THE NEXT GENERATION OF BIOLOGISTS

THE SCHOOL OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES PRIDES ITSELF ON OFFERING STUDENTS OPPORTUNITIES TO ENGAGE IN RESEARCH, EARN WHILE LEARNING, AND FIND INSPIRATION IN LABS AND THE FIELD THAT INFORM ACADEMIC AND CAREER GOALS.

Here we provide a sampling of the bright, the bold and the persistent who are preparing for careers in human health.

KIMBERLY GAMARRA

“My parents are immigrants from Peru and their transition to the U.S, especially navigating healthcare, was a challenge, says Kimberly Gamarra BS’24. “I suffered from a brain tumor as a child, so a big motivation for them moving to the U.S. was to make sure I received the best treatment possible."

Gamarra was recently accepted to the U’s Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine. Navigating her family’s adopted home of the U.S., she began her undergraduate studies early during high school, completing concurrent enrollment classes through Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) before finishing her degree at the U.

“This whole process opened my eyes to the strengths and struggles of our current healthcare system and ways I can help make it better.”

At the U Gamarra found guidance and community through the Refugees Exploring the Foundations of Undergraduate Education In Science's (REFUGES) Bridge Program. Now administered through SLCC, REFUGES is designed to support students with tools for college and career readiness. “From the start, I've always wanted to do medicine," she reflects. “That was my goal. And so having [this] program was a huge help in acclimating to the new campus and getting to know faculty, staff, and other students.”

MIA SHENEMAN

“I am a transfer student from Salt Lake Community College where I received my Associate of Science in Pre-Health Sciences,” says biology major Mia Sheneman. “It was much easier for me to get involved in U campus life than I had anticipated— and it’s been so rewarding doing so!”

Sheneman transferred to the U as a junior and didn’t waste any time getting involved. She found meaningful student employment to complement her educational and career goals while also working to cover the cost of her tuition. She has worked as a learning assistant and teaching assistant in chemistry and mathematics courses as well as a clinical research assistant for the Department of Emergency Medicine and a healthcare assistant at the University of Utah Hospital. “Doubledipping” in this way helps hundreds of students supplement their income, learn, and get involved all at once.

“One important lesson that I've learned at the U is that confidence is contagious,” continues Sheneman. “As I've grown more comfortable speaking with others, leading classes, and preparing for exams, I've noticed that this attitude is reflected in others, empowering fellow students to take pride in their accomplishments.

This has helped me build strong connections within the community and reinforced the importance of uplifting others as we navigate our journeys together.”

In spring 2025 when Sheneman receives her BS in biology, she will be the first member of her family to complete a college degree.

“When you have an idea, you just have to go for it," she says. "The biggest step to take is the first step.”

NATHAN PATCHEN

“I am passionate about improving the quality of life for patients, allowing them to lead healthier and hopefully more fulfilling lives,” says Nathan Patchen. “I hope to do this by working in the field of genetics/genomics and using gene editing techniques to find new tools to combat diseases that are otherwise untreatable.”

Patchen recalls the principal investigator of his lab assigning him to learn how to synthesize a compound they use for experiments in an effort to bring costs down. “It was a difficult process to optimize the protocol for our lab, but through extensive troubleshooting and consulting with other labs, I became an expert on the topic.”

After months of running the process over and over again without success, he and his PI discovered the error was occurring in a step Patchen was not in control of. “We were so excited to have found the solution. After correcting the problem, I was able to successfully produce the desired product. Better yet, the new method dropped the cost of our experiments from sixty dollars per experiment to less than a cent.”

For Patchen it was exciting that he could play such a key role in helping his lab achieve a research goal that opens realms of possibility. “It feels great to be able to contribute to something larger than myself.”

Nathan Patchen, a junior in the Honors College studying biochemistry and biology, is a 2024 Goldwater Scholarship recipient.