my Purdue view

I chose Purdue because of the opportunities for research. I had already done research here when I was attending Lafayette Jefferson High School. I was into biology and chemistry throughout high school, so biochemistry seemed the perfect fit to combine my love for these disciplines.

My first-year experience during the pandemic was definitely a little weird. Most of my classes were online, but I felt that I got a lot out of them. Still, campus is so much more alive now, and all my classes are in person.

Undergraduate research has had a significant impact on my experience at Purdue. I learn textbook information about cells and reactions in my classes, but doing research gives me the opportunity to apply and see the impact of the science I’ve learned.

I worked in botany professor Leonor Boavida’s lab during MASI (Molecular Agriculture Summer Institute) this past summer. The lab focuses on plant double fertilization. We worked on a specific protein that affects sperm cell adhesion and how the different components of the protein are important for its function.

MASI gave me the chance to experience what it’s like to do research full time. Whatever graduate program I decide to attend, I know I’ll be helping people, whether directly through patient interactions in medicine or indirectly by advancing the understanding and research of the sciences.