Fighting Cancer, Cell by Cell

Hometown: Bayou L'Ourse

Now resides in: Chicago

Degree: 2005, B.S., Environmental Science

Further education: I'm a doctoral candidate in cellular and molecular biology at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine.

How I got to Tech: My cousin had gone to a basketball camp with the Lady Techsters. She introduced me to Tech. When I was in high school, I went to the Ark-La-Tex concert and liked the campus. In particular, because I am from south Louisiana, I liked the new culture of north Louisiana.

After graduating: I applied to doctoral programs all over the nation.

What I do now: Because I have passed my qualifying exams and required coursework, I am focusing on research. I have multiple experiments going on at all times. Right now, I am working on pre-clinical trials for a potential treatment of colorectal cancer. This treatment has very little side effects in animal models. I just received $9,000 in funding from the Malkin family, which awards millions of dollars to scientific research all over the nation.

How Tech prepared me for a competitive doctoral program: At Tech, I was able to work in a molecular biology lab and get real research experience. Faculty members went out of their way to make me understand what research was all about. Had I gone to a school with a larger biology program, it would have been harder to get one-on-one experience with faculty members.

Tips on choosing a major: Don't choose one at first. Feel around, see what you like and then choose something.

Memories of Tech: Whenever I think of college, I think of being in the Louisiana Tech Band of Pride. I was also in Phi Mu Alpha Symphonia, which is a music fraternity. I dedicated tons of time to the band and the fraternity.

I knew I was grown up when: My wife and I became parents.

If I weren't working in molecular/cellular biology, I'd probably be: I can't imagine myself doing anything else.

If I've learned one thing in life, it is: Nothing is too hard to overcome. You can do anything as long as you're willing to work hard to do it.

Do you know of a Tech Triumph? Let us know.