Melissa Sheehan ’28, a biomedical sciences major, participated in the Pre-Med Preparation: Medical Microbiology program in 2023.

“This program was an incredible opportunity to dive into the field of medical microbiology while gaining hands-on laboratory and field experience. One of the highlights was working with Professor Donnasue Graesser, whose passion for microbiology was truly inspiring,” said Sheehan.

Looking to further explore microbiology’s impact on healthcare, Sheehan’s fascination with the field was ignited by personal experiences.

“My interest in the program was sparked by my passion for science and medicine, particularly after researching chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) during high school, inspired by my grandma's battle with lymphoma,” said Sheehan.

While living on campus for the program, Sheehan participated in a variety of interactive lab activities.

“One of the most memorable was our trip to Sleeping Giant State Park, where we collected soil samples to search for bacteria,” said Sheehan.

She examined the bacteria and its resistance to different antibiotics after returning to the lab.

“I developed valuable laboratory skills, such as bacterial culturing, staining techniques and antibiotic resistance testing,” said Sheehan.

She said that she has already applied these skills in her lab courses from her first semester.

“The experience honed my ability to think critically and work collaboratively, which are crucial for my biomedical sciences major,” said Sheehan.

She said the program gave her a leg-up in her classes. Sheehan said she highly recommends students with a passion in the field, interested in getting a glimpse at college life register for a summer program at Quinnipiac.

“This program played a major role in solidifying my decision to attend Quinnipiac. It wasn’t just about the science — it was also about the connections I made with peers and faculty like Professor Graesser,” said Sheehan.