Research opportunities prepared GWU alumna for job in Microbiology

“I believe having the microbiology experience that I did allowed me to stand out better on my resume.”

“Ever since I can remember, science has been my calling,” asserted Keely Ford ’14 of Morganton, N.C., who came to �۶�ֱ�� University to develop her skills in scientific research. “I primarily focused on wild life biology and ecology,” she added. “The ocean was my second home. From around 10 years old, I have been studying and learning more and more about marine life.”

Her first semester at GWU, the professors in the Department of Natural Sciences recognized her aptitude in microbiology. They asked her to become the microbiology teaching assistant and she kept the position until she graduated. Under the mentorship of Dr. David Judge, professor of biology, she conducted her independent research project on the ostracod (small crustaceans) in GWU’s Lake Hollifield. The process gave her experience writing a proposal for a grant, presenting at a scientific conference and using the high-tech equipment. “I latched on to my science professors and quickly tried to earn and gain their respect,” Ford shared. “I went through some very hard times in college and my professors were there to work with me and ensure my success. I am forever grateful for their support and guidance.”

Not only did she receive help from her professors to reach her career goals, Ford was encouraged by the GWU community in her junior year when her brother died. “When I came back, my room was full of letters, notes, signs, and pictures from my closest friends and perfect strangers that came together to make sure I was okay,” she explained. “I did not know some of them, and the people who sent me letters would come up to me and ask to pray. I was grateful for the support and love that the �۶�ֱ�� family gave to me.”

As she neared graduation, Dr. Stefka Eddins, GWU Professor of Chemistry, suggested that she apply for an undergraduate research experience at the Wrigley Institute on Catalina Island in California. She was accepted and spent the summer after her graduation researching the Pacific oyster. “The experience helped me get more familiar with the scientific community and how it operates,” Ford reflected.

When the summer was over, she was hired to work in the microbiology department at Baxter, a company in Marion, N.C., that manufactures medical products. “I believe having the microbiology experience that I did allowed me to stand out better on my resume,” she asserted. “I hope to stay at Baxter and pursue more scientific endeavors.”

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“I always knew that my �۶�ֱ�� professors would help me with anything, whether it had to do with their class or not. They pushed us to do great things.”

After attending a larger college for a year, Mackenzie Reynolds ’18 transferred to �۶�ֱ�� University because of the smaller school setting. “I thought back to a visit I had at GWU when I was in high school,” reflected Reynolds, a native of Forest City, N.C. “I knew I would get one-on-one communication with my professors at GWU.”

Her professors provided the support and encouragement she needed to succeed, and Dr. Venita Totten gave her confidence to apply to graduate school programs. “I always knew that my �۶�ֱ�� professors would help me with anything, whether it had to do with their class or not,” Reynolds observed. “They pushed us to do great things. Dr. Totten cared so much for her students and wanted us to come up with our own ideas and experiment with things. I would never have considered graduate school if it wasn’t for her telling us about it and all the benefits.”

Reynolds graduated from �۶�ֱ�� with her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and was accepted into the chemistry PhD program at Clemson (S.C.) University. Like GWU, she chose this program because of its smaller size. Working in the lab of Dr. Carlos Garcia, Reynolds studies paper-based sensors. When she completes her doctorate, her goal is to work in the field of forensic or environmental chemistry.

The transition to graduate school has been smooth. “My classes at GWU have helped me a lot in my graduate studies,” Reynolds shared. “At Clemson, the professors assume you know all the undergraduate concepts. I have understood them, because they were taught at �۶�ֱ��.”

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Seeking to improved early detection of ovarian cancer

“Dr. Venita Totten (professor of chemistry) made a major impact on my academic career. I really appreciated the student-directed classes she instructed.”

In her classes at �۶�ֱ�� University, Kaylan Kelsey explored her interests in chemistry, discovering the properties of matter and chemical reactions. After graduating in 2018 with a major in chemistry and minor in mathematics, Kelsey is using her research skills to improve early detection of ovarian cancer, a disease that kills over 13,000 women a year.

“I am fortunate to be in a research group I am passionate about, and one that resonates highly with me,” observed Kelsey, a native of Warner Robins, Ga. “At the age of 4, my mother was left motherless. Her mother had a malignancy that was undiagnosed until the late stages of cancer, because of the lack of availability of an efficient cancer diagnostic tool at the time. Though over 40 years have passed, many ovarian cancers are still left undiagnosed until late stage without detection. Through my endeavors, I am fighting for women like my late grandmother, to greatly increase the survival rates of ovarian cancers through early detection and diagnosis.”

