On May 29, the Nebraska Institutional Development Award program (IDeA) Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) program welcomed 28 undergraduate students from across Nebraska as they embark on their summer research experience at Creighton University, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
The breakdown of this year’s 28 INBRE Scholars include:
- Representatives of nine colleges and universities;
- 18 women; and
- 10 men.
Below Molly Myers, an economics major, pre-med, biophysics and mathematics minor at Creighton University talks about her INBRE experience.
What should we know about you?
I love economics almost more than I love science, and I am working on an economics paper I hope to publish soon.
What or who influenced your interest in science?
My parents. Both work in health care but did not have the opportunities to take rigorous science classes or work directly in the medical field, so the opportunities they gave me have been exciting simply because they enjoy hearing about it, too.
What is it about science that excites you?
The problem-solving aspect. I love math simply because every equation and problem is like a new puzzle to solve. A lot of the lab work and problems solved in lab are like puzzles in the same way.
Will you pursue a career in science? If so, what do you hope to accomplish?
I intend to pursue a career in science. I want to run a lab or conduct clinical trials. I want to work on cancer or Alzheimer’s.
Why is it important to have programs like INBRE?
Without INBRE, a lot of talented people would not have the opportunity or resources to explore a field they could potentially love and make a huge difference in for the future.