Congratulations to the December 2021 Health Sciences Graduates!
Do you have a memorable experience during your time at WVU you could share?
A memorable experience during my time at WVU would be working with the School of Medicine as a student ambassador and working the School of Medicine’s booth at Discover WVU Day. This was a great opportunity to meet with incoming students and educate them about my major!
What do you hope to do upon graduating?
Upon graduating, I plan to apply for graduate school for Audiology to WVU.
Why would you recommend WVU to future students?
I would recommend WVU to future students because there is so much opportunity, especially in the School of Medicine. You are able to get so much hands-on experience and overall it's not hard to find a major that you love.
Why did you choose your program?
I choose the PhD in Clinical and Translational Sciences because of the broad scope of the program with the opportunity to get exposed to population, clinical and basic sciences research.
Do you have a memorable experience during your time at WVU you could share?
On a professional level, my whole time in WVU has been a memorable experience. I’ve got not only the technical tools but also enough confidence to sharpen my skills and achieve the depth of knowledge necessary to becoming a strong contributor in the field.
What do you hope to do upon graduating?
I hope to pursue a career in Medical Affairs in the pharmaceutical industry.
Why would you recommend WVU to future students?
I would recommend WVU to future students because of their focus on team science and collaboration within the university or external institutes. WVU is thriving to provide their students with all the support they need to succeed.
Why did you choose your program?
I wanted to do research in nursing, and I teach in academia.
What do you hope to do upon graduating?
I am hoping to develop interventions to help people living with type 2 diabetes have better health outcomes. In the meantime, I will continue teaching nursing at Davis & Elkins College where I am a Professor of Nursing and Director of the Associate Degree Nursing Program.
Why would you recommend WVU to future students?
The professors changed the way I think. They were very influential on my learning. They invested in me.
Why did you choose your program?
I have always known that I wanted to work within a hospital environment, and originally entered WVU as a Pre-Nursing student until I heard from a peer about Public Health. I figured I would check into it, and soon after changed my major.
Do you have a memorable experience during your time at WVU you could briefly share?
There are many unique and memorable experiences that I experienced during my time here at WVU. For example, I met some of my best friends here, and I will always cherish the memories I made as well as the countless all-nighters in the library with my gal pals. Graduation is kind of bittersweet, but I will not be far because I am attending graduate school through WVU!
What do you hope to do upon graduating?
I plan to attend graduate school here at WVU and was already accepted into the Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling program! My ultimate career goal is to earn my PhD and open a private practice for treating prevalent childhood and adolescent mental health disorders.
Why would you recommend WVU to future students?
I would tell future WVU students to prioritize their academics and get involved in organizations offered on campus because it is a great way to meet new people and take advantage of their time during undergrad. It may seem like four years is a long time, but it does genuinely fly by.
Why did you choose to study this?
I have always found molecular medicine fascinating based on my personal and family medical challenges. I wanted to go above treating a patient during a hospital stay and find the root cause of disease in the lab, providing potential therapeutic targets. In our lab, we study the blood-brain barrier, which presents a unique hurdle in drug delivery. Each key discovery helps push our field forward. If we can provide a single patient with a reason for hope, every minute of work in the lab is worth it.
What do you hope to do upon graduating?
I currently work at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute investigating the role of biological sex differences and the impact they have on blood-brain barrier integrity during tumor response to therapy and progression in the context of Glioblastoma, the most common, primary brain tumor.
Why would you recommend WVU to future students?
WVU offers a diverse learning environment with professors who genuinely care about each student and the career each is pursuing. At WVU, I felt that I was part of a family on campus and of a larger community across the country.
Why did you choose to study this?
I choose this field to study because each day you are creating a worldwide impact. It great to know that in the job world you are impacting the life of someone in a positive way each and evert day.
Do you have a memorable experience during your time at WVU you could share?
I will always remember the comradery and pride that this school gives. Whether this be at sporting events to singing country roads at the end of a win, it will always hold a special place in my heart.
What do you hope to do upon graduating?
Upon graduating, I hope to pursue my master’s in healthcare administration.
Why would you recommend WVU to future students?
To future students, I would recommend getting involved as soon as possible. Whether this be research to internships, any experience is great for future job applications.
Why did you choose your program?
I was working as an occupational therapist with an emphasis in hand and upper extremity rehabilitation. The clients I was working with often had injuries from machinery at their workplace. When the clients often had similar injuries from the same workplace I wanted to learn more about the equipment and safety protocols. This is the third degree (PhD) I’ve earned from WVU! I couldn't imagine going anywhere else. Now as a WVU employee, I was able to utilize the faculty/staff waiver to further my education during this degree.
What do you hope to do upon graduating?
Beginning January 2022, I’ll be stepping into the role of doctoral capstone coordinator in the WVU Division of Occupational Therapy. I would like to continue to research hand and upper extremity injuries, personal protective equipment, occupational deprivation, and rehabilitation.
Why would you recommend WVU to future students?
Public health practitioners have the background to change the world!