Name: Jacqueline Ehrlich
Major(s): Biochemistry
Graduation year: 2020
Current job title and company/organization: Ph.D. student, Cornell University
What moment or experience at Iowa State most shaped your career path?
I have wanted to be a research scientist for as long as I can remember. In my first weeks at Iowa State, I joined Dr. Olga Zabotina’s biochemistry research lab where she and Al Culbertson provided me with hands-on training and solidified my decision to pursue research. They taught me the fundamentals of biochemical research like how to execute experiments, how to interpret the results, and how to plan the next steps. Working so closely with two ambitious and enthusiastic mentors laid a foundation for my Ph.D. work at Cornell University and continuing a career in academia as a professor
How did your involvement in clubs, internships or research opportunities at Iowa State prepare you for your current role?
Undergraduates in the biochemistry, biophysics and molecular biology program participate in research across campus, and they host a yearly symposium, Stupka, to showcase it. The Stupka symposium has poster presentations, networking events and speakers from in- and outside of the university. I participated to the fullest, chairing several committees and eagerly presenting my research each year. I was able to hone my science communication and leadership skills with my best friends at an event that would directly apply to my future as a Ph.D. student researcher.
What’s one challenge you’ve faced in your education or career, and how did you overcome it?
As a Ph.D. student, I have been privileged to mentor several undergraduate students in the lab. Mentoring is a skill that constantly evolves based on the mentor and mentee’s experiences. Each time I mentor a new student, I am challenged with understanding their past experiences and applying it to our work moving forward. When I am unsure how to effectively train my mentees, I often find myself inspired by the excellent mentorship I received at Iowa State and adapt my strategy accordingly.
Fill in the blank and provide a brief explanation: “I wouldn’t be where I am today without ______.”
I wouldn’t be where I am today without the opportunities and camaraderie from the Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology (BBMB) program at Iowa State. BBMB offered me an unparalleled research environment where I could truly contribute to the scientific community, alongside lifelong friends and devoted mentors.
Fill in the blank: “The best piece of advice I received in college was _________, and here’s why it stuck with me: _________.”
“College is a group effort,” my friend told me as we were studying in the library early in my freshman year. He was helping me understand a calculus concept, but I thought of that several times while studying other topics with friends in later years. I think this applies to much more than just studying for college exams - so many concepts can be better understood when you have the perspective of a group, rather than trying to push through solo.