Chemistry and Biochemistry News

This summer, biochemistry senior Ginell McLean is participating in the 2015 Minority Undergraduate Student Internship Program (MUSIP) at the US Army Edgewood Chemical Biological Center at Aberdeen Proving Ground. Ginell reports that the summer is going really well. The purpose of her research projects is to aid in protecting the war fighter as well as civilians.

“I love the fact that I am doing research that can change the world. Having the opportunity to gather data that will be useful for terrorist attacks and civilians health is just amazing to me. It feels great to be able to work in a facility that helped with the 2001 postal office anthrax scare situation and to be doing research that would prevent an incident like that from occurring again.”

This summer research experience fits in very well with Ginell’s career plans. “My career goals are to work within the government and aid in the benefit of the war fighter. I have always had a strong urge to work with people who were affiliated with the armed forces and serve them as they as they have served our country.”

This summer, chemistry senior Alec Romanoski is completing his capstone internship in an inpatient pharmacy at Lourdes Hospital in Binghamton, New York. He reports that he is enjoying his internship because he feels like he is part of a team here and is actually contributing to the care of patients. Alec already has experience in a retail pharmacy, so is excited to extend his background to hospital-based pharmacy. He’s also busy this summer completing applications for pharmacy school.

Biochemistry senior, Tiffany Kahl, is an intern at CVS Pharmacy this summer. She has learned how to assist patients with all aspects of their prescriptions. Tiffany loves her internship because “I love that everyone at my internship site is so understanding and helpful of me being the new person and are always willing to help me with whatever the situation is. I love helping patients and making them smile and have a satisfying trip to their pharmacy! I also really enjoy learning all the different medications and counting the appropriate quantities to dispense to the patients. My internship fits my career plans perfectly because I want to ultimately be a pharmacist. Working in a retail pharmacy is giving me a lot of experience to watch the pharmacist and become familiar with all the important aspects of working within the pharmacy!”

This summer, Biochemistry sophomore, Kayla Bynion, is an intern at the Johns Hopkins Neurosurgery Clinic. Here’s what she shared: “I am working with renowned neurosurgeon Dr. Alfredo Quiñones-Hinojosa, or as most people like to call him, Dr. Q. There is so much to love about this incredible opportunity. I have been able to see all aspects of what it is really like to work in a hospital. I have helped to schedule appointments and various tests for patients, shadowed some of Dr. Q’s clinicals, and most recently, I was able to assist with multiple pre-ops and scrub in to observe several brain surgeries. Dr. Q has taught me so much about not only the clinical work of a doctor, but also how to interact with patients and other valuable life skills which will help me as I advance in my education. I have loved every minute of my experience and it has helped me decide that I really do want to pursue a career in medicine.”

Students and faculty who are participating in our Summer Science Scholars Research Program (S3RP) recently attended an Orioles game to cheer on the O’s. A great time was had by all as the Orioles won the game against the Texas Rangers 4-2!