Grace Jaworski fell in love with biology in high school.
“I’ve known since my freshman year,” said the recent Nebraska INBRE Scholar, recalling the honors biology course and that moment when “everything clicked.”
It happened as she looked through a microscope, asking questions the class couldn’t answer. “I knew then that biology was the right fit for me.”
How did she know? “I had like 10 questions and my teacher was like ‘Oh, we’re not sure,’ and ‘Oh, we don’t know about that either.’ I realized there’s so much about science we don’t know, and I saw how much still needs to be contributed to the field.
“The ability to always ask more questions and feel like you can never stop, that’s what being a scientist is. All you do is ask a question to give yourself more questions. When I realized you can make a career out of asking questions and attempting to find answers, I knew it fit me.”
It wasn’t until she studied biology at Creighton University and worked in the lab of Lynne Dieckman, PhD, that she discovered, applied and joined the NE-INBRE program, a two-year program that supports students financially in their pursuit of scientific research.
“INBRE was critical for my professional development,” she said. “That first summer in the program was the most clarifying experience ever. I got to work at UNMC and ask so many questions of the PhD students. I talked their ear off every day and live their life for 10 weeks. That changed everything.”
She returned to Creighton and Dr. Dieckman’s lab, grateful for the opportunities NE-INBRE provided. “I had a lot more responsibility in the lab, was funded and had gained independence. Now, I feel I have the tools to start a PhD program and start it with confidence. INBRE was critical in getting me ready.”
Jaworski’s undergraduate research work involved the study of two proteins – PCNA and CAF-1 – and the way they interact to properly organize DNA to avoid genome instability and disease.
NE-INBRE also provided funded travel experiences, which allowed Jaworski to present her research across the country. In March, she placed third in the Big East Undergraduate Research Poster Symposium, held at Madison Square Garden in New York city.
“I’ve loved majoring in biology,” the recent Creighton University graduate said. “And, I’m so excited to get my PhD and become a biologist.”
This fall, the Downers Grove, Illinois native will attend the University of California, Berkeley, to pursue her PhD in biology with a long-term goal of being a biology professor.
She’ll also, this fall, formally receive The James Turpen INBRE Scholar Excellence Award, in honor of UNMC’s former NE-INBRE principal investigator. The cash award ($500) goes to the top graduating scholar that is attending graduate school.
“The award is such a compliment and an honor,” Jaworski said. “I’m just so grateful to be recognized. Both the Creighton faculty and other INBRE faculty have given me so much.”
Would she recommend NE-INBRE to others? “Absolutely. If you’ve ever considered graduate school, INBRE is absolutely the best thing you could do. INBRE increased my confidence as a student and was the best thing for me as an undergraduate researcher.”