NU Science Issue 8

8/2/2019 NU Science Issue 8

1/13

N(you)

ScienceA special issue eaturing the College o Scien

fall 20


2/13

Welcome new students!Im Murray Gibson, Dean o the College o Science,and Im delighted to participate in this magazine to welcome new stu-

dents and orient them to the College and University.

The magazine was put together by a cluster o our outstanding

students who volunteer to produce an NU Science magazine several

times a year, stued ull o great content that they generate in their

spare time. I love the energy and creativity that they bring.

This issue is an experiment in collaboration. We wanted a magazine

that would help introduce new students to the College and to the

opportunities or research, co-op, education and recreation that

are available. With a little support rom the College, Kristina Deak and

her team agreed to put together this issue. I think they did a antasticjob, and I hope that you nd it both useul and interesting.

What does an Academic Dean do? Well maybe a day in the lie will

explain it:

9:00 a.m. Meet with a new aculty candidate or biology who has

exciting research ideas in drug discovery

10:00 a.m. Consult with my Associate Dean on approaches to

improve the teaching o Mathematics to Engineers

11:00 a.m. Plan renovation project to provide new lab and

classroom space

Noon: Lunch with an alumnus who is a potential donor or

co-op research ellowships

1 p.m. Meet with other deans to determine university strategy

or online education

2 p.m. Meet with junior proessor to discuss career development

3 p.m. Listen to graduate student council raise issues

4 p.m. Discuss large-scale grant proposal or an energy

research center

5 p.m. Work on my personal research paper

6:30 p.m. Pizza with the biochemistry club

The University gives Deans considerable autonomy to manage the Col-leges. My boss is the Universitys Provost, Steve Director, who reports

to the President. I eel very lucky to have this job and work with the

aculty, students and sta to strengthen the College and University.

It is so energizing to work with young people we have a sensational

group o students. Our mission is to make your experience as ullling

as it can be, and allow you to fourish and develop through your experi-

ential education. My job is to gure out how to use resources to make

that as eective as possible. Feel ree to pass on your ideas.

Let me give you some advice rom my perspective. While I was a

reshman a long time ago in a galaxy ar, ar away, I still remember the

excitement o getting to determine my own uture, o living away rom

my parents and o the incredible number o choices on how I could

spend my time. My rst piece o advice is to make conscious choices.

By that I mean, dont agree to do too many things and then discover

that you dont have time to do any o them well instead choose and

commit, and o course your number one commitment must be to

study. But make sure to enjoy other opportunities too. I believe one

o the most important things you learn in college is sel-discipline and

ocus. Yes, we all make mistakes, and I certainly did, but try to learn

rom them.

Second piece o advice i you dont know, ask. Dont be shy. We

have incredible resources in the University at your disposal aculty,

advisers and sta. The saddest thing as a aculty member is to see no

one show up when you have oce hours.

Last piece o advice have un. This should be the best time o your

lie. Each phase o lie has riches to oer, but at no point are youlearning or developing as much. I you are not doing what you want to

do, change it!

I wish you all the best as you grapple with the choices and challenges

that we set beore you. And remember, the smart person asks or

help! All o us aculty and sta are always willing to talk with a

student thats why were here.

Dear Readers,

Welcome to NU! (Or welcome back!) ime or another academic year to

begin, flled with new ideas, new challenges, new people, and new successes.

Here at NUSci we have a ew goals in mind or the 20112012 semesters and

I hope you will help us to ulfll them.

o start, youll notice this issue is a departure rom our typical content.

We were ortunate to collaborate with Dean Gibson this past summer to

create a Special Issue on the College o Science and all o the opportunities

therein. Weve created a rough guide or students entering the CoS, to give

a brie outline o what to exp ect during your time at NU. Te main point

youll realize as you peruse these pages, however, is that everyone will ulti-

mately chart their own path through their fve years in Boston, and no two

students will ever have the same academic experience. Its an exhilarating

journey and I hope this magazine will help you generate ideas and inspira-

tion or embarking on your own.

Our next issue will be a return to the normal NU Science vibe. Tat is,

it will have a more PopSci eel, where we will be writing based on our per-

sonal interests on virtually any topic associated with science and research.

We will begin writing in early September, so i youre interested in getting

involved, shoot us an email and stop by our meetings. We also are working on

creating an ongoing lecture series, as well as sort o lab-side chats where

a topic is decided upon one week and we discuss it the ollowing; which could

be anything rom the uture o nanoparticles to how slugs reproduce.

Over the next year we would like to continue to expand and improve

as a publication and as a resource or students on campus. Not only will we

strive to keep you up-to-date on whats going on in the sciences on-campus,

in Boston, and around the world, but we also want to serve as a creative and

intellectual outlet or students. We will continue our quest or publishing

interesting, thought-provoking, and academically important articles and see

only an upward trajectory in both t he quality and depth o our journalistic

pursuits. But well also keep writing about sharks and vegans and the psy-

chology music and whatever else suits the ancy o our membership.

Tink oNUSci as a great place to get creative, get innovative, and get

a bit intellectual. We hope to become a resource or the NU community at

large and look orward to new collaborations and new courses or the evolu-

tion o our publication throughout the next year. Most importantly, we look

orward to working with you!

All the best,

Kristina Deak

Editor-in-Chie

Founder, NU Science Magazine

Get InvolvedAre you interested in writing about

your passions in science, interview

ing leaders in the eld, or designin

a publication that will be available

to the entire NU community? Do

you want to be part o a dynamic,

enriching group that serves as bot

a creative outlet and an intellectua

resource or our university?

Join NU Science Magazine!

We publish twice a semester and a

constantly looking or new writers,

photographers, graphic designers

bloggers, etc. You name it, we wo

be happy to highlight your talents!

Email us at nusciencemag@

gmail.com, ollow us on Facebook

join our OrgSync group, or stop by

one o our weekly meetings. You c

nd us on Mondays at 7:30 pm in

245 Ryder Hall.

L E T T E R F R O M T H E E D I T O R

Staff

President

Brad West, Chemical Engineeri

Editor-In-Chief

Kristina Deak, Biochemistry, 2

General Content Editor

Michael Murray, Computer Scie

English, 2014

Interviews and Reviews Editor

Elizabeth Gilbert, Health Scien

International Aairs, 2013

Secretary

Cat Ferguson, Behavioral

Neuroscience, 2013

Webmaster

Jessica Melanson, Journalism,

Faculty Advisor

Dr. Georey Davies

Graphic Design

Joseph Gilbert


3/13

5Years of N(you)!

Kristina Deak, Biochem

sophom

ore

middle

junior

senior

Sophomore YearWhen you return to campus

or the second round, you may

think its all old hat. But the truth

is, youre still just beginning.

Whether youve decided to switch

majors rom your rst year, or

youre continuing down the

same academic path, things are

assuredly going to get a bit more

dicult. Youll spend more time in

the library, but it also means youre

delving into your major and your

interests more thoroughly. Start

some positive habits, like reading

Nature or Scienceevery week.

Youll have the oundation to

understand most o the general

articles, and it will help you

eel more condent when talking

to proessors, advisors, and poten-

tial employers.

Middler YearAh, the curious middleryear.

(You WILL get sick o explaining

this to everyone you meet. Its

easier to just say third year.) This

is generally the year to dive into

your rst co-op. Youll get a small

dose o the real world, which ater

two years o classes, is usually

greatly anticipated. This is an

excellent time to gure out i your

career path is what you thought

it would be and to see i youre

on the right track academically.

It may be stressul to nd a

co-op and start work in a new

place, but the benets o working

are tremendous and your resume

will thank you.

Junior YearBy now, your riends who went

to our-year schools will be apply-

ing to grad school or med school

or seriously contemplating their

impending graduation. Although

you still have another year, this is

the time to start evaluating your

lie as well. Seriously weigh your

options and talk to colleagues and

proessors about their paths and

opinions. Its also the time or a

second or third co-op and your

schedule will probably open up

or some upper division elective

courses. The 5000 and beyond

classes are a challenge, so only take

the ones you are genuinely inter-

ested in or that will suit your career

goals. Youll spend a lot o time

studying and working or these

courses, so choose careully.

Senior YearFinally. Youve made it. You prob-

ably eel pretty good at this point.

Your resume is padded, youve

already had 1218 months o work

experience, and you can ocially

call yoursel a resident o Boston.

Academically, there are still some

challenges ahead, but the courses

are rewarding and the end o the

tunnel is near. Enjoy the last ew

months o college and the obstacles

they bring; the real world is out

there lurking. Luckily, youre at

NU, so youll be ready to ace it.

