Student conducts summer research
For 10 weeks this past summer, molecular biology major Rachel Steckbeck ’19 studied at the Penn State College of Medicine through an undergraduate grant with the Ame
rican Physiological Society (APS).
At Penn State, Steckbeck researched the differences between the male and female lungs of asthmatic mice. Molecules called microRNA can worsen asthma in humans, so she correlated the trends with mice as a model system. At the end of the program, she and her team presented their findings.
“The presentation really brought it home as to how far I had come in those 10 weeks,” she said. “This experience helped me to grow in my communication skills as well as my team-working abilities, biochemical techniques and critical thinking skills.”
Scott Kieffer, professor of health and exercise physiology, health nutrition and exercise science, wrote Steckbeck a letter of recommendation for the grant.
“I read about the competitive APS undergraduate research grants in one of my publications and immediately thought of Rachel,” he said.
According to Kieffer, the grant recipients come from some of the top science programs in the U.S. to study in the best labs with the best research mentors. Through Steckbeck, Messiah was one of the few small colleges represented this year.
Steckbeck encourages other students to apply for the APS grants. “Not only was it paid, but I had many opportunities to network with professionals in my field,” she said. “After the experience, I’ve been able to focus more clearly on what I want to pursue after graduation.”
—Jake Miaczynski ’20