The College of Science is excited to celebrate our Spring 2020 Honors Award recipients for the UNT Biological Sciences Department. We asked these outstanding students to share a little bit about thier journey in the sciences or a little wisdom or advice for their fellow scientific scholars. Join us in celebrating thier achievements!
Outstanding Biology Undergraduate: Jenil Rana
"Even growing up I was always interested in research and learning how the human body works in a dynamic environment. I choose biology not just to learns facts and concepts but also to explore and expand those concepts to create ideas that could further improve society. I plan to gradate in spring 2021 with a Bachelors in Biology and a minor in Chemistry, and I'd like to attend medical school after I graduate."
Outstanding Biochemistry Undergraduate: Alliana Leigh Detorio
"It's important to actively learn the material for your classes in a way that the knowledge will carry with you beyond that one semester. That means you have to dedicate time outside of sitting in a lecture. Sciences classes especially build on each other, so the more you practice and understand the fundamentals, the better you will handle higher level courses."
Outstanding Ecology Undergraduate: Schyler Brown
"After graduating, I hope to go to graduate school and eventually work for a federal or state agency doing either biological technician work, research, or both. I'd like to primarily focus on the evolution of the genotype of raptors as they urbanize, and how their genes affect the genes of the wild type birds as they mingle at the edge of their respective habitats."
Outstanding Medical Laboratory Sciences Undergraduate: Shane Boettiger
"I found my interest in Medical Laboratory Science when I learned about the major on a campus tour, realizing that it was more focused on the kind of job I wanted. Health professions had always interested me, but I never aspired to be a nurse or doctor. I felt that my strengths lied in the technical, hands-on approach to problem solving characteristic of laboratory science. I plan to graduate Spring of 2021 after completing my clinical training with Tarleton State University's Medical Laboratory Science school."
Outstanding Undergraduate Researcher: Manal Fasih
"Set short-term and long-term goals for yourself to keep yourself focused and on track. This will help you with prioritization and time management throughout college. It's also important to relax and have fun to reward yourself for your hard work and avoid burning out."
Outstanding Graduate: David Burks
"I actually didn't know my major existed when I started graduate school. I was initially pursuing my PhD as a plant biochemist when I signed up for my first bioinformatics class. Here is this entire field of science that combines computer science and biology that I never paid attention to. Finally, I could combine two of my favorite things in life: studying biology and sitting behind a computer monitor for hours at a time. It's fantastic. The plan for graduation was going to be over the summer, but the world is a little preoccupied at the moment. My fingers are still crossed, though."
We invite all members of the UNT community to follow along as we celebrate the academic accomplishments of our students on Twitter via @UNTscience or #COSHonors2020!
Many have asked how they can help us support our community during these challenging times, so the university created a fund to help students who have immediate and pressing needs related to COVID-19. You can make a gift to the fund at http://one.unt.edu/untcares.
If you're a UNT student who needs financial support, apply here: https://www.unt.edu/staygreen