N(you)This is an outline o the bas

experience you can expect a

Northeastern. But in reality,

up to YOU. Youve been acc

a very unique school, where

student charts their very in

path through an engaging a

rewarding ve-year experie

No one takes the same clas

participates in the same co-even has the same co-op sc

You could wind up in Arica

down the street in one o th

pharmaceutical companies

the nation. You could be wo

in a hospital and getting rea

med school, or giving prese

tions on penguins at the aq

and pursuing a music indu

minor to add to your biolo

degree. Your experience he

be what you make o it, and

possibilities and outcomes

virtually endless. In this issu

nd some helpul advice on

to navigate the College o Sc

as well as numerous interv

rom students, aculty, and

about their paths at Northe

Read them and explore them

realize that your journey ca

completely dierent. Take t

ve years to become exactly

you want to be. Explore, lea

and grow; youll have the en

Husky community to suppo

Welcome to N(you).freshman

Freshman YearWelcome to college. Your rst year

in Boston will be one to remember.

The roommates, the rst time you

get lost downtown, navigating

the T, and getting through those

intro courses; itll all add up to an

incredible and noteworthy experi-

ence. Its a time to nd yoursel and

to become the person you want

to be, not necessarily the person

you were in high school or in your

home town. Try out new things,

join new clubs, and be open to

every new challenge. Few times in

your lie will you be somewhere so

vibrant and so novel. Embrace it!

2 NU Science NU Sc


4/13

Surviving and Prospering During Freshman and Sophomore Yea2013). He warned that in the Psychology Depart-

ment, or example, classes are popular with

students rom all majors, so do not hesitate to

register or classes that you need.

Missing registration or a class could

set you back a semester or two, especially i it

is a prerequisite or another requirement. In my

case, I wish I had taken Genetics & Molecular

Biology sooner, as it is a prerequisite or many

intermediate and advanced biology courses.

College is an expensive venture, so

taking an unnecessary course can also be

costly. To this eect, certain classes can ll

multiple requirements i you play your cards

right. Checking your degree audit on myNEU

is always a wise thing to do beore choosing

classes or the upcoming semester, as it will

correct any misconceptions and provide a solu-

tion to almost all di lemmas.

Despite their convenience, online

resources cannot be your only sources o

guidance when it comes to picking courses

and solving other academic problems. The key

to success in college (and beyond) is making

connections. Connections do not have to be

people in high places. My most useul associ-

ates are my riends and classmates who are

just as motivated as I am. For example, two

strangers named Dan and Tyler were in line

with me at orientation two years a go because

we all had the same scheduling confict. We

soon realized that we shared many o the same

classes (Dan and I actually shared every class,

including labs), so we made it a point to study

The quest or a college degree can be a longand grueling journey. I currently nd mysel at

the halway point on the quest to graduate,

being invited to give advice on how to survive

your rst ew semesters at Northeastern. In

hindsight, though, survival was never my goal.

I doing just enough to get by is the main ocus

o your college experience, then you are not

going to learn anything and your degree will be

useless. Although I am not perect as a student,

I intend on earning a useul degree. To help you

get one o these too, I have refected on my

reshman and sophomore years with clarity and

insight. In retrospect, my initial goal was not

to survive but rather to learn who I was as a

student. Then I had to decide who I want to be

when I leave Northeastern. Finally, I needed to

learn what I would have to do to make mysel

into that person, and I needed to start doing it.

Luckily or me, I quickly gured out what

kind o student I am (a mild procrastinator who

hates doing math problems, but loves in-class

discussions and making gigantic study guides).

In addition, I have a good idea o what I want to

do when I graduate (something along the lines o

veterinary medicine or zoology). Unortunately

or you, though, I cannot tell you who you are as

a student and I denitely cannot tell you what

you want to do. I can, however, give you some

guidance on how to get there, once you have

gured the other stu out or yoursel.

The rst step toward undergraduate

success is making perect course schedules.

I understand that being a science student

at Northeastern means that you are one o a

variety o majors, but every student in every

major will have a problem with picking courses

at some point. Since my summer orientation

beore reshman year, my ability to sign up

or a class schedule that works or me has

improved considerably. My rst lesson was

there are very ew courses that are easy As,

and those courses that are, probably are not

worth taking. I do not recommend rushing into

advanced courses, either. Instead, I recom-

mend a balanced approach to reshman and

sophomore year. The key to doing well later

on will be the strong oundation you build in

your early semesters. These semesters are an

excellent time to take introductory courses in

areas outside o your major. Despite being a

biology student, I took Peoples and Cultures,

Foundations o Psychology, and Introduction to

Shakespeare, lling three requirements along

the way. I learned a lot o things that ended

up being useul in my other courses and was

infuenced to declare a minor. In summary,

take classes in elds that i nterest you! Do not

be deterred rom taking an interesting course

because the lecture is on Friday morning or

because you could take an easier (but less

useul) course instead.

Another important aspect o course selec-

tion is knowing what you need to take to gradu-

ate as planned. Students need to make sure

that they are clear on what they need to take

rom day one. Our breakdown can be conusing

at times, counseled Eren Sandi (Psychology

together. Scores o valuable study sessions

have ollowed. Whether you happen to stumble

upon great riends at orientation or not, simple

actions like talking to people beore class and

asking to share notes can lead to a benecial

network o riends and acquaintances.

O course, your classmates are still just

as inexperienced as you are. This act o lie

is aculty connections are another key to suc-

cess. Every proessor has oce hours, and

you should not be araid to stay ater class,

either. Proessors are not just vending machines

that spit out grades; each one is a philoso-

pher, a researcher, and a proessional. Their

knowledge, experience, and networks can be

the tools that you use to get ahead (and get

knowledge, experience, and networks o your

own). I make a point to talk to my proessors

and advisors whenever I get the chance.

Faculty members are more likely to assist

a student that they know and can count on,

regardless o their specialty. In addition to the

proessors that teach my classes, I have got-

ten to know Dr. Rebeca Rosengaus by working

in her sociobiology research laboratory, the

administrative sta in the Biology Department

by volunteering to help with events and several

advisors just by going to them in desperate

need o guidance. It can be dicult to keep

all o your advisors straight, as Northeastern

assigns several to each incoming reshman.

Whether they are your academic, experiential

education, student activities or aculty advisor,

I cannot stress enough the importance o get-

ting them to know and like you. Many students

such as Jill Newman (Biology, 2013) know the

importance o connecting with advisors but

caution that it is not always easy. I you need

to meet with your academic or co-op advisor,

Jill warned make appointments as early as

possible because they can get very busy.

Another way to become well-known

besides dropping in on aculty is to participate

in student activities. Undergraduate student

Michael Tackenberg (Behavioral Neuroscience,

2012) suggested that reshman and sophomore

students take advantage o the communities

already in place or your major, including aculty

and student organizations.

In his case, the organizations include the

NEU Researchers o Neuroscience and the

College o Science Student Activities Associa-

tion, both o which he is a prominent member

o. Clubs exist or almost every major in t he

College o Science and can even help you meet

students in other majors through collabora-

tion. Through my experiences, I have learned

that the executive boards o most student

clubs are easy to become a part o and are

always looking or more input rom interested

students. I ound my way into ocer positions

in the Biology Club and Pre-Veterinary Club just

by expressing an interest, and I participate in

several other student organizations too. The

web o clubs and associations can help you

to build a strong oundation early on in your

college experience and is a tool that should not

go unused.

Finally, the best thing that you can

ensure that you nish your reshman ye

are ready to be an upperclassman stud

(or co-op employee), is to study hard. It

seem obvious, but many students do no

enough or do not gure out how to mak

most o their studying. Every major has

classes that make most students cring

their course titles are uttered, and thes

to be studied or ardently. Classes like

chemistry, or example, require student

the best students that they can be, so I

advise against skipping lectures or tha

unless it is absolutely necessary. You s

take advantage o every review session

practice problems, and recitation, even

next exam is weeks away. Above all els

not be araid to give up a weekend o p

ing in exchange or a weekend o sleep

studying. The weekend beore an exam

hardest class is not the ti me to go on a

trip, play the new Call o Duty, or take p

a pub crawl across the city. Learning sc

theory and process is dicult enough w

distractions, so cut them out whenever

academic lie is at risk.

Still, reshman and sophomore yea

should be enjoyable and should be a le

period during which you discover who y

and who you are not.

Anthony Denice, Biology, 2014

4 NU Science NU Sc


5/13

For many, the academic year

begins with the imposing specter

o General Biology, with over 100

students together in the classroom.

