Q. What brought you to Wheaton?

A: I initially didn't want to come to Wheaton. My dad is an alumnus and, without pressuring me, had suggested it. I didn't want to be legacy though. That changed when I came to visit during my senior year and stayed with a sophomore. That night was fantastic and involved all the highlights of the Wheaton community, including being roped into performing as a cheerleader in front of a substantial part of the student body. My excitement over that Christian community atmosphere and the strength of the science program persuaded me to apply.

Q. What is your major?

A: I am a biology major. I toyed with declaring an ancient languages major alongside that, but the only actual need to do this was to feed my ego. So, I settled on just biology, which is fine by me.

Q. What do you like about your major?

A: The draw to biology is God. You can see God on the macro level of biology, but once you start digging down to the microscopic and molecular level, everything is fantastic. I feel like revealing all of that is an act of worship, giving glory to God for the absolutely amazing systems he's created.

Some people may think that science is inherently godless, and it can be when you try to make it so, but I disagree with this generalization. Research and study are windows into God's glory that we wouldn't have otherwise. The things that we find are not new, but have been around as long as life. It's just that we can only now recognize them and give honor to God for them."

Q. Can you describe one of your academic projects?

A: Last year I worked on a project with Dr. Rorem which concerns the hydroid Cordylophora caspia. We were examining how the hydroid, as an invasive species in the Great Lakes, interacts with fellow invasive species the zebra mussel and the local fish populations.

My main job was to take samples gathered from docks in the Great Lakes and pull out uprights, strings of colonial hydroid polyps. I then used a 40x magnification dissecting microscope to gently pull the polyps open with pins to isolate and identify their gut contents.

As this project continues, the work will hopefully determine if the hydroids are eating the same prey that fish need, possibly negatively affecting the fish populations.

I chose not to work on research this year because I chose to be an RA in Fischer dorm, and that's my primary commitment. I feel incredibly blessed to be able to serve the men on my floor.

Q. What would you like to do after graduation?

A: I figure that I'll move on to grad school. If I can get away with it, I won't leave academia. Ever. I hope to teach biology at a collegiate level so I not only get to be involved with students, but also perform research. The trick will be finding a school that will not only hire me, but will also be a place where I can faithfully serve God.