Michelle Nyamushanya

Chemistry Major, Class of 2008

August 2007 - It has been a phenomenal summer working side by side with Dr. Patricia Dunlop in the Chemistry department. She was very patient while taking me through every step of the research. Our research focused on Metallothioneins, which are metal chaperones found in living organisms, particularly in the liver, that bind to heavy metals. This research gave me an understanding as to why companies want to hire a person who has had experience in the field: because learning by the book is different from learning by experience. During my years in college, I had been thinking of having a career in research, but never sure if I would like it. But now I am confident enough to say I would enjoy it. My experience with Dr. Dunlop was just awesome; I truly loved it. Through the research I have learned to be patient and know that there will be days when things will not work out they way they are supposed to, thus you just have to keep on trying; isn’t that just how life is at times!