Many students nd college

courses to be strikingly dierent

rom their high school studies,

and when it comes to the sciences,

there is no reason to proceed

without a ully inormed expectation

o the course. In order to gain a

better understanding o the General Biology 1 and General Biology 2

courses, I interviewed a proessor in a science discipline who requently

oversees reshman and introductory courses. D r. Potts-Santone, an

Associate Academic Specialist in the Northeastern Biology Department,

generously gave some o her time to answer a ew questions pertaining

to these courses.

NU Sci:What course(s) do you teach?

Dr. PottS-SaNtoNe:In the all, there are t wo large sections o more

than 150 students each in General Biology 1, accompanied by labora-

tory (BIOL1111 and 1112). In the spring, there is one large section o

over 200 students or General Biology 2 and accompanying laboratory

(BIO L1113 and 1114). I also teach Invertebrate Zoology and laboratory.

NU Sci:What skills are students expected to have going into your course?

Dr. PottS-SaNtoNe:Walking into the class with an open mind allows

or the best learning ater b eing exposed to the material in high school.

I students assume they already know or have a strong grasp o the

inormation presented, they can ace an intererence with the learning

process o both new and old inormation. With such l arge class sizes, it

is dicult to accommodate all the dierent learning styles the students

have, so knowing your own learning style, whether it b e acoustic, visual,

experimental, etc, is an important criteria or doing well in the course.

When in the classroom, students should be able to take notes whilestill paying attention to the lecturer; good notes help process the inorma-

tion and keep you rom passively listening without engaging your brain.

Even when outside o the classroom, the minimum time put into studying

out o class should be two hours or every one hour o lecture. Studying

on a regular schedule spread over a period o time instead o cramming

the night beore is the key to success in this class [ I'd agree with that

for any science course! ND]. Be proactive in seeking additional help as

soon as you eel like you're beginning to al l behind or having diculty.

Dos and Dontsfor Working with YourAcademic Advisor

DoAsk or their advice on courses

you might take, lie directions,

co-op input.

DontExpect them to map everything out

or you or to have all the answers.

DoSchedule an appointment with them

well in advance.

Dont

Walk into their ofce and expectto meet. All o the advisors have

a lot o students and meetings need

to be booked in advance.

DoMake sure youre taking the right

courses, especially or the frst ew

semesters.

Dont

Wait until the week o course reg-

istration to contact your advisor.

Theyre swamped during registra-

tion week so your best bet is to think

about it a ew weeks earlier and

shoot them an email or schedule

an appointment.

DoIntroduce yoursel and make sure

they are amiliar with your goals. NU

is a big school and its easy to get lost

in the mix i youre not proactive.

DontExpect them to remember every

detail about you. Its not that theydont want to, but there are a lot o

students to keep track o. Theyre

there to help though, so be sure to

take advantage o their knowledge!

An Introduction to General Biologywith Dr. MarySusan Potts-Santone

6 NU Science NU Sc

Dr. Potts-Santone

NU Sci :What doesn't the short summary in the course catalog capture

about this course?

Dr. PottS-SaNtoNe: An important aspect o this course is that it

is a lecture/lab course enrolled by an almost uniquely large student body.

Students rom many dierent majors, including Pharmacy, Health Science,

and Premeds, have this as a requirement, and many more take General

Biology to ulll a core science requirement.

NU Sci :How is the book utilized by the course? Is it the primary instruc-

tional material, or more o an additional learning resource?

Dr. PottS-SaNtoNe: The primary instructional material is indeed

the textbook, and it is essential or properly learning in General Biology 1

and 2. It is important to be exposed to the topics in lecture beore class,

and review them ater lecture.

NU Sci : Are the topics cumulative/sequential? Or is it more o a survey

course? Is there a particular section more arduous or vexing than t he

others to watch out or?

Dr. PottS-SaNtoNe: General Biology 1 and 2 both examine a wide

variety o dierent sub-disciplines within biology and are meant to be

survey courses across the entire discipline. General Biology 1 ocuses

on no particular domain o lie, whereas General Biology 2 contains an

emphasis on animals.

For General Biology 1, the biggest hurdle or many students seems

to be the section on energy acquisition/usage, such as photosynthe-

sis and metabolism. These biochemical pathways take both a basic

understanding o chemistry and the ability to remember large loops. For

General Biology 2, the emphasis on scientic terminology and details

can present a challenge to some students.

NU Sci :When you took this course in your undergraduate career, what

surprised you? What did you nd the most exciting?

Dr. PottS-SaNtoNe: For me the most exciting parts o Biology,

then and now, are about exploring all sorts o adaptations, on multiple

levels, that suit a living organism or its particular way o lie and tryingto understand the interconnectedness between living organisms and the

environment. I want students to eel both connected to, and protective

o, the astounding beauty and diversity o lie surrounding them.

NU Sci :What comes next ater this course i one decides to

continue pursuing the discipline o Biology?

Dr. PottS-SaNtoNe: Genetics and Molecular Biology would be the

next expected course ater General Biology 1 and 2 or students major-

ing in Biology or planning a Pre-med track. Those on the Pharmacy

or Health Science track typically take t he Human Anatomy and Physiol-

ogy course next.

Nicholas A. DeLateur, Chemistry, 2013

Q&A with Erin Askounis:The Freshman Year Exper

When Erin, 19, got the urge to move acrossthe country rom her native Caliornia to theEast Coast, the bustling urban campus oNortheastern University caught her eye. Nowtreasurer o the Biochemistry Club and aninvolved student,she refect s upon her rst yearso ar away rom home.

NU Sci:So, I understand you are a sophomorein the College o Science this coming semester.What is your eld o study?

aSk oUN iS: I am currently a biochemistrymajor and loving it!

NU Sci:What is it about that subject thatinspired you to pursue it urther?

aSk oUN iS: I have always had a passion or

science and I had a hard time choosing betweenbiology and chemistry as majors, so I decidedthat biochemistry was a good medium thatwould allow me to dabble in both subjects. Itsa very versatile degree; thats denitely a plusbecause I am still guring out which careerpath would be best or me. You get a very well-rounded education in the sciences.

NU Sci:What was your experience withintroductory classes in your reshman year?

aSk oUN iS: For the most part, the introduc-tory courses reshman year were exactly as Iexpected: challenging, but doable. Transition-ing rom taking high school classes to collegeclasses was a bit dicult in the beginning,but once I understood what I had to do tosucceed in a class, it was smooth sailing.

NU Sci:Do you have any tips or establishingrelationships with proessors in large classes?

aSk oUN iS: Denitely go to oce hours. I typi-cally would have class or lab during a proes-sors oce hours, but I would talk to them aterclass or email them. I it was super important,then I would schedule an appointment and askmy questions then. Never underestimate thebenets o one-on-one time with aculty.

NU Sci:Which class was your avorite thissemester and why?

aSk oUN iS: I would have to say either Intro-duction to biochemistry or chemistry. My introclass was really exciting because we got to learnabout what we would be doing in the utureand what kind o co-ops we could get. I enjoyedchemistry because it has always been a avoritesubject o mine and my proessor made it evenmore interesting. He has amazing energy andreally made an eort to involve the class, not tomention how available he was to the studentsoutside o lecture!

NU Sci:What do you do outside o throom to expand on what youve learne

aSk oUN iS: Second semester, I ound working in a lab on campus and I havso much more than I had expected. Yoso much more hands-on experience thtypically do in class.

NU Sci:How did you originally get inlab research?

aSk oUN iS: I looked on the Northeastresearch website to see what kind o rewas being done on campus and when lab that interested me, I emailed the pand asked i there were any openings!is to dive right in and start contactingIts never too early.

NU Sci:What do you enjoy most aboyour research?

aSk oUN iS: During laboratory time inlearn a wide variety o techniques anddures tailored to give us an overview odone in our general subject area. Whepating in research, however; I nd thatto delve more into a specic area o inlearn extensively about that area. You bmore specialized and gain a much greset. Plus, it can be very rewarding to wwith other students on a project and

you have accomplished something.

NU Sci:What do you plan on doingpost-graduation?

aSk oUN iS: As o now, Im either goinsome time o to join the Peace Corpsapply to medical school, or just apply school right out o the gate.

NU Sci:What would be your ideal car

aSk oUN iS: My ideal career would be a pediatrician or a virologist. Im still uand I hope that once I do a ew co-opable to decide. Im really looking orwchance to try out these careers and tesI respond to the dierent work enviro

NU Sci:On a lighter note, whats yourthing about living in Boston?

aSk oUN iS: Theres always something

here! You never get bored, between sh

on Newbury Street or going to a game

with a ew riends. Plus, I love how the

so many colleges and universities in th

Boston is such a young city and its un

tons o people my own age around.

