INBRE scholars: Meet Carlie Pickrel

Twenty-four undergraduate students are spending the summer conducting research.

They are called INBRE scholars and are part of the largest grant in UNMC history.

Today we meet Carlie Pickrel, from York, Neb., who will be a junior at Nebraska Wesleyan University. She is majoring in biology and minoring in chemistry and psychology.

Tell us about yourself. Who are your heroes?
I love to spend time with family and friends, watch movies, go to the lake and travel. There are many people in my life who have inspired me throughout the years. My parents are my heroes because they’ve always been there for me and continue to provide constant support to all my interests. I also look up to and am inspired by my professors and mentors who have pushed me throughout the years and given helpful advice.

What are your career goals?
My goal is to attend medical school to become a physician. I love the whole diagnostic aspect of medicine. By interacting with a patient and getting to know them/their body, you get to work hard and problem solve to figure out the issue.

How did you become interested in science?
Ever since grade school, I have been interested in science and medicine, which is odd because no one in my immediate family works in the sciences. They all thought I was slightly crazy when I went to medical camps, talked about viruses, became a phlebotomist, shared stories about dissecting a cadaver and more. Each admits they had no idea what I was talking about, and that they would’ve fainted. My older brother also played a role in my interest in science. He was constantly getting hurt in sports, so I would go to the hospital with him and get an inside look into science. It always ended up being more fun for me than him.

What do you hope the INBRE program will do for you?
The INBRE program already has made an impact in my life. It has expanded my knowledge of the opportunities and different paths within science. I have learned a lot from my mentor and lab assistant about research and different analytical procedures, viruses and so much more. This program is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I am thankful to be one of the scholars who gets to further their knowledge in the world of science.