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 Kira Hannon of Omaha, a biology and psychology major at Wayne State College.
Tell me about yourself. Who are your heroes?
My heroes include my brother, who is 13 years older than me. He has always had a huge ambition and been a great role model for me to look up to. He went back to school because he joined the Navy as a hospital corpsman, so I love that we’re taking a lot of the same classes and we can talk about them and ask each other questions.
How did you become interested in science?
Science was always one of my favorite subjects growing up, but I think my interest was really piqued in 7th grade, when my homeroom teacher was also a wonderful science teacher who had a very contagious enthusiasm.
My homeroom teacher in 8th grade was also my science teacher, and I loved being able to ask them questions.
What are your career goals?
My career goal is essentially to be in a position where I’m helping people and enjoying doing so. I’d like to do this through medical school or an M.D./Ph.D. program, but there are also many options through psychology that I love as well.
What do you hope the INBRE program will do for you?
I’m hoping the INBRE program helps me to narrow down what I would like to do in the future, as well as showing me more options that are available. I love the experience that I can gain from the program, as well as the amazing opportunities and professionals that I can meet.