Destinee Saunders

Smaldino lab researcher: January 2018 – June 2021

Current work

I currently work for an energy risk management firm called ACES Power in Carmel, IN, as a Senior IT Vendor Coordinator.

The college experience with research participation

My research aided in my understanding of higher-level concepts that I learned in my 300/400 level courses because I had the opportunity to practice these concepts prior to learning them in a formal classroom setting.

The impact of lab experience after graduation

Having research experience allowed me to discover that I enjoy documenting processes to ensure standard results. Although I did not decide to pursue a career in science, my research experience showcased my attention to detail and helped me land my current position.

Advice to current students

My advice is to take the time to sit and think about whether a life of academia or research is what you really want. Grad schools are looking for authenticity, and it’s hard to fake excitement for a topic that you have little interest in. I did not continue doing research after graduation, but the critical thinking skills that I learned along the way were way more valuable than anything else.

Siara Sandwith

Smaldino lab researcher: February 2018- July 2021.

Current work

I am currently attending the University of Michigan, working towards a Ph.D. in Cellular and Molecular Biology.

The college experience with research participation

Participating in research during undergrad was such a gift! I was always fascinated by learning the tiny details of different molecular cascades/pathways in class, but it’s even more exciting to discover a new step in a molecular mechanism that isn’t as well understood. In the classroom, you learn by hearing about what was already known; in the lab, you learn by generating new knowledge. 

In addition to enhancing my classroom learning, working in a lab gave me a greater sense of community within the Biology department. When I needed help with a new technique or troubleshooting, I could always go to the Rubenstein, Bernstein, or Roossien lab. The Smaldino lab was also blessed with a great lab culture. Some of my best friends today are people I worked with in the Smaldino lab. Experiments often fail, which can be demoralizing at times. But I had great lab mates who always made it such a joy to be in the lab, whether experiments went well or not.   

The impact of lab experience after graduation

Prior to working in a lab, I knew nothing about research or research career options. I thought a degree in biology meant you had to do something in the medical/health care field. I originally joined the lab to boost my resume to apply to genetic counseling graduate programs. However, after just a few months in the lab, I realized I loved research and quickly changed the direction I took with my graduate education (Ph.D. in biology instead of a master’s in GC). 

Advice to current students

As a jaded graduate student, I’m going to be honest. People don’t like to take this advice, including me.  My advice to someone applying for graduate school: Mentorship should ALWAYS be prioritized over any other factor when choosing a lab. Join a lab where you will receive good training and mentorship. Mentorship is more important than your actual graduate program/degree (e.g., cancer vs. immunology vs. genetics vs. biochemistry — doesn’t matter). Be open to different areas of research, don’t be set on a particular field. You might be surprised to find something new you enjoy. Graduate school is about learning how to think. Once you learn how to think, you can easily learn the background of any field and come up with your own interesting research questions for a field new to you. If you have to switch graduate programs to join the lab that will set you up to succeed, SWITCH programs. And NEVER prioritize research interest over lab mentorship and lab culture.

Some people argue that they need to at least be excited about the research they do. With all due respect, they are wrong. Things could be worse than just being a little bored with your thesis project.

Meredith Sharlow

Smaldino lab researcher: August 2019 – June 2021

Current work

I work for Bureau Veritas as a contract scientist studying pulmonary fibrosis and systemic scleroderma.

The college experience with research participation

I would not have my current job if it weren’t for gaining undergraduate research experience at Ball State. My lab work helped me to better understand my coursework by applying what I learned.

The impact of lab experience after graduation

Through participating in research work at Ball State, I learned about the biotechnology certificate and enrolled in the program. Because of the biotechnology program and my lab experience, I applied to the BSU and Lilly Co-op program. From there, I was matched with my current lab, where I worked for a year as a co-op student and transitioned into a contract scientist role after the co-op ended. I love my job and am passionate about the research that I do. I would not have found my current job or research niche without my undergraduate research experience.

Advice to current students

I highly recommend the biotechnology program if you are considering research jobs or grad school. I took one BIOT class as a trial run before committing to the program and loved it. I joined Dr. Smaldino’s lab because of my BIOT PCR class and wanted to learn what a research job would entail. The Biotechnology program is a great way to figure out if you’d enjoy research. You meet professors and learn about the research being done at Ball State.

Michael Reisinger

Smaldino lab researcher: January 2018 – June 2021

Current work

I work in the post-life department of LabCorp

The college experience with research participation

It was both hectic and valuable. It certainly took up a lot of time, and I was up at weird hours to get both lab work and assignments done. The research differed somewhat from my major, so I couldn’t apply much of what I learned to either. However, it did expose me to a wider range of science than I otherwise would have been, which expanded my view of life and biology considerably.

The impact of lab experience after graduation

I found my research experience extremely beneficial in interviews. Most of my interviews have involved STAR (situation, task, action, and result) questions, and having a background that involved being in a lot of situations relating to critical thinking and problem solving allowed me to provide answers that never disappointed.

Advice to current students

Go for it. As for general advice for applying in my field:

1. Résumés only get you in the door for an interview; don’t sweat them too much.

2. Be personable and professional during the interview.

3. Write a cover letter to express your interest in whatever you’re applying for; people in science tend to love it when others express interest in science.