Featured Scholar:
Lauren Tuhacek
2000 - 2001 University Scholar
Mentor: John Valentine
College of Medicine
Ever since Lauren Tuhacek was in the fourth grade she knew she wanted to pursue a medical or science-based career. "It was never pushed on me. It was just something I was interested in. In middle school we had the option of taking health classes, and I took them there and I just fell in love with it," she says. Lauren pauses for a moment, thinking back, then starts to laugh. "I was a nerd," she giggles. "Still am. But I like being a nerd!"
Lauren, a microbiology and cell science major originally from Ocala, Florida, will graduate next May. She plans to take the summer and fall semesters off, then apply to a unique forensics program at West Virginia University. Always interested in using science to unlock mysteries, Lauren intends to eventually pursue a career in forensics &endash; hopefully with the FBI. "I'd like to help find murderers," she says. "I'd like to perform autopsies."
Talk to Lauren for even a few minutes and you'll notice her sunny, cheerful personality. It seems incongruous with her career aspirations. Does she think she'll be able to handle the potentially dark nature of forensics? "I think so," she says. "My boyfriend's mother knows a doctor in Gainesville who does autopsies. I'm going to call him and see if I can observe some autopsies that he performs, so I'll know if this is something I want to do."
Her main reservation about pursuing a career in forensics is about turning into an overprotective parent. "I don't want to turn into the mother that's like, 'No, you can't go out,' because I'll know about all of the things that can happen," she says.
A former pre-medical student, Lauren's career goal is a recent development. She says that the novelty of the program at West Virginia University is what drew her in that direction. "I was interested in forensics, but I hadn't really thought about it. And I saw their one of a kind program" she says. "They bought a house that they renovated, and they set up crime scenes there. You go in and investigate and look for clues. Then the forensics students get together with third-year law students. They put on a trial and you go and give testimony."
Lauren says that her participation in the USP has exposed her to important procedures and concepts that she'll eventually use in her field. "I've been introduced to RNA and DNA. I've used methods for analyzing RNA and DNA like running gels and doing Northern blots," she says. "These procedures are pretty prevalent in forensics work and they're definitely not something I would have experienced in my regular course of study."
Outside of the lab, Lauren likes to read. Her choices mirror her career aspirations. "I like to read murder mysteries," she says. She also enjoys dancing the Argentine tango and informal volleyball games with friends. "I'm happy when I get to hit it over the net instead of behind me," she laughs.
Her recipe for long-term happiness includes having children and finding career satisfaction. "I want to have a family and do something that I enjoy. I've seen too many people unhappy with what they do and I love what I'm doing now," she says.
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