Junior
Houston, TX

Career Goal: I would like to study for a Ph.D. in either analytical or inorganic chemistry and work first in industry and possibly teach later.

I am currently a member of the Resident Hall Association (President of my dorm council), Student Government and Alpha Pi Omega service society. I work as a laboratory assistant for the chemistry department on the Universitys work/study program. Even with a full schedule I manage to spend time with friends and family and enjoy an active social life.

I became seriously interested in science in the 7th or 8th grade. I am very analytical in my thinking and chemistry goes along with the way I prefer to have things ordered. Why chemistry? - because the math is precise and the procedures are structured.

Research: This past summer I worked with analytical chemistry professor Dr. Aubrie Starks to devise a test to analyze the capsaicin content in chili peppers. I would like to be able to continue this research next summer or work in an analytical chemistry lab.

University Life: The University of Dallas has the best of both worlds academic and social.

Comments for High School Students: Intellectual curiosity and an upbeat attitude will take you far.

Junior
Hudson, OH
Career Goal: Presently, I would like to attend graduate school for a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering or attend medical school for aPh.D./M.D. in the same area.

I was born in Wisconsin and lived in New Jersey and Ohio during my formative years. I attended public schools through the 5th grade and was home schooled until the 10th grade. For my junior and senior years in high school, I was home schooled and took university classes. I enjoy playing the piano and reading, tennis, skiing and swimming. I have been a lifeguard for 5 years.

Research: During the summer of 2002 I researched under chemistry professor Dr. William Hendrickson in organic chemistry. It was a mechanistic study ofthe reaction of primary and secondary alcohols with commercial bleach and a phase transfer catalyst.

University Life: I came to the University of Dallas because I was looking for a small Catholic university, and UD offered me the most for the money. Theirreputation for an outstanding pre-med program was also very attractive.

I feel that I have received a good education from UD. I really enjoy the small class sizes and the fact that the professors know their students on amore personal level than they would at a large university.

Comments for High School Students: Be prepared to study and to work harder than you ever have before. But dont worry because its totally worth it.

Junior
Dallas, TX
Career Goal: I plan on going to medical school to become either a heart surgeon/cardiologist or an anesthesiologist.

I am an 18-year-old junior biology major who is originally from Mexico City. I love to read scientific magazines like Discover and Popular Science and to socialize with friends at the movies, dance clubs, and the mall. I enjoy surrounding myself with my friends and people in general.

Research: During the summer of 2002 I worked with biochemistry professor Dr. Scott Boegeman studying reactions involving a Phospholipid enzyme (Phospholipase D) from two strains of Streptomyces Bacteria (Chromofuscus and Species). I plan to continue research in this area next summer and gather information for each enzyme in order to understand the mechanisms of some of the reactions that the enzyme undergoes. My research is interesting because requires a knowledge of both biology and chemistry and I feel that I can relate to both.

University Life: One of the main factors that made the University of Dallas so attractive to me is that I am close with all of the professors. They know me by name and because I have close contact with each member of the chemistry faculty, its easier to work with them.

The atmosphere at UD is friendly and you dont feel compelled to work all of the time. Its great to go out with fellow students and researchers and have fun.

With the experiences I have gotten at UD, I have been able to set my goals for the future. Initially, I wasnt sure what I wanted to do in the scientific field but I have since made up my mind about going to medical school and becoming a doctor.

Comments for High School Students: Study! Study! Study! Begin developing great study habits now because you will need them in college. Also, dont study all the time. With determination and organization, you should be able to get all of your studying done and still be able to go out with friends. Dont feel stupid for not knowing everything when you first come to college. Everyone has questions and its O.K. to ask them.

Junior
Abilene, TX

Career Goal: I plan on graduating with a B.S. in chemistry, then attending graduate school for an MBA in International Sales and Marketing. I am interested in working for either a pharmaceutical or cosmetics company.

I am a junior chemistry major from Abilene, TX. I enjoy snow skiing and playing tennis. I am also an accomplished pianist and cellist.

I did not decide on my major until the end of my senior year in high school after taking AP Chemistry. After attending the OHara Chemical Sciences Institute at UD I realized that I liked chemistry enough to major in it and to combine it with my interest in business. The sciences have always interested me because of all the technological advances from medicine to outer space exploration.

Research: During the summer of 2002, I spent 10 weeks at UD researching a group of organic compounds, Flavones, in rose petals. The purpose was to extract and identify the flavonoids that were present in the rose petals and then determine the concentration of each flavonoid based on the color and type of rose. I learned a lot concerning technique, equipment, understanding what kind of systems and tests to run, and how hard and dedicated one must be to pursue this field of study. I was pleased to have been able to lay a foundation to work from for future research.

University Life: I chose the University of Dallas because it is a very good Catholic school with a strong emphasis on the liberal arts curriculum which allows each student here to grow in faith, character, and knowledge. The school is very good about letting you speak your mind on issues that some schools may just sweep under the table. The faith community is visible and active with the help of the Dominicans and Cistercians.

The student body is from all over the country and the world, allowing me to see outside the Abilene bubble. There is much diversity in the Dallas metroplex and the city itself has lots to offer: great shopping, nice restaurants, different exhibitions (symphony, opera, sports, art, etc.), beautiful parks (to mellow out and relax on the weekends), exciting traffic, and a culturally varied and friendly atmosphere.

I was also drawn to the University of Dallas because of my high school chemistry teachers praises on how well the summer chemistry courses for teachers were taught by the UD chemistry faculty.

The University has fulfilled all of my expectations of what a university should be because of the great faith community, a supportive administration, and friendly student body. The food is good and the refurbished dorms are nice. The faculty is very demanding of every student but they understand the unique challenges for science majors contending with a tough core curriculum and long labs. The course work is hard, but not impossible and the professors and student tutors are always available to help.

Comments for High School Students: Study hard every day, especially right after classes. The material taught in class stays with you better then and you will have time in the evenings to socialize. Be prepared to work but know that the professors are very supportive and are here to see that you succeed. One of the advantages of going to a smaller university is that there is a better teacher/student ratio and better teacher/student relationships. The professors enjoy doing things with the student body outside of the classroom.

The academic work is a challenge, but it opens your mind to so much and there is the reward of a job well-done at the end if you put the effort into it.