Category: School of Science

Standout Seniors: Meet Alix Lytle (Biology)

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Penn State Behrend’s Class of 2026 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 Alix Lytle.

Major: Biology; Health Professions option

Hometown: Warren, Pennsylvania

Why she chose Behrend: I chose Behrend because of its campus size and how connected to nature you can be. After being here for four years, I’ve realized there are so many more great reasons—number one being the faculty and staff. They’re here to help you succeed and reach your full potential. Looking back, they’re a huge reason for my success, both personally and academically.

Why she chose her major: Genuine care for others has always been central to who I am. It started when I was young and saw my mom dealing with constant back pain. At the time, I couldn’t do anything to ease what she was going through, but I knew someday I wanted to help—not just her, but others in similar situations. That moment first inspired my desire to care for people.

Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: Stepping out of my shell. That might sound surprising to anyone who knows me now because I’m an outgoing person. But if first-year me had been told I would join multiple clubs and be preparing to move to South Carolina in just a few months, she would have thought that sounded impossible. It took time, encouragement, and a lot of pushing myself outside my comfort zone, but I’m incredibly proud of the person I’ve become. Behrend helped me grow into someone more confident, involved, and willing to take risks, and that personal growth is something I’ll carry with me into every new chapter ahead.

Campus involvement: Science Ambassadors, Lion Ambassadors, Student Government Association (public relations and senator), Random Acts of Kindness (public relations), Welcome Week guide, Biology Club, and tour guide.

Her highest priority: Continuing to be curious and learning how to be the best chiropractor I can be. Just as important to me is staying close to the people who mean the most in my life. Being ten hours away from them will be challenging, but I know I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.

Advice for first-year students: Allow yourself grace. You won’t be the same person four years from now, when you’re graduating, and that’s a good thing. Growth requires mistakes, setbacks, and moments where things don’t go the way you planned. Those messy, uncomfortable experiences are often the ones that shape you the most. So give yourself permission to struggle, to change your mind, and to evolve. Every challenge you face—or C you may get—is not the end of the world. It’s part of becoming the person you’re meant to be.

Parting words: I want to send a huge thank you to my mom and dad. Without their constant love and support, I wouldn’t be the person I am today. Every accomplishment I’ve achieved is rooted in the foundation they gave me: my work ethic, my compassion for others, and the belief that I can do hard things.

After her graduation in May, Alix will attend Sherman College of Chiropractic in South Carolina to become a Doctor of Chiropractic.

Standout Seniors 2026: Meet Himani Karia (Biology)

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Penn State Behrend’s Class of 2026 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 Himani Karia.

Major: Biology, Healthcare Professions option

Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Scholarship: Penn State Erie Alumni Scholarship

Why she chose Behrend: When I toured the campus during my senior year of high school, I felt a sense of belonging. I was drawn to the small class sizes, opportunities to get involved, and the beautiful campus scenery. I wanted to choose a college that felt like home, and Behrend was the epitome of that.

Why she chose her major: My interest in biology started in middle school when I learned about science topics related to DNA, disease, and healthcare. I wanted to choose a major where I could learn about key systems and processes in biology that would provide me with a good foundation to prepare me as a future healthcare professional.

Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: Developing my leadership skills. By joining Lion Ambassadors, becoming a Resident Assistant, and joining Student Government Association, I learned how to manage my time and responsibilities, how to communicate effectively, and how to serve the community at Behrend and in Erie.

Campus involvement: Student Government Association (secretary, senator, Constitutional Review Committee chair), Resident Assistant, Lion Ambassadors (Constitution Committee chair, Internal Affairs Committee chair), Multicultural Council (promotions coordinator), and Scrubs Club.

Awards: President Walker Award, Dean’s List.

What you’d be surprised to know about her: I studied an Indian classical dance called Bharatanatyam for eight years and did many stage performances. Also, I can play the ukulele and sing three octaves.

What she’s passionate about: Serving the community. I want to become a physician who can combine scientific and clinical knowledge to find a cure for health issues or illnesses that don’t have a cure. That way I can serve the community in the most meaningful way.

After her graduation in May, Himani plans to pursue a career as a physician.

Standout Seniors 2026: Meet Brooke Korb (Biology)

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Penn State Behrend’s Class of 2026 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 Brooke Korb.

A young woman with long dark hair and glasses smiles at the camera from a grassy field filled with artificial sunflowers.

