Jordan Beckett
2009 & 2010 WV-INBRE Summer Intern
Currently a senior at West Virginia Wesleyan College

The WV-INBRE program has been an amazing opportunity for me the past two years. I have been able to actively engage in research that I am truly passionate about and have a vested interest in my lab's cause. My particular area of research, cardiovascular disease and depression, is a topic that I have become extremely interested in throughout my two year span in the lab of Dr. Jefferson Frisbee at West Virginia University. Through my experience, I have gained valuable information as to what I truly want to pursue as a career endeavor. With the support of WV-INBRE I have been able to travel to Experimental Biology Conference in Anaheim, California and the IDeA Symposium in Bethesda, Maryland and present my research to many others. With those conferences, I have had the chance to network with not only other undergraduate researchers but establish contacts with potential collaborators as well as faculty at possible institutions for graduate/medical school. I am 100% certain that engaging in research is something that I want to continue for the rest of my life in some form. I am grateful for all of the opportunities that the WV-INBRE program has afforded me.

Nissa Thomsen
2004 WV-INBRE Summer Intern
Currently an MD./PhD student at West Virginia University

Because my background was from a small undergraduate university in West Virginia, the summer research program gave me an opportunity to begin to understand the larger world of biomedical research. Without this experience, it would have been difficult for me to make a wise choice about graduate studies, and I would never have had the confidence or experience to successfully apply to an MD/PhD program. The INBRE program opened up a career path that I would have been very unlikely to have found otherwise!

Cara Henry
2005 WV-INBRE Summer Intern
Currently a PhD student at Case Western Reserve University

At the time I began my summer at Marshall University, I had not had any prior experience and did not realize how much I would actually be learning through the short nine week program. My experience with Dr. Delidow and her research completely changed my decisions about my future career path. Coming from a small liberal arts undergraduate college, I did not have much exposure to careers in research and was under the impression that becoming a medical doctor was my only career choice if I wanted to continue in the biomedical science field after my bachelors degree. However, my short time in Huntington convinced me to pursue further education in the research field rather than medical practice.

Kimberly Snodgrass
2005 WV-INBRE Summer Intern
Currently a Staff Research Associate, University of California San Diego Pediatrics Department

The WV-INBRE program offers undergraduate students a great opportunity to participate in every aspect of a laboratory environment. This program played an important role in getting my new job in a Biochemical Genetics Laboratory. When interviewed, I was told the decision would be made from 32 applicants. I was interviewed by panels 3 different times and was finally offered the position. After being hired, I was told that my internships and experience in the WV-INBRE was a determining factor in offering me the job. Thanks for the great opportunity WV-INBRE!!!!