Penn State Behrend’s Class of 2025 is ready to make its mark on the world. We’re proud of our students and all that they have learned and accomplished here at Behrend. Over the next several weeks, we will introduce you to a few of our remarkable seniors who have conducted valuable research, pioneered innovation, overcome challenges, and engaged in college life in a big way.

Today, we’d like you to meet Nyla Zorbas.

Major: Biology; Genetic and Developmental Biology option

Minors: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Hometown: Aliquippa, Pennsylvania

Scholarships: Wolves Club of Erie

On choosing Behrend: I chose Behrend because it has a smaller campus with wonderful faculty and many research opportunities.

Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: Presenting my research work on downy mildew, a fungus that effects grapes, at an international conference, the Plant and Animal Genome Conference, in San Diego, California.

Campus involvement: I was in Science Ambassadors, Biology club, and TriBeta.

Her top priority in the coming years: To continue to learn and grow in my research with plant pathology.

Advice for first-year students: You aren’t alone. Everyone around you is new to this as well. Go out and make friends, join clubs, talk with your professors. Who knows what opportunities may arise?

Parting thoughts: I’m thankful for all the support I’ve received over the last four years. I would not have been able to do this without my family and the faculty here at Behrend.

Nyla has accepted a position in a plant pathology laboratory after her graduation in May.