Major: Biology

Minor: Politics and Government

Hometown: Erie, Pennsylvania

Scholarships: PNC Leadership Scholarship and Chancellor’s Scholarship

Awards and accolades: ATHENA Young Professional Award finalist, Aaron Meehl Biology Award (Outstanding Rising Senior), Christopher M. Geitner Award, Guy W. Wilson Award for Service to the College, Most Outstanding Student Organization Member, and President Walker Award.

Why she chose Behrend: I was fortunate to visit Behrend often in middle school and high school. A few of my family members are also Penn State alumni. With every experience I had on campus, I was exposed to great people and engaging lectures. It also stood out to me that Behrend was a smaller campus, meaning I could get to know my professors and classmates very well.

Why she chose her major: I love science and wanted to learn how I could apply it to help others in need, especially in the public health sector. I’m deeply interested in the intersection of science and social issues. The biology coursework at Behrend was flexible in letting me explore this interest.

Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: During my first year on campus, I participated in my first Alternative Spring Break trip to Fort Myers, Florida. We helped with disaster relief efforts after Hurricane Ian. It was an eye-opening, emotional experience that deeply impacted me as a person. I loved serving alongside other Behrend students and connecting with them at this level. I was an ASB student leader for three more trips. It has been a transformative experience for me.

Campus involvement: Alternative Spring Break, Lion Ambassadors, Science Ambassadors, Lion Scouts, Women’s Engagement Council, Gender and Sexuality Equality Club, and Random Acts of Kindness.

What you’d be surprised to know about her: During my sophomore-year ASB trip, I volunteered at the El Yunque National Forest in Puerto Rico. I got to assist with trail maintenance, which included carrying buckets of rocks up and down trails as it rained.

What she’s passionate about: Getting out of my comfort zone. If I hadn’t gotten over my fears or anxieties, my life would have looked a lot different than it does now. We owe it to ourselves to be a little daring from time to time.

Advice for first-year students: College is your time to explore. Nothing is set in stone. You may end up changing your major or anticipated career path, and that’s okay! The most important thing is that you follow your passion and do what makes you happy.

After her graduation in May, Brooke plans to attend Slippery Rock University to pursue a Master of Public Health degree with a concentration in environmental and occupational health.

Infinite Lizards, Infinite Beauty

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Math and art converge in Behrend’s growing “geometry gallery”

By Heather Cass, Publications Manager, Penn State Behrend

Math isn’t always numbers on a chalkboard. Sometimes it’s a work of art—a swirl of repeating lizards, 3-D printed in Penn State blue and white, then installed in a building where math, art, and science intersect. The lizards blend together in a hypnotic pattern, each appearing to shrink as it spirals toward infinity.  

The piece, Lizards that Tessellate the Hyperbolic Disk, was imagined by Dr. Joseph Previte, professor of mathematics, who wanted to capture the beauty of mathematics in a form anyone could see.

He took the design to the James R. Meehl Innovation Commons, the college’s open ideation lab, where engineering students Anthony Farrar and Quinlan Barnes transformed Previte’s concept into reality with 3-D-printed tiles and a sharp eye for symmetry.

The result is art born from math—or perhaps math revealed as art.

Dutch artist M.C. Escher showed the world that geometry could be beautiful with his mesmerizing tessellations and optical illusions, where patterns unfolded in ways both precise and poetic.

“For centuries, mathematicians questioned the value of studying this type of geometry, dismissed it as impractical and useless, with no relation to reality,” Previte said. “But it later proved essential to modern science, including helping Einstein describe how time and space work in his theory of relativity.”

While some mathematicians ridiculed the study of abstract math, others reveled in it. English mathematician G.H. Hardy argued that mathematics was a pure art form, divorced from practicality—something he took great pride in. Hardy’s theories later laid the groundwork for encryption, proving that beauty and utility often travel together.

That same tension—between abstraction and application, imagination and reality—now hangs on the wall at Behrend.  

Lizards that Tessellate the Hyperbolic Disk joins an existing sculpture, Math in Flight, a stage-5 Sierpinski tetrahedron, a fractal shape featuring a pattern of infinite triangles, that hangs high above the entrance to Roche Hall in the Science Complex.  

Math Club students built the sculpture using Zometool construction parts. It consists of 2,050 white balls and 6,144 red-and-blue struts.

Previte has plans to continue adding to the mathematics art gallery.

“I’d like to do the Platonic solids next,” he said. “I am currently looking for a student in Innovation Commons to make that project a reality.”

Standout Seniors 2025: Meet Nyla Zorbas (Biology)

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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.

Standout Seniors 2025: Meet Megan Bienkowski (Nursing)

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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 Megan Bienkowski.

