The Nebraska Institutional Development Award Program (IDeA) Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) program has welcomed 26 undergraduate students from across Nebraska as they embark on their summer research experience at Creighton University, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and UNMC.
Below, Molly Kohlbek talks about her INBRE experience.
What should we know about you?
I have always been very curious about the world around me, and learning has always been one of my greatest passions. I am the youngest and only girl of four children and I love to spend time with my family. I also enjoy being outside, including bike riding, running, and boating. I attend the University of Nebraska at Kearney and am majoring in chemistry.
Who influenced your interest in science?
My parents have always fostered a love of learning, and after a sports injury ended my career in high school, I became interested in science. I owe my success so far to Dr. Lori Reed, a former orthopaedic surgeon at UNMC, and Dr. Kristy Kounovsky-Shafer, who has been my undergraduate research mentor and advocate at UNK for the last two years. These women have been powerful influences in my life and both have encouraged me to strive for excellence in everything I do.
What is it about science that excites you?
Being able to change so many lives is a powerful driving force for me. I also love being able to do things in the lab that no one else has ever done. I enjoy challenging myself, and the ever-changing field of scientific research offers me new opportunities every day.
Will you pursue a career in science? If so, what do you hope to accomplish?
I hope to attend graduate school after receiving my bachelor’s degree in chemistry. My ultimate goal is to do research with a pharmaceutical company with a focus on developing drugs to fight neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
Why is it important to have programs like INBRE?
INBRE is such a phenomenal program because it is an opportunity for undergraduates who are seriously considering a career in research to get more guided experience in the field. It also gives us a chance to see if it is something we are actually interested in without investing the time and money into graduate school first. I believe all experience is good experience, whether it guides you in the direction you want to go or gives you an indication that this is not a field you want to pursue.