. "I would love to be a professor at a small school like UE. I miss the environment and would love to return. I feel very lucky that I had the opportunity to spend four years at UE."
As a second-year student at Indiana University School of Medicine, Samantha Kirsch feels that she was well-prepared for the challenges of medical school. "I can honestly say that I am as prepared for the challenges of medical school as anyone can hope to be, and that is a direct product of the education I received at UE." Due to the small class sizes at UE, Samantha was able to develop one-on-one relationships with her professors. "The professors got to know me and my strengths and helped me plan a schedule that allowed me to take the courses needed for medical school. The skills I gained at UE — problem solving in the classroom and lab experiences that taught me to think outside the box and deal with challenges — are the ones I use in medical school every day." Samantha received the Richard L. Webb Award for Excellence in the First-Year Medical Curriculum. In addition, she is the teaching assistant for the first-year medical biochemistry course and does rounds in the emergency room with a Bloomington physician. "In my next two years, I'll complete my rotations at Methodist Hospital, Riley Children's Hospital, and St. Vincent's Hospital in Indianapolis." Following medical school, she hopes to complete residency training in oncology, interventional radiology, or emergency medicine.
Since graduating from the University of Evansville with a professional chemistry degree, Kimberly Brown has worked as a forensic scientist for a state police agency. "I am in the drug chemistry section. I analyze evidence for the presence of controlled substances, generate reports of my findings, and testify as an expert witness when needed." Kimberly felt very prepared for her career and credits her UE professors. "My professors were very supportive. They could be tough at times, but it was to push me to try harder and meet my potential." Chemistry is something Kimberly uses on a daily basis to identify controlled substances and to maintain instruments used for chemical analysis. "The two classes which have helped me the most in my career are organic chemistry and instrumental analysis." "I am very happy in my career. My job is very rewarding knowing that what I do has an effect on the people and community around me." |
Jessica Frisz
Samantha Kirsch
Kimberly Brown