Jennier Endress


6/13

NU Science had the opportunity to sit down with third year student Rebecca Miller, who has

recently completed her rst co-op with the VA New Jersey Health Ca re System. As a Behavioral

Neuroscience and Philosophy Double Major, Miller brought a wide spectrum o knowledge to her

position as a Research Assistant with the Veterans Biomedical Research Institute.

NU Sci: Tell us a little about where you worked

on co-op.

Miller: I completed my rst co-op as a

Research Assistant sponsored by the Veterans

Biomedical Research Institute or the VA New

Jersey Health Care System. This is to say that

I worked or the Department o Veterans Aairsin East Orange, NJ at their War Related Illness

and Injury Study Center.

NU Sci: What rst interested you in selecting

this co-op?

Miller: Research is one o those things

that most science and pre-med students are

trying to get under their belt. When it came

time to look or a co-op, the idea o pursuing

the research eld was on my mind. During

my search, I came across an opportunity to

research with the Department o Veteran

Aairs and was immediately intrigued. This

position interested me so much because not

only was it a paid research position (which

isnt terribly common) but I also considered

it a way to give thanks and show my apprecia-

tion to our nations brave troops.

NU Sci: What types o responsibilities did you

have in your position?

Miller: Unortunately, when I began working

with my Principal Investigator (PI), he was not

as ar along in the process as he had hoped

to be by the time o my arrival. In the beginning,

I did a lot o paperwork to help our PI nishgrant applications, subject consent orms,

protocols and IRB packets. The truth is, in public

research, the paperwork never ends. Eventu-

ally, we moved past the bulk o the orms

and were able to get more hands-on. I was in

charge o purchasing and settings up a lot o

physiological research equipment as well as

making sure that all three o our lab rooms

were getting ready or subjects. In addition to

working in the actual lab, I also had the oppor-

tunity to present a paper at one o the centers

biweekly Journal Club meetings.

NU Sci: How has this co-op aected your

uture academic and career plans?

Miller: I think it is true when they say you

can always take something away rom even

the worst o experiences. And let me be clear

here, this co-op was NOT something I would

consider a worst experience. However, I did

learn that I did not like the eld o study I was

working in. The center itsel was great and I

met with some absolutely antastic, brilliant

people, but I learned that research just isnt the

career or me. I love the idea o l earning and

I nd new results exciting, but I do not think

I have the patience needed or all o the red

tape and paperwork. Either way, I let WRIISC

with new knowledge and a new appreciation

or the research process and all o the eort

that goes into it.

NU Sci: What was your avorite aspect o

your co-op?

Miller: This is easy. Hands down, my

avorite part o co-op was being able to join

my lab (Integrative Human Physiology Labora-

tory, or IHPL) team on a weeklong business

trip to the Houston, Texas National Aeronautics

and Space Administration (NASA) campus.

At NASA, we saw several subjects and we were

able to collect some data. I was able to be atest subject or the O-Axis Vertical Rotator

(OVAR) chair, see a ew areas o the campus,

and to learn even more about the area o

physiological research.

Rebecca MillerBEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE andPHILOSOPHY DOUBLE MAJORNU Sci: What did you nd most challenging

about your co-op?

Miller: My PI/supervisor wasnt around very

oten. He was constantly traveling around the

country and also internationally. Sometimes,

we went weeks without seeing him. Having

a boss who is always in and out can make

certain things dicult to achieve since he isnt

there to give his opinion or the go-ahead. It was

also dicult to stay driven at times since the

IHPL wasnt yet at the stage where we could

see subjects at our NJ campus. But I was

able to use the down time to speak with other

PIs at the center and learn more about other

areas/research being conducted right next

door or down the hall.

NU Sci: Where do you hope to co-op in

the uture?

Miller: I would like to gain some more

clinical experience with cohorts that I do not

have much exposure to. One o my greatest

co-op interests in the Boston area is with

the psychiatric department at Arbour Hospital.

I am also looking into int ernational co-ops.

NU Sci: What advice would you give

students interested in completing a co-op

similar to yours?

Miller: I think one o my biggest aults was

not taking on more responsibility. Instead o

only editing and reviewing someones paper

drat, ask one o the researchers i they need

any help with the writing. Volunteer, volun-

teer, volunteer! They might not know you are

interested in helping with a certain project

unless you (politely) oer your assistance. At

the same time, know that a lot o PIs are very

particular, so dont be oended i they are

not receptive to your rst oer. Also, learning

computer programs or data analysis would

have been an enormous help, so i you have

the means to learn these programs, go or it!

Elizabeth Gilbert, International Aairs and

Health Science, 2013

Northeastern University is home to over 300 studentorganizations covering a vast array o interests rom ballroom

dancing to Greek Lie. For an incoming student, nding the right

club can seem like a daunting task. Even new applications like

OrgSync and old-ashioned events like activities airs, though inor-

mative, may be overwhelming. Here we try to highlight some othe 40 science clubs on campus so that new and seasoned students

alike can nd the right place to grow and fourish as a scientist.

Some majors have their own clubs, like the Biology, Biochem-

istry and Linguistics Clubs. The main mission o these groups

is to introduce you to others in your major while doing un activi-

ties, to expose you to lectures and events related to your eld, and

to help you prepare or graduate school. Though these clubs are

titled ater the majors they represent, they are in no way limited to

just biology or biochemistry students. Anyone who has an interest

in these elds is welcome to join. One thing to remember when

looking at clubs on campus is to not rule one out just because you

arent taking classes in the eld. Since Pre-med and Pre-dental are

not majors oered at NU, their respective clubs, the Northeast-

ern University American Medical Student Association and NEU

Pre-Dental Association, are a great way to meet others on the same

track and to prepare you or applying to medical or dental school.

For example, the NEU Pre-Dental Association exposes members to

the dental industry through relevant conerences and presentations

by successul doctors to oer advice and guidance.

Not all science clubs are academic; many are routed in

community service.Engineers without Borders ocuses on bringing

clean water to villages in Honduras and Uganda, while the NU

Science Club or Girls promotes an interest in science with girlsin grades k12 through ater school programs and mentorship.

GlobeMed partners with grassroots organizations to ght global

health inequality, improving the healthcare o impoverished people

around the world. The American Red Cross and American Cancer

Society are national nonprots represented on campus through

the NU American Red Cross and Colleges against Cancer Club

(CAC) which serve to urther their respective nonprots goals.

CAC hosts one o the largest undraising events on campus, Relay

or Lie, which brings students together or an overnight lock-in at

Matthews Arena with games, ood and ceremonies celebrating and

remembering victims o cancer. These clubs may contain a

variety o majors, but science does make an appearance. Sar

Jensen, vice president o CAC incorporates science via educ

presentations, stating, During education discussions, the sc

behind the topic cancer is explained. I a drug or treatment

presented, this science is expla ined as well.These clubs, tho

not directly utilizing scientic principles, oster those wishing

use their scientic degree or the greater good.

Though meeting content and requency varies rom gr

to group, a typical meeting ollows the ormat president Ch

Dunne describes or the Northeastern University Student A

o the American Chemical Society (NUSAACS). An hour-l

weekly meeting starts with relevant announcements ollowe

activity. NUSAACS meetings usually consist o a speaker tal

about what they do within a chemical eld, such as green ch

try, cosmetic chemistry or ood chemistry. Other nights the

be a student-run workshop to improve resumes or writing s

Many groups also have social nights like a potluck or mviewing to help build relationships and oer a relie rom th

o classes or co-op. Service centered clubs like CAC and Glob

center meetings around undraising or their respective cha

and educating the community about their cause.

Oten the most important activities or any student gro

are events and eld trips. In the past year NUSAACs visited

Samuel Adams Brewery, MIT Nuclear Reactor Lab, and to th

Amgen Laboratories in Rhode Island.

College Against Cancer visits the nearby Hope Lodge t

socialize and sometimes cook or the cancer patients stayin

during treatment. The Biochemistry club holds three major e

throughout the year to help students navigate through the Co

o Science and beyond Freshman Ino Panel, Undergraduat

Research Night,and Graduate Ino Night. Megan Troy,the pre

elect describes the Freshman ino panel as an invitation to ou

rst-year members to ask questions o the upper-classmen

anything they may have encountered so ar, such as certain

how to start working in research, or when to go on co-ops.