Major: Nursing

Hometown:  Johnsonburg, Pennsylvania

Scholarships: Penn State Provost Award, PNC Leadership Scholarship, TODD Scholarship

On choosing Behrend: I decided on Behrend because it felt like the right fit for me. It’s not too far from home. It’s not too big and not too small. Behrend has great people, and after I toured Behrend, I knew it was the place for me.

Why she chose her major: I knew I wanted to do something within the medical field. I was originally looking at physician assistant or a physical therapy program. My mom suggested nursing because it had a lot of opportunities and was a good foundation if I wanted to continue with my schooling. This led me to Penn State Behrend and Nursing.

Her proudest accomplishment at Behrend: My proudest accomplishment at Behrend was being selected to dance and represent Behrend Benefiting THON and Penn State THON in their 46-hour-no-sleep-or-sit dance marathon to raise awareness and funds for families experiencing pediatric cancer. This was such an amazing accomplishment, and I am glad to say I represented Behrend at THON.

On overcoming challenges: A lot of my challenges came from balancing work, school, clubs, and social life. Nursing school is tough as it is but trying to be active in my clubs (while on multiple executive boards), work, and have time to hang out with my friends was definitely a struggle. Trying to find that perfect balance wasn’t easy, and at times I would just shut down. In the end, everything I did was worth it. I do not regret my decisions because it was a learning experience I can take and use for the rest of my life.

Campus involvement: Lion Entertainment Board (entertainment specialist on the LEB board for four years), Student Nurses Association of Pennsylvania (secretary), Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority (treasurer, president), Behrend Benefiting THON (special events co-chair), on-campus job as a night building assistant for almost two years in the Student Leadership and Involvement Office, Welcome Week guide and leader.

Awards and honors: Excellence in Leadership and Service award from Student Leadership and Involvement for “Most Outstanding Student Organization Officer” for my work with LEB.

What makes her unique: I think what makes me unique is my personality. I would like to think I am a hard worker, but also someone who likes to have fun! I enjoy making people laugh and having a good time.

What people might be surprised to know about her: I enjoy listening to a lot of rock/punk/alternative music.

Her top priority for the coming years: My highest priority for the coming years is continuing my education and getting experience in the field of nursing. I would like to attend a graduate program at some point in the future, but I want to work for a bit first.

Her passions : I am very passionate about my relationships. I don’t think I would have been able to get through college without my friends and family. I value and love these relationships so much. This is something I am truly passionate about.

Advice for first-year students: Get out there and get involved. Go to that event and talk to someone new. I used to go home all the time or stay in my room, but once I started joining clubs and being active on campus, I never wanted to leave campus. Behrend offers so many opportunities for personal and social growth. I would not be the person I am today if I hadn’t gone out and made an opportunity for myself. Also, don’t be afraid to ask for help. I used to be very shy and try to do everything on my own. Everyone at Behrend wants you to succeed, so don’t be afraid to ask for help if you’re struggling in any way.

After graduation in May, Megan will work as an Emergency Room nurse at AHN Saint Vincent.

Standout Seniors 2025: Meet Abigayle Lipscomb (Biology)

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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 Abigayle Lipscomb.

Major: Biology

Minor: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Hometown: Waynesburg, Pennsylvania

Scholarships: Behrend Honors Scholarship

On choosing Behrend: I chose Behrend because I liked the campus atmosphere. It was a good fit for what I wanted for my undergrad experience; it was small without feeling cramped and large without feeling overwhelming. Despite being on the 2+2 track, I decided to stay due to the wonderful community I built during my time here.

On choosing her major: I wanted to pursue a career in the medical field, and I felt that biology would best prepare me for that.

Her proudest accomplishment at Behrend: I won first place in my division at the 2024 Sigma Xi Conference for my poster on “Effects of cortisol on the expression of placental iron transport proteins and extracellular vesicles.” It was a real confidence booster and made me feel more secure in my abilities to communicate effectively, something especially important for a doctor.

Student involvement: I am currently the vice president of the Biology Club, where our big spring event is the community Pre-Historic Egg Hunt. I am also a member of Science Ambassadors and Beta Beta Beta.

Awards and honors: In addition to my first-place award at the 2024 Sigma Xi Conference, I also received two research grants for the summer of 2024: the Erickson Discovery Grant and the Penn State Behrend Undergraduate Student Summer Research Fellowship, both of which allowed me to continue and expand upon my research on placental iron transport proteins.