Kelsey is a doctoral student working in the lab of Dr. Ken Marcus at Clemson (S.C.) University. She was selected by Clemson professors to continue her studies in the program after participating in the National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Experience for Undergraduates at Clemson.

“I am striving to create a ‘liquid biopsy’-based technique as a noninvasive approach to ovarian cancer detection by isolating and identifying biomarkers in exosome-rich samples,” Kelsey said. “Exosomes are essential components of cell-to-cell communication, disease progression, metastasis, tumor growth, and other physiological processes that are continually investigated.”

Her GWU chemistry, biology and math professors gave her the foundation she needed to thrive in the NSF program and succeed as a graduate assistant. “Dr. Venita Totten (professor of chemistry) made a major impact on my academic career,” Kelsey affirmed. “I really appreciated the student-directed classes she instructed. This helped us not only to learn more, but to also begin to initiate assessments and projects. Dr. Totten’s approach helped us to grab the reigns in certain areas and direct the classroom atmosphere into what was most comfortable for us, while also tackling some difficult content. Also, she would remind us not to be overwhelmed by the many duties and responsibilities we had as students. She would comfort us by saying, ‘Life is just a series of jumping through hoops, let’s just jump through this one first so we can move forward.’”

Besides academics, Kelsey appreciated the Christian community at �۶�ֱ��. “It was essential to my success as it allowed me to come into contact with a wonderful community of believers, and allowed me to build wholesome, and lifelong relationships with others while sharing the love of Christ,” she assessed.

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Researches cheetahs while working on master’s degree

“The classes and the faculty helped inspire me and led me down the path that I’m on today. I loved physiology and the complexity of understanding how so many processes in the body work together to produce an effect.”

Two years before Michael Byron, of San Antonio, Texas, was recruited to the men’s basketball program at �۶�ֱ�� University, he watched the GWU team defeat the Kentucky Wildcats, 84-68, in a televised game. The historic win was on his mind when he decided to visit the GWU campus. “I got along really well with the players and the coaches,” Byron reflected. “I really enjoyed the campus and the atmosphere, so that’s why I decided to attend.”

Byron chose to major in biology, because he had found the subject interesting in high school. After his experiences in the GWU chemistry lab, he opted to double major in chemistry. He also discovered in classes with Dr. Cathleen Ciesielski, former associate professor of biology, and Dr. Joseph Oyugi, professor of ecology, that he was interested in conservation topics and advances in physiology and genetics.

“The classes and the faculty helped inspire me and led me down the path that I’m on today,” shared the 2014 GWU alumnus. “I loved physiology and the complexity of understanding how so many processes in the body work together to produce an effect. I also loved seeing the similarities and differences between different species, and seeing how these differences allowed each species to be the most suited for its environment. Dr. Oyugi was very passionate about the content, and I was intrigued by the interactions between organisms and their environment.”

Byron will finish his Master of Science in physiology in May from North Carolina State University (NCSU) in Raleigh, N.C., and plans to pursue his doctorate. When he started the master’s program, he felt prepared for graduate-level studies. “My classes at GWU, especially the upper level science classes, were small in comparison to the classes I’ve seen at NCSU,” he observed. “I feel like the GWU professors were teaching us the content directly, rather than just having us come to a lecture and learn out of a book. This was also especially helpful for classes with labs, as the professor was leading and directing us in lab, rather than a teacher assistant. I definitely think this aspect helped me with my future experiences doing lab work.”

As a graduate student, Byron has taught the laboratory sections for cellular and molecular biology at NCSU. “I definitely try to follow the example set by my professors at GWU,” he informed. “I find that showing excitement and passion for what is being taught can make the students more willing to engage in and learn the content. I also like to build relationships with my students, and help them to realize that I was in their shoes not too long ago.”

Through the NCSU program, he has also worked with Dr. Adrienne Crosier, lead researcher at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Va. The labs’ members seek to better understand the reproductive physiology of the cheetah and other wild felids. “Hopefully our research will tell us how and why some cheetahs have trouble reproducing in captivity,” he asserted. “This can help in the ultimate goal to create a sustainable captive cheetah population as insurance for the declining cheetah population in the wild.”

His goal is to continue working in the field of wildlife conservation. “I want to be involved in helping to apply groundbreaking scientific advances that would provide greater knowledge and understanding of the behaviors and physiological processes of endangered species,” Byron affirmed.

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