I you are interested in any o these student groups or w

to discover the ones we could not t in here, visit Orgsync v

myNEU. Log-in to your myNEU account, go to the commun

and click on the involveNU link.

O course, I cannot nish without mentioningNU Sciemagazine, the rst publication o its kind on campus. I you

what youre reading and have an interest in writing, science,

graphic design, pop by one o our meetings, held every Mon

7:30 pm in 245 Ryder Hall.

Tara Dhingra, Biochemistry2012

A special thanks to Megan Troy, Sarah Jensen, Christine D

and GlobeMed for their contributions to this article.

Clubs onCampus

C O - O P I N T E R V I E W

8 NU Science NU Sc


7/13

The Biochemsitry Club

PreSiDeNt: Megan Troy

The Biochemistry Club is all about shar-

ing our passion or science with anyone

who is interested in sharing and hearing

new ideas. Our interest is mostly research-

based. Throughout the year we schedule

many events or our club members, with

our most popular events being Fresh-

man Ino Panel, Undergraduate Research

Night, and Graduate Ino Night.

Freshman Info Panel: First-year mem-

bers ask questions o the upper-classmen

about anything they may have encoun-

tered so ar, such as certain classes, how to

start working in research, or when to go

on co-ops.

Undergraduate Research Night: Faculty

and current students present on research

being done on campus and give studentstips on how to begin a career in research

or get unding or a lab.

Graduate Info Night: Presenters speak

about their experience post-undergrad

and which paths are available, such as

Masters, PhD, medical school, or going

directly into the workorce.

We are open to students o any major

who are interested in learning more about

Biochemistry!

PreSiDeNt: Christine Dunne

NU Sci:What is the purpose o your club?

DUNNe: The purpose o the Northeastern

University Student Aliates o the Ameri-

can Chemical Society (NUSAACS) is to

advance the knowledge o chemistry within

the Northeastern student body as well as

the Boston area as a whole. Since2011 is the

International Year o Chemistry, a lot o ocus

will be on the chemistry in the world around

each and every one o us. NUSAACS also

wants to increase the understanding o how

a background in chemistry can be extremely

helpul within the real world.

NU Sci:What is a typical meeting like?

DUNNe: A typical meeting would be one

hour long on a weeknight (normally Thurs-

day) and the meeting would occur once aweek. At the start o t he meeting, all impor-

tant announcements about upcoming events

will be presented and then the activity o the

meeting will begin. Otentimes the meeting

will consist o a speaker coming in to tal k

about what they do within the chemical eld.

On weeks that there are no speakers, students

may design workshops to help with resume

building or abstract writing skills, or a ew

examples. Finally, there are meetings where

the students will organize a potluck or just

play science Scattegories to get to know each

other better and have a un meeting.

NU Sci: Do you take trips throughout the year?

DUNNe: There are a ew trips that can be

taken throughout the year, all optional, o

course. Many times these trips involve going

on site to a laboratory and seeing what really

happens out in the real world. Last year we

took trips to the Samuel Adams Brewery,

MIT Nuclear Reactor Lab, and to the Amgen

Laboratories in Rhode Island.

NU Sci: Does your club require semester/

yearly dues or ees?

DUNNe: There are no semester or yearly ees

due to the NUSAACS club. We do encourage

all students interested in chemistry to con-

sider joining the national American Chemical

Society which does have a yearly ee; however,

to be a student member within our club, that

is not required.

NU Sci:How do you incorporate science

into your club? (Do you discuss current

research, visit labs on campus or have

proessors present their research in meet-

ings, etc.?)

DUNNe: NUSAACS works hard to incor-

porate science in any aspect possible. In the

beginning o the meeting, any important

news within the chemistry world will be

announced and shared with the group.

Many times proessors will volunteer to

come speak with the students about their

personal research and share how the stu-

dents can join a lab to start their very own

research. NUSAACS has outside speakers

rom various aspects o the chemistry

world come speak about their work and

history. Northeastern alumni come and

discuss how their degree helped them toaccomplish what they set out to in college.

There are lab visits within the Boston

and greater Boston area that the students

can partake in. Every year or National

Chemistry Week the students will perorm

demos out in the Krentzman quad or any

student to join in on. There are many more

ways in which NUSAACS incorporates

science into the weekly meetings come

join us to nd out more!

NU Sci:What is a typical meeting lik

jeNSeN: We will discuss a certain ca

in terms o education or advocacy, a

usually will end doing a task that w i

Relay or Lie. New this year, we will breaking up into smaller committee

will play a large role in planning Rel

Were always looking or help in bot

leges Against Cancer and Relay or L

GlobeMed

NU Sci: What is the purpose o your club?

GlobeMed is a student led non-prot or-

ganization on campus which partners with

grassroots organizations around the world

to improve the health o the impoverished.

We are students with an interest in lead-

ing the ght in global health inequity and

social justice. We are part o a vast network

called GlobeMed, which has 33 chapters

nationwide. On campus we und eective

projects to help our partner achieve their

mission, organize on-campus events to

educate students and host health cam-

paigns. We are currently partnering with

Kitovu Mobile, a mobile AIDS clinic in

Uganda where weve implemented a Sanita-

tion and Hygiene project. We have nished

unding the rst phase o our $5,000

Hygiene and Sanitation Project.

NU Sci: What is a typical meeting like?

A typically meeting consists o breaking

into groups to discuss our undraising

projects and having a global health educa-

tion session. The globalhealthUportion

o our meetings is where we educate our

members on issues that vary each month

such as inectious disease. We also col-

Colleges Against Cancer

vic e P reS iDe Nt: Sarah Jensen

NU Sci:What is the purpose o your club?

jeNSeN: To educate the Northeastern com-

munity about cancer risks, prevention and

other vital inormation. We undraise orthe American Cancer society and advocate

or cancer related policies.

Northeastern University Student Aliates o the American Chemical Society (NUSAACS)

laborate with other groups to host p

o proessionals on campus to discu

career paths and research.

Most importantly is we accept a

welcome people rom ANY major. W

always looking or people rom outs

the medical majors. Many o our lead

are not pre-med. We have theater m

psychology majors, and more. Every

can participate in the ght against g

health inequity!

NU Science Club or GirlsNU Sci: What is the purpose o your club?

We are a service organization dedicated toencouraging young girls to explore theirinterest in the traditionally male-dominatedelds o science, math, and engineering.The members o our club are mentorswho run weekly science clubs or girls inpreschool to 6th grade and volunteers whodedicate their time to various Science Clubor Girls (SCG) events. The NortheasternChapter o SCG holds programming onSaturday mornings at Northeastern.O-campus sites and weekday times areavailable through the SCG central oce.

NU Sci: What is a typical meeting like?

A typical science club has a preset lessonplan with the supplies provided.The mentorsguide the girls through the experiments,prompting them to make observations and

asking them questions that will help thegirls learn about the topic. Mentors typicallymeet ater clubs to discuss how clubs wentand prepare or next week.

NU Sci: Do you take trips throughout the year?

Although we have not yet taken any trips, weare open to suggestions.

NU Sci: Does your club require semesterly/yearly dues or ees?There are no ees or our club. We do askor the time commitment to come to scienceclubs regularly.

NU Sci: How do you incorporate science intoyour club? (Do you discuss current research,visit labs on campus or have proessorspresent their research in meetings, etc.)

The lessons plans or the science clubs areall science experiments, and the conceptswe teach the girls draw on what we learnin classes at Northeastern. We have not yethad the opportunity to have any speakerscome talk to the mentors, but we are look-ing orward to i nviting speakers this year.

NU Sci: Anything else you want incomingreshman to know about your club?

Its very rewarding being a mentor and see-ing the girls get excited about science. Plus,you get to do cool science experiments withthe girls! Last semester, one o the groupsmade ice cream, another group dissecteda sh, and we made tie-dye t-shirts withthe girls as an end-o-the-year project.NU SCG is a lot o un and a really greatexperience. I you are interested in joiningor learning more, email [email protected].

NUSAACS goes pumpkin picking!

Relay or Lie

2011

GlobeMed posing in

Curry Student Center

10 NU Science NU Sc


8/13

Matthew Cottlebehavioral neuroscience majo

Fourth year Behavioral Neuroscience major M

Cottle is currently working on co-op at the Arb

Hospital in Jamaica Plain. NU Science was able

interview Cottle about his position on co-op a

learn more about how the experience has impa

his uture.