What makes her unique: I believe that my compassion and ability to connect with people from diverse backgrounds sets me apart from others. I am easily able to strike up a conversation with strangers, listen to whatever they say, and respond appropriately. This has been most beneficial when interacting with patients during my shadowing and clinical experiences.

What people might be surprised to know about her: I am pretty good at trivia and enjoy learning random new facts, but I’m especially good at identifying songs and their artists. My friends often call me to hum a melody in hopes that I’ll be able to identify the tune. 

Her top priority for the coming years: My highest priority will be continuing my education as I study to become an optometrist.

Her passion: I am passionate about optometry. I believe that it is an overlooked (no pun intended) aspect of our overall health. Due to the overwhelming intricacies of healthcare, people tend to put it on the back burner in favor of what they deem to be more pressing issues, like knee pain or a tooth ache, and ignore their eyes until they can’t see. This is obviously harmful as deeper issues could be going on that could have irreversible effects on their vision. I hope to educate patients on the importance of their eye health, especially within rural, low-income areas, where people are most at risk of eye disease, which can greatly affect their overall wellbeing.

After graduation in May, Abigayle plans to attend Salus University to become an optometrist.

Standout Seniors 2025: Meet Emma Whiteman (Biology)

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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 Emma Whiteman.

Major: Biology, Health Professions option

Minor: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Hometown: Harborcreek, Pennsylvania

Scholarships: Chancellor’s Scholarship.

Awards: I completed the Behrend Honors Program and was inducted into Chi Alpha Sigma Athletic Honor Society.

Why she chose Behrend: I liked the location. It feels semi-rural, but is not far from major shopping areas and downtown Erie. Also, the smaller class sizes gave me the ability to get to know my professors, which really helped with my studies.  

Why she chose her major: I have wanted to go into the medical field for years and Biology gave me the best foundation be able to take the Medical College Admissions Test and achieve my goal of becoming a doctor.

Campus involvement: I was a dual-sport athlete competing in Swimming and Diving and the Track and Field Teams. I was also treasurer of the Biology club and a Science Ambassador.

Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: Helping to host fun youth outreach events, including Boo-ology and the Prehistoric Easter Egg Hunt.

Highest priority in the coming years: To get a job within the medical field to gain as much information as possible before going to medical school.

Advice for first-year students: College will be challenging at times, and you will struggle. Just stay positive and remember that while grades are important, they are not the only important thing in college. Make time for yourself and to have some fun, too.

After her graduation in May, Emma plans to work in the medical field for a couple of years before attending medical school.

Standout Seniors 2025: Meet Keri Saulino (Environmental Science)

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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: Keri Saulino

Major: Environmental Science

Minors: Biology, Sustainability Leadership

Hometown: Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Scholarships: Gerald Bayles Memorial Scholarship, the Penn State Provost Award from the Schreyer Honors College, and the Chancellor’s Scholarship.

On choosing Behrend: The main reason I came to Behrend was because my major only exists here; however, the longer I have been at Behrend, the more I have appreciated it. The people at Behrend are so friendly, and having such easy access to Wintergreen Gorge, Lake Erie, and so many other natural areas for geoscience and ecology classes really enhanced my learning experience.

On choosing her major: I really care about the planet. The air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we grow are all supported by the environment. Knowing how climate change affects our natural systems and the people across the globe inspired me to learn what I can do to help.

Her proudest accomplishment at Behrend: I earned second place in undergraduate oral presentations at the Regional Science Consortium conference for my research on round gobies. I had presented at conferences before, but never an oral presentation, nor had I won anything before.

Awards:  AMCC All-Sportsmanship Team Award twice for good sportsmanship; President Walker Award (4.0 GPA), Outstanding Freshman in Chemistry/American Chemical Society Award, First-Year Writing Award, President Sparks Award, Academic Excellence in Environmental Science – Research Award, Dean’s list throughout college years.

Campus involvement: I am a Schreyer Scholar and was on the Behrend Schreyer council as the secretary for one year and vice president for two years. I played on the women’s tennis team starting in my second year and was the team captain in my senior year. I am a Science Ambassador and am highly involved with Greener Behrend, where I served as treasurer for one year and as president for the last two years. This past year, I also took on the role of sustainable lab consultant, where I go into a lab on campus and work to find ways to make it more sustainable.

