University of the Ozarks senior Kñeisha McDonald will begin pursuing a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences in the fall, the next step in a science journey that began when she was a small child growing up in The Bahamas
McDonald, a biology major from New Providence, The Bahamas, will graduate on May 13 with Summa Cum Laude honors (GPA of 3.85 or higher). In August, she will enroll into the Ph.D. program in biomedical sciences at West Virginia University with a focus on immunology and microbial pathogenesis.
McDonald remembers the moment when her passion for science and health was first ignited.
“At a young age, I can recall finding a textbook about medicine in my childhood home,” she said. “At first, I was drawn to the vibrant images used to illustrate various body systems but, after a while, I became enthralled by the descriptions and images of infectious diseases included in the book. So much so that I often found myself retelling the cases to my family and friends in all their gory details.”
Once McDonald arrived at Ozarks, her passion for science and research was enhanced, particularly by a couple of “Virus Hunter” classes during her sophomore and junior years
“These classes were my introduction to fieldwork and carrying out experiments that included microorganisms,” she said. “As a student in research-based courses like ‘Virus Hunters: Molecular Ecology’ and ‘Virus Hunters: Bioinformatics,’ I had the chance to study the environment and genomes of bacteriophages where my enthusiasm for research was first sparked. Often, I found myself working on coursework well beyond class time and even served as a research laboratory assistant for both classes.”
Her love for research only intensified during several research experiences she had while a student at Ozarks.
“In the summer of 2022, I was able to solidify my decision to become a scientist after being a summer undergraduate research fellow in the Arkansas INBRE program at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville,” she said. “The summer prior, I interned at a clinic in New Providence researching health literacy and knowledge in hypertensive patients and knew that my experiences in this program would be positive additions to the skills I had developed already. For 10 weeks, I worked on my project investigating the photo-thermal properties of gold nanocages for their potential use in photothermal therapy eight hours a day gaining valuable insight from my mentor, Dr. Jingyi Chen. When the fall semester began, I continued to be a part of a student research team, led by Dr. Frank Knight and Dr. Derek Warren, examining how armadillos can act as model organisms for studying human mineralization pathologies. These experiences during my time at Ozarks have helped me to realize how fulfilling it is to be able to work on a project and present your findings to others.”
Her professors also helped when it came time to search for and apply to graduate programs.
“When I began applying to graduate schools last semester, my professors proved to be empathetic and a great resource,” she said. “From helping me choose which programs would be a good fit for me, answering my seemingly perpetual questions about the application process, to writing excellent letters of recommendation, my professors were an incredible asset to have.”
McDonald was accepted into several graduate programs throughout the country but chose WVU, which is offering a fellowship that includes three scholarships that also cover relocation expenses and professional development/technology support. She will serve as a biomedical science recruitment liaison for the department.
“Receiving this fellowship made all the hard work at Ozarks worth it,” she said. “I see it as a reward that has manifested itself into a stepping stone for starting a career in research which is what I aspired to do over the course of my time at Ozarks.”
McDonald, whose long-term professional goals include being a research scientist and professor, said she takes pride in knowing she is one of just a few Black women in STEM-related fields.
“I am proud to know that I could enter a STEM field and be able to make substantial progress,” she said. “I am also proud to know that I might be a role model to future generations of young women who want to follow a path similar to the one I took.”
McDonald said it is hard to believe that her time at Ozarks is coming to a close.
“Ozarks has impacted me by providing an environment in which I could thrive,” she said. “I appreciate the opportunities I have received to be a student leader while mentoring younger students and participating in research. Moreover, I relish in the relationships I was able to build with the faculty and staff members here as they have shaped me into the global citizen I am today.”