NU Sci: Where did you work or your co-op?

cottle : This is actually my rst co-op. I work

Arbour Hospital in Jamaica Plain. It is a psych

hospital or adolescents and adults that oers

both inpatient and outpatient help to individuwho suer rom psychological disabilities and/

substance abuse.

NU Sci: What caused you to pursue this co-op

cottle : I am hoping to get experience in both

biological and psychological sides o my eld

working in dierent co-ops throughout my un

studies. This opportunity seemed unique beca

it allows students to work closely with patients

be part o a team to assist in their treatment. T

job allows co-op students to not only see all o

psych disorders that we study, but also to obser

progress patients can make with the treatment

eective or the disorder and individual.

NU Sci: During your co-op, what were your da

day duties/experiences?

cottle : Each day, I am assigned the responsib

o ensuring the saety and compliance o a team

patients. Patients vital signs need to be measur

regularly, and depending on the severity o psy

a patient may need more assistance or encoura

in keeping up with the normal everyday activit

or I may take or granted. One-on-one meeting

need to be taken or each patient on my daily t

so that their nurses and doctors are able to keep

with their activity on the unit when they are no

to meet with or observe them.

NU Sci: How has this co-op aected your uture

cottle : This co-op has made me realize that,

I am ascinated by laboratory research in the n

science and biological elds, I enjoy working w

jorDaN keefe

DIRECTOR OF

STUDENT SERVICES

NU Sci: How didyou get involvedwith the co-opprogram at NU?

jk :I had been anacademic advisorpreviously and I likedthe benet co-op added to a students studies.

NU Sci:What do you think the benetsare o partaking in a co-op experience? Howmany would you suggest pursuing as anundergraduate?

jk :The benets are learning what you doand do not like with regards to a career. Youmay really love one area o your major andreinorce that on co-op, but you may also ndthat a certain area or eld isnt or you, andthat can be just as valuable. I recommend atleast one, but depending on the areas youwant to try out, two or three may be best!

NU Sci: What sort o experience can astudent expect or their rst co-op?

jk :It really depends on their previous experi-ences. I you have done i nternships or workedwith a proessor you may have a dierentexperience than i this was your rst proes-sional experience.

NU Sci:How does this experience changeas you enter your second or third co-op?

jk :Usually, students have more responsibil-ity with each co-op and are also given morein-depth tasks at each position.

NU Sci:Would you be able to share a ew

interview tips?jk :There are tons o interview tips! Makesure that you are proessional and I denitelyrecommend doing a mock interview with yourcoordinator or career services i you arenervous about an interview.

NU Sci:What has been your avorite experi-ence as a co-op advisor at NU?

jk :Getting to know my students and helpingthem to nd the right path or their uture.

Embarking on co-op is a huge

part o your Northeastern education

and something you should take

ull advantage o. But as any rst timeuser o myNEUCOOL can tell you,

nding the perect co-op can be

a daunting task. Luckily, your co-op

advisor is there to help you along

the way. They will help give you

tips on how to perect your resume,

assist you with your interviewing

skills, and, o course, help you

nd the internship thats right or you.

NU Science was able to talk with

a ew advisors rom the College o

Science to get their input on the

process.

karyN roSeN,

M.eD., cPcc

CO-OP FACULTY

COORDINATOR,

MATH/PHYSICS

NU Sci: How didyou get involvedwith the co-opprogram at NU?

kr :Ater severalyears o working at IBM in a variety o corpo-rate marketing positions, I ound mysel at a

crossroads. As a ormer educator, I wanted touse my training as a proessional coach withcollege students to see i I would enjoy workingwith that population. Ater volunteering or aew months in Northeasterns Career ServicesCenter, an opportunity to interview or theMath/Physics co-op advisor position becameavailable. The rest, as they say, is history. Ihave now been working with this segment othe College o Science student population ortwo years.

NU Sci: What do you think the benets are opartaking in a co-op experience how many wouldyou suggest pursuing as an undergraduate?

kr :The benets o co-op cannot be overemphasized. Here are a ew:

Strengthen communication skills both written and oral

Increase sel condence

Acquire proessional experience

Test out dierent work environments

Resolve problems

Receive eedback rom co-workersand supervisors

Build proessional networks

Although most students experience two

co-ops, and many complete three, there aremany opportunities or valuable experientiallearning that enhance opportunities or utureemployment or graduate school. The numbero co-ops recommended should depend onthe interests o the students.

NU Sci:What sort o experience can a studentexpect or their rst co-op?

kr :Math students have experienced a widevariety o rst time co-ops. These can rangerom teaching assistantships in public schoolsto research assistants and actuarial positions.

An Introduction to Co-op AdvisorsPhysics and Biomedical Physics typically ndopportunities in technical support or conduct-ing research on campus.

NU Sci:How does this experience change asyou enter your second or third co-ops?

kr :The students typically nd more sophis-ticated opportunities or their second and/or third co-op. For example, one o the mathstudents who worked on curriculum or theBoston Public Schools last year is now workingin a Finance position at IBM, India. Actuarialpositions are more accessible as are higher

level marketing and nance jobs.Physics students requently leverage theirrst co-op experience to land opportunities inengineering rms or at national departmento energy labs. Many physics students wishto ulll a co-op goal to work at Woods HoleOceanographic Institution. This semester twoapplied Physics majors and one biomedicalPhysics major are completing their secondco-op there. Their geophysical research tookthem to Botswana and Zambia.

NU Sci: Would you be able to share a ewinterview tips?

kr : Practice answers to the typical interview ques-

tions (Tell me about yoursel; What are yourstrengths? What are your weaknesses?)

Keep responses to


9/13

opWhen it comes to getting an education at Northeastern University,one o the most exciting and rewarding experiences available

is the co-op program. It is a reason that many students choose toattend the school, and gives its participants a chance to see whatis in store or them in their uture careers. The process o applyingor co-ops and interviewing or positions takes a lot o hard work,but here are some tips to help you navigate rom applicationsto acceptance:

The rst step to landing a great co-op is the

resume. Your resume is the very rst part o

your application that a company will see, and

rst impressions are crucial. While your Intro

to Co-op class will be very helpul in designing

and editing the rst drat o your resume, it is

important to continuously update your resume

beore sending it out to potential employers.

Besides content, a resume should also create a

nice visual. Co-op advisors are more than happy

to help work on the aesthetics o your resume.

Keep your options open. The more jobs you

apply or, the more likely you are to get one.

This means that you may have to apply or

positions that you hadnt considered beore.

No matter where you co-op or what kind o job

you nd, you will still gain great experience and

maybe even discover that the job you hadnt

thought o could be perect or you!

The Co-op Connection:How to Land the Perect Co-op

people more than test tubes and am now more

ested in pursuing a clinical career.

NU Sci: What was the best thing about your p

cottle : The best thing about working at Arbou

Hospital is the great exposure it gives to the i ll

in the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manua

Mental Disorders), seeing the dierent ways th

maniest in an individual, and experiencing th

that dierent treatments most eectively aid in

healing process. Co-op is such an important a

our education because it brings our textbooks

NU Sci: What was one o the more dicult as

o your co-op?

cottle : Quite rankly, when working on an a

unit in a psychotic hospital, you take a lot o v

abuse rom patients who arent in complete co

Also, there are times when the job can get phy

cal when there is no other option or maintain

patients saety.

NU Sci: How were you able to apply your exp

in the classroom to your co-op experience?

cottle : It is important to know about the di

mental illnesses going into the job. Psychology

help you to understand a patients diagnosis an

to deal with that individual.

NU Sci: What advice would you give students

ested in completing a co-op similar to yours?

cottle : My best advice would be to go into an

co-op with an open mind, and be prepared or

thing. In settings such as a psychiatric hospita

it is extremely important to be able to work as

team with the rest o your sta. Be condent in

sel, your abilities, and what you can bring to y

job. Dont hold any o it back. It is also import

to go to work everyday like it is a new day and nonto the things that happened yesterday. With

who are getting treatment and improving, it is

more benecial or them to not have you ocu

on the bad things they did in the past, but on th

good things they are doing now.

Elizabeth Gilbert, International Aairs and

Health Science, 2013

Compile a list of a couple of people to serve as

proessional reerences and create a sheet with

their contact inormation. Ask your advisor or a

aculty member who knows you well enough tobe able to recommend you to a position.

After applications, the next important step is

the interview. Depending on the company and

the location, the interviews can either be done

over the phone or in person. Regardless o how

the interview is conducted, the most important

step to take ater scheduling an interview is to

do some research on the company. Find out

the name o the person who is supervising the

position and read up on t heir most current

research publications. The more you know

about the position and the company, the more

you will be able t o discuss with the interviewer.

