![President Todd Pfannestiel poses with Jeremy Thurston chairperson Board of Trustees [left] and former chairperson Robert Brvenik [right] after accepting the university's institutional charter.](https://uticatangerine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/unnamed.jpeg)
Grace VanEtten recently achieved a remarkable accomplishment for a rising sophomore. VanEtten, who is majoring in biology with minors in chemistry and health care ethics, participated in a research program at UMass Chan Medical School over the summer.
For ten weeks, she was immersed in practical laboratory research focusing on various proteins that regulate the cell cycle.
“Specifically I was studying a protein that regulates the spindle pole body in yeast,” VanEtten said. “I was looking at when my protein got activated and if the function changed at this activation. That was our overall question and what we explored for the summer.”
She explained that she went into this program knowing nothing about what they were researching and “left knowing everything.”
Dr. Adam Pack, distinguished professor of biology and Nathan Rice, May 2024 graduate, were two figures who encouraged and supported her throughout her interest in research.
As a freshman, she went to one of Rice’s presentations about his research adventures and became thrilled to have the chance to gain her own experiences. Unaware that this year, she would make a presentation to other freshmen that was similar to his.
“From that moment on, Nathan kinda became my upperclassmen mentor and he taught me a lot about these programs,” VanEtten said.
During the summer and fall semesters, she initially participated in research with Dr. Pack in the biology department.
As a rising sophomore, she clarified, it was made apparent to her that her odds of being accepted into these research programs were limited, but not nonexistent.
“Dr. Pack made it clear that I don’t have a great chance but you have a chance because you started research early and a lot of other experiences to put on your resume but just don’t be disappointed,” VanEtten said. “He for sure encouraged me to apply for the research program and I don’t think I would have otherwise.”
She said that she “wouldn’t have done it without the two of them.”
Following her summer research experience, she came to some realizations regarding her future career path. She plans to pursue graduate school, most likely medical school, after her time at Utica.
”I definitely want to explore the options but I did learn that this is something I would not want to do full time,” VanEtten said. “Before I didn’t really know, research was just a concept to me like maybe I would absolutely love it and I really did like it but after doing it full time for ten weeks straight, I was like there’s no way I can do this for the rest of my life.”
She clarified that while it is not something she would like to pursue full-time, she has learned that she wants to become a doctor and has considered becoming both a doctor of medicine and a doctor of science, which involves some research.
Outside of the science realm, VanEtten takes interest in a variety of hobbies and activities.
“The gym is my biggest hobby outside of school but I also love art and was actually planning on going to art school before choosing medical school,” VanEtten said. “I love to paint, draw, and I also really enjoy singing and I am trying to figure out how to be involved in our campus quire this semester.”
She then explained that during her freshman year and this past summer, she kind of got carried away with the sciences, missing out on the opportunity to explore other things.
“I am struggling a little bit with this right now if I am being entirely honest,” VanEtten said. “Where I’m so into the sciences and the medical things that I am struggling to take myself out of it and finding outside hobbies.”
However, her intense love for the gym has continued through college and she said that “if I am not on campus, I am probably at the gym.”
VanEtten carries a piece of advice with her that has helped her throughout all the trials and tribulations while attending college.
“Something I always say which is partly a joke and partly not is ‘it’s never that serious,’” VanEtten said. “I am very in the mindset that it’s never worth it to deteriorate your own mental health over something.”
She adds that she knows it is difficult for college students to have that kind of mindset and that she had experienced moments in her life when she thought the world was ending.
“There’s always new things you can do, always more you can do, there’s always different things you can try,” VanEtten said.
She emphasized the value of giving it your all and then letting things work themselves out: “Try your damnedest to do as well as you can and do everything you possibly can do but if it doesn’t go the way you want it to go, it’s okay.”