On overcoming challenges: Maintaining good mental health throughout school, and life in general, has been a bit of a challenge. I would describe myself as a perfectionist, but life is not perfect, making it sometimes hard to be proud of accomplishments or feel satisfied in my work. This has also made it difficult to start projects, as I worry about them not being “perfect.” The phrase “if something is worth doing, it is worth doing badly” has helped me a lot, showing that something done poorly is better than not trying at all. I have been trying to do more new things, no matter how bad, and it has helped me to let go of some of the pressure I put on myself.

What makes her unique: I was obsessed with cooking shows as a kid and would recreate dishes myself. This experience has been helpful in the present day because I love to do my own plant-based cooking and come up with new recipes. I love bringing a dish or sharing something I’ve made with others so they can taste how good vegan food can be.

What you may be surprised to know about her: I really enjoy seeing and making art, especially what may be seen as odd. I like pieces that confuse me and make me think. I did ceramics throughout high school, making a large jar with four faces on it, a Tim Burton inspired jack-in-the-box, a skull with vines coming out of it, and more. I am trying to get into painting right now, and I hope to have a ceramics studio someday.

Have passport, will travel: Aside from my career goals, my personal goals in the immediate future are do more traveling, go to more festivals, and attend more concerts. I went to the Bahamas and Iceland as a study abroad trip while at Behrend, and this opened my eyes to how much more there is to see and experience.

Her passions: A lot of my hobbies and interests have turned into my desire to be more sustainable. I love to watch videos on sustainable actions, read books on the causes of climate change, and talk to people about these topics. It brings me joy to know I am making a difference.

Advice for first-year students: Prioritize your schoolwork, but also include time for fun and for breaks. You will not forget the friends and memories you make along the way.

After her graduation in May, Keri plans to pursue a career in conservation or sustainable development. She also plans to attend graduate school after gaining some experience in her field.

Standout Seniors 2025: Meet Jason Chen (Biology)

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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 Jason Chen.

Major: Biology

Minor: Psychology

Hometown: Hopewell, Virginia

Scholarships: Lincoln Trustee Scholarship, Provost Award, Penn State Academic Grant, Bunton Waller Scholarship, PNC leadership Scholarship.

Why he chose Behrend: I chose Penn State Behrend because of its beautiful and inviting campus, which immediately made me feel at home. The natural surroundings created an environment where I knew I could thrive both academically and personally. Additionally, the students I spoke with before enrolling highly recommended Behrend and emphasized the unique opportunities it offers. They shared their experiences with hands-on learning and small class sizes that allow for close relationships with professors. Hearing about these distinctive opportunities, such as undergraduate research, solidified my decision to become part of Behrend.

Why he chose his major: Since I was a young child, I have dreamed of becoming a doctor. As I progressed through school, I was drawn to biology and the sciences. The more I learned, the more eager I became to understand the complexities of the human body, genetics, and medicine. My curiosity and passion for science fueled my desire to pursue a major that would challenge me intellectually while preparing me for a career in healthcare.

His proudest accomplishment at Behrend: My proudest accomplishment at Behrend has been successfully balancing academics, leadership, and research while making a meaningful impact on campus. From the start of my undergraduate career, I sought out opportunities to get involved, and I have thrived. Serving as president of Science Ambassadors, director of Welcome Week, and Bingo chair of Lion Ambassadors allowed me to develop my leadership and organizational skills while fostering a sense of community among students. Additionally, completing two ecological research projects pushed me to think critically, manage long-term commitments, and contribute to scientific inquiry.

On overcoming challenges: Starting college at the age of sixteen was a challenging but transformative experience for me. Being younger than my peers, I had to quickly adapt to the academic rigor and social dynamics of college life while learning to balance coursework, extracurricular involvement, and personal responsibilities. Managing my time effectively and staying disciplined were crucial in navigating this transition.

Campus involvement: Lion Ambassadors (Bingo chair and social chair), Science Ambassadors (member and president), THON (fundraising captain), Behrend First Gens, Tri-Beta, Biology Club, Leadership Scholars, Welcome Week (guide, leader, director), and Alternative Spring Break

What you might be surprised to know about him: I’m a huge sneakerhead and love collecting streetwear!

His top priority for the coming years: My highest priority is getting into medical school and developing the skills and knowledge to become a compassionate and competent doctor. I am committed to excelling academically, gaining hands-on experience in clinical and research settings, and continuously improving my ability to connect with and care for patients. Beyond just earning a degree, I want to cultivate the qualities that define a great physician—empathy, resilience, adaptability, and a lifelong dedication to learning.

Advice for first-year students: College is a learning experience, and mistakes are part of growth. Don’t be too hard on yourself—learn from them and move forward.

After graduation in May, Jason plans to attend medical school.