Having done research prior to the interview

shows the company that you are very inter-

ested in the job and willing to do work on your

own to learn about your potential new employer.

It also can help you develop questions to ask

an interviewer about.

For interviews that are done in person, dressing

appropriately is key. Suits or shirts and ties

or men, and skirt suits or slacks or women are

appropriate. Otentimes the interview is the

rst time that you will get to meet your potentialsupervisor or co-op, and dressing correctly

can help make the best rst impression

possible. When in doubt, it is always better

to be overdressed!

Keep a clean folder set aside to take to any

interview that includes extra printed copies o

your resume, proessional reerences, note-

paper and a pen. The interviewer may bring acopy o your resume with them, but it never

hurts to have an extra one just in case. Take

notes on each position during interviews and

gather contact inormation rom interviewers,

in case you come up with more questions ater

an interview has ended.

Be patient throughout the application process.

Every company does selections on a dierent

timeline, and it can be altered by number o

applicants, number o positions, or unexpected

goings-on at the company. Dont get discouraged

by other classmates discussing where they

have interviewed or who has been oered posi-

tions. It will only lead to unnecessary stress.

While all o these points are important in

preparing or co-op applications and in navigat-

ing the interview and selection process, the

most important piece o advice, as clich as

it sounds, is to be yoursel. Sticking to what

you believe in and the topics you are interested

in learning about will ultimately lead you to

the co-op that will provide the b est possible

experience. The process might seem daunting

at rst, but the knowledge gained is well worththe eort.

Megan Troy, Biochemistry, 2014

CO -O P I NT ER VI EW continued rom p. 13

14 NU Science NU Scie


10/13

Its been 3 months since graduation day and somehow I still have to

convince mysel that Im not in college. It eels like the end o an era.

Looking back, I can absolutely say I made the most out o my time

at Northeastern and I wouldnt change a thing. So, here are a ew words

about my journey through NU and a ew pieces o advice to you lucky

undergrads...

I entered Northeastern with the intention to graduate with a

Biology degree and a pre-med concentration. Five years later, I did just

that. I recently applied to medical school with the help o the North-

eastern pre-health advising department. I must say, it wasnt an easy

road, as Im sure most o you can relate to. Now, I nd that I am nally

at a sense o ease and I am condent in my competitiveness as an

applicant. This is directly attributed to my strong academic oundation

as well as all o the undergraduate opportunities that I was able to

take part in.

Academics are easily the most important asset in post-grad

endeavors. I remember studying or the MCAT and being thankul

or everything that I remembered rom my NU courses. Regulatory

Cell Biology was undamental in my MCAT preparation thanks to

Proessor Wendy Smiths MCAT style testing questions. Equally as

challenging and benecial was the inamous Organic Chemistry. Yet,

my avorite class by ar was Biochemistry with Proessor Manning.

I can vividly remember light bulbs going o in my mind when I was

able to truly understand how Chemistry and Physics all related to the

processes within the human body. Although at times the tests, endless

nights o reading and 8AM labs seem impossible, it was all worth it.

Take the time to understand your coursework, otherwise you will

nd yoursel having to re-learn things that you already know years

later. It wasnt the random acts that I had learned along the way, butultimately it was the accumulation o all this material that made my

undergraduate education truly valuable.

As much as academics are the most important, it is not the only

determining actor. Now remember, you didnt choose an ordinary

school. You chose a ve year school. You chose a school in the heart o

Boston with the best hospitals and biotech companies in the w

Northeastern is unique to say the least. Post- grad jobs are hard

come by,but rest assured that having co- op experiences on your

already puts you ahead o the game. In my experience, employe

impressed by the act that I took advantage o so many underg

opportunities. They were especially interested in the act that I

a variety o research experience both through internships at bi

companies and within the Northeastern academic community

experiences truly made me stand out amongst other applicants.

Currently I am working as a Research Associate within th

Division o Cardiovascular Medicine at Brigham and Womens

Hospital. To top it all o, my resume was given to the departme

a recruiter who I met through the Northeastern career services

Thanks to NU, I nd mysel well versed in the eld o science; n

an unsure student, but as a young proessional within the healt

eld, condent in my uture career.

I wish that someone had told me 5 years ago that your ear

would be one the most challenging times in your lie. So, here I

warning you! Graduating is really an eye opening experience to

the least. The real world is ull o decisions and soul searching.

you still have time let to prepare! So as a student, ocus on you

what you are capable o, and what you want to make out o you

years. Make decisions that will positively impact your uture. In

a diploma is only a piece o paper. It is really what youve done a

the way that makes your education worthwhile. Take advantage

everything while you can: study abroad, research, on campus org

tions and clubs, community service, and internships! Do it all!

Northeastern will give you the tools to do well, but it is ultimat

your responsibility to use them to the ullest. Once you graduatprivileges dwindle quickly. No more gym membership, caeteri

even student discounts! Luckily there is one thing that no one c

ever take away rom you: your lietime connection to this Univ

your orever reputation as a Northeastern Husky!

Andrea DeDonato, Biology, 2011

Alumni:(

Centerso Research

on Campus

Barnett Institute o Chemicaland Biological Analysis

This interdisciplinary center o research brings

together analytical chemistry and systems

biology to develop and apply new technolo-

gies in research and medicine. Since being

established in 1973, students and researchers

have published more than 975 papers and now

hold more than 70 patents, which together

bring about $1 million a year to the university.

Located in the Department o Chemistry and

Chemical Biology, the Barnett Institute has

pioneered such advancements as discover-

ing biomarkers or breast, cervical, and lung

cancers; multiple lectin anity chromatography

(MLAC), a revolutionary way to isolate animportant class o proteins; and the use o

capillary electrophoresis to screen natural sub-

stances or possible therapeutic compounds.

Under the seven tenured proessors in the

Institute, groups o researchers and students

work at the cutting-edge o biochemistry.

Antimicrobial Discovery CenterThis center was ounded in 2006, to combat

one o the biggest threats to humanity: drug

resistant microbes. Its been 40 years since

new classes o antibiotics have been discov-

ered, and multiple drug resistant diseases have

become increasingly dangerous. The centers

researchers come rom across the science

programs at Northeastern biology, chemistry,

physics, and pharmaceutical science.

Center or Drug Discovery

Working with the biotechnology and pharma-

ceutical industries, this center researches the

methods o action o drugs in order to develop

better therapeutic techniques. Areas o study

include the blood-brain barrier, drug receptor

interactions, and the role o membranes in

drug activity. Classes o drugs being studied

include cannabinoids, steroids, and antineo-

plastic ether lipids.

Center or Interdisciplinary Researchon Complex Systems (CIRCS)

CIRCS was ounded in 1995 as part o an

eort to bring researchers o various back-

grounds together to work on both biological

and material science problems. Examples o

the centers work include computer models

to study HIV replication and cardiac dynamics;

research on the ormation o the mitotic spindle;

and computational neural models. Twelve

aculty members rom physics, chemistry,

mathematics, and electrical and computer engi-neering, as well as undergraduate and graduate

students provide the backbone or this center,

which has partnerships with Cornell, UCLA,

and MIT.

Center or Complex Network Research

Research in this center has included studying

the Internet (websites are, on average, 19 clicks

rom each other), complex cellular systems,

and sociological connections, such as adding

science to the game Six Degrees o Kevin

Bacon. Advances in network research promise

to change our understanding o neuroscience,

cell biology, and all other types o complex

systems.

Marine Science Center

Located on a peninsula a ew miles outside

o Boston, the center is home to year-round

research, teaching and diving. Research

includes genetically engineered seaweed to

clean wastewater rom agricultural acilities,

new antibiotics, and underwater robots. It is

also the base or the Three Seas Program, in

which 20 students spend a year studying in

Friday Harbor Laboratories at the University

o Washington, Panama and the Marine Sci-ence Center in Nahant.

New England Infammationand Tissue Protection InstituteFounded in 2003, this centers work ocuses on

the mechanisms o tissue infammation, and its

role in ghting disease. The research builds the

body o knowledge necessary to combat can-

cer and develop new approaches to vaccines.

Cat Ferguson, Behavioral Neuroscience, 2013

Alumni Let me start out by saying, 5 years is defnitely not enoug

16 NU Science NU Sci


11/13

Heading to Vet School!

An Interview with recent graduate, Aria Castori

Many have an afnity or animals and would love to spend their days working

with them, but ew realize the stamina, intellect, and determination it takes to becomea veterinarian. NU Science magazine had the opportunity to talk with Aria Castori,

a recent graduate, about her admittance to veterinary school and her experiences

at Northeastern. While an undergraduate, Aria was an impeccable student, actively

involved in a number o clubs on campus. Since graduating with a BS in Biology in

December 2010, she has been working ull-time at a local veterinary clinic, where she

had completed two rounds o co-op. She was admitted to the prestigious veterinary

medicine program at Cornell University, and will be graduating with a DVM

(Doctor o Veterinary Medicine) in 2015.

NU Sci: Did you partake in any co-ops and

were they benecial?

ari a: I completed two rounds o co-op at

the South Bay Veterinary Group as a veteri-

nary assistant, working with dogs and cats.

This is where I received the bulk o my veteri-

nary experience and I would not trade this

opportunity or anything. I highly recom-

mend working here. I also interned (alterna-

tive co-op) at the New England Aquarium

as a diver in the Giant Ocean Tank. This was

an amazing experience that opened my

eyes to the world o aquatic animal medicine.

Both o these experiences allowed me to

explore dierent aspects o the veterinary

eld, acquire skills necessary to enter the workorce ater college, and made me a competi-

tive applicant or veterinary school.

NU Sci: Which elective classes would you

recommend to underclassmen interested in

veterinary science?

ari a: I enjoyed Marine Birds & Mammals,

Beginning Scuba, Environment & Society,

and all zoology courses (such as Vertebrate

Zoology). Although my elective choices did

James Peerless, Chemical Engineering, 20111. Wh dd u dd g NU?

Interestingly enough, Northeastern was the

only northern school I applied to. I nearlyended up at Clemson in South Carolina. Twothings happened when I visited Northeasternor an open house. First, the ride was onlytwo hours to campus. Second, the proes-sors were legitimately excited about whatthey do. Whatever it was they were talkingabout, I wanted in, and I wanted them toshow me the way.

2. Dd u n NU nwng wh u wnd d nd wh

u wnd sud?

I did want to be a chemical engineer beore I entered school, but I hada dierent path in mind. I originally wanted to ocus on pharmaceuti-cal engineering. Ater a bad co-op experience and some infuentialclasses, I switched to a materials ocus.

3. Wh w u uss?

My avorite courses were the ChemE transport courses (one and two).These are math-rst classes that study fuid dynamics, heat and masstranser. Ive always appreciated the ability o mathematics to describeand predict natural phenomena. A ew awesome proessors didnt hurteither (Pro. Ziemer/Pro. Satvat).

4. Whh uss ms hpd u pp h uu?

Each course added a little something. The thing you learn most incollege is how to set up problems, what it means to be successul,how to work your butt o, and why working your butt o leadsto being successul. The above two classes were exemplary in thisrespect, so theyre de acto winners.

NU Sci: Has your desire to work with ani-

mals and train in veterinary medicine been

lie-long or has it developed recently?

ari a: My desire to work with animals began

in high school. I thought I wanted to work

in the human medical eld but chose an

internship at the Humane Society o New York

almost on a whim. I absolutely ell in love

with the environment and changed my career

path to veterinary medicine.

NU Sci: Did you decide to attend NU with

this career path in mind?

ari a: Yes, I chose NU with this career path

in mind. I was attracted to the co-op program

and saw it as a way to gain meaningulexperience in my eld without having to rely

on part-time or summer jobs as my only

opening into the veterinary community.

I also wanted to attend college in a city, and

Boston ts the bill.

I N T E R V I E W

5. Wh w u -p xpns nd hw dd h

hp u pp gdun?

I could be one o NUs many poster children or co-op. My rst co-opswitched my career paths rom pharmaceuticals. My second two wereat the company I now work or. My last two were great, thus leading tomy job. And yes, these co-ops prepared me or my current job.

6. D u h n d sudns ppng hme -ps?

For students applying, I guess all I could say is dont worry aboutnot getting calls early, and just weigh your options based on clearlydened actors (commute, pay, uture implications, etc.) For interview-ing, i youre over 15 minutes early, take a walk around the block. Thisis a pet peeve o many interviewers. Other than that, just relax and tryto come o as a person people would enjoy working with. Interviewersor co-op jobs dont expect you to know everything, just be reliable andun to work with.

7. Wh u pns nw h u gdud?

Right now, Im ocusing on work. That may not be the statement o thecentury, but it takes a little while to get acclimated. From there, Ill ndwhere to go with my career; I grad schools right or me, a change oindustry, or a complete change o career path. It all can change in thenext couple years.

8. Hw dd NU hp u pp h uu nd wh w

u ps u NU dun?

Northeasterns biggest git to me was its general environment ocareer-oriented and orward-thinking students. The students here knowhow to have un, but theres a subtle dierence in the conversationsyou have at NU and those youll have at UCONN. People have an ideao where theyre going here. At other schools they mostly just careabout where their next beer is coming rom (not that its not important)and what they saw on spring break (not that Im not ascinated). Thesense o ocus was the best part o NU.

not stray ar rom my chosen eld, i I

more time I would have taken elective

explored my interests outside o the ve

nary eld, as this is the only t ime you

ever be able to take such classes again

NU Sci: Which courses do you think

most benecial to your education and

your preparation or vet school?

ari a: Almost every biology class Ive

has proved to be benecial to my prep

veterinary school. The classes that stan

out the most in my mind are Genetics

Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Mar

Birds and Mammals, and Vertebrate Z

The ormer two courses and especially

corresponding labs helped me acquire

tory skills that I know wil l come in ha

during veterinary school and the latte

courses proved useul during my co-o

NU Sci: Admissions to graduate scho

dicult, and even more so or veterina

grams. How did you deal with the pre

and do you have any advice or condu

successul search?

ari a: I planned my schedule such tha

was on co-op and then interning durin

application process. This way, the only

ing I had to worry about was or the G

and the only essays I needed to write w

applications. I possible, I highly recom

this strategy to lower stress during app

tions. I I could do it again, I would hav

started studying or the GREs ar earli

the spring o application year so that I

be done with the GREs beore applica

began in June. Also, I cannot recomm

NUs writing center highly enough.The

there were invaluable to me. I also rec

mend researching schools to apply to

you already got in everywhere and hav

decide between them. It is a waste o ti

money to apply to schools you arent e

about going to, and it can show on you

application to those schools as well.

NU Sci

: What are your plans or the new years and how has your time at NU

to shape your uture?

ari a: I will be attending Cornells Co

o Veterinary Medicine this all. It will

quite the journey and I have NU to th

helping me get to this point. Right now

interests are in aquatic and w ildlie m

but I am remaining open to the many

ent paths I can take in this eld.

18 NU Science NU Sci


12/13

Some people enter college knowing exactly

what they want to do with their lie. Its as i

theyve sprung rom the womb ingrained with a

desire to become a doctor, or a rocket scientist,

or to study some eccentric orm o bacteria liv-

ing on the bottom o their shoes. They had their

courses or all ve years mapped out beore

orientation, started looking or grad schools as

a reshman, and have never wavered in theirpath toward their chosen proessions.

Then there are those who enter with a

vague idea o what they want to do, try out a

bunch o dierent majors, and nally gure it

out, long ater their amily and riends have

given up asking about their interests. I youre

one o the latter, dont panic. I was too and so

ar its worked out beyond my wildest dreams.

The rst semester was alright. I was

getting acclimated to college lie, exploring

the city, and meeting new people. I wasnt chal-

lenged academically, but I gured that would

come with time, and I lled my aternoons with

a wide variety o clubs and activities like Model

UN and Tastemakers. By the second semester

though, I was pretty sure I needed a change.

A ew weeks into my internship at a nancialrm the decision was solidied: I needed out!

Ater some soul-searching and re-evaluating,

I landed upon a new major, Biochemistry.

The jump rom business to biochem may

seem a bit drastic and it was. Science had

been a calling much earlier in lie, when I was

ascinated by sharks and the natural world and

would stay in at recess to dissect a sh one o

my teachers had caught. Biochemistry seemed

like an intriguing, rigorous, and rewarding eld,

both in lie experience and job opportunities,

and I was sold.

The switch to biochemistry was perhaps

the most wonderul and dening decision in my

lie. I was once again immersed in a eld where

you could study all day and night and still have

more material to pour over, a place where new

developments occurred by the minute, and a

place where you were (almost) never required

to wear suits. The rst ew weeks were admit-

tedly dicult. I hadnt taken a science course in

two years, and here I was in a class with some

o those, rom the womb biology addicts. But

it soon clicked and the passion to learn a

NU Science Issue 8

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