MMG Alulmni Testimonials

“I came to UVM in 2003 with the intention of learning about the microbial world and with the dream of studying infectious diseases after graduation. I was very fortunate to have found the MMG department because it is made up of highly qualified professors and lecturers who are not only working on amazing research, but are excellent teachers who care enough about the students to go out of their way to help. I had some trouble adjusting from high school classes to college courses during my first 2 years, but the faculty in MMG made every effort to help me through that transition and build my confidence so that I could put what I learned in class to good use. While at UVM, a faculty member recognized my interest in public health and helped me secure a position as a research intern at the Vermont Department of Health Lab. I worked there for 4 semesters on a project to validate a real-time PCR assay to rapidly diagnose Bordetella pertussis infection, the etiological agent of whooping cough, in the state of Vermont. Thanks to the help of my mentors at the Vermont Dept of Health and MMG, I was able to write up my project and defend it before the CALS Distinguished Undergraduate Research Award committee. MMG faculty encouraged and helped me through graduate school applications and my application for a year-long fellowship at the CDC. Because of the strong science background I have from MMG, I was accepted into several PhD programs. However, I decided to defer graduate school for one year to participate in the APHL/CDC Emerging Infectious Diseases fellowship. This fall I will start working on a project to look for various species of Bacillus that may be acquiring virulence factors from Bacillus anthracis, which is the etiological agent of anthrax. I think that the MMG program has prepared me for a future in a foremost discipline. “ – July 2007

Nicole (Microbiology), graduated 2007

"I knew right away that I wanted to be a part of the MMG program at the University of Vermont. It was unique and offered a curriculum far unlike comparable biology programs at UVM or other schools. After a very helpful tour from several faculty members I was sold on the idea. Four years later words alone can't describe my satisfaction with the decision. The MMG department is run by the most dedicated and knowledgeable faculty and staff I've encountered and the program itself is fantastic. Interesting and challenging courses are offered every semester, among them excellent opportunities to do hands-on laboratory work in cloning and DNA technology. I never imagined how immersive this program could be, or how fun it would be. I managed to make some great friends while learning and participating in settings that would have been available nowhere else.

The MMG department opened some unexpected doors and provided some unique opportunities. I was invited to be a teaching assistant for a molecular cloning course in my senior year which was the most rewarding class experience I had in four years. As if that weren't enough I got to work as a research assistant on a chronicle of the Centers for Disease Control. And now I've been offered the chance to obtain a one-year master's degree in business administration before hopefully moving into pharmaceuticals or biotechnology. But believe it or not, this barely scratches the surface of the invaluable experience it has been. The MMG program and the people who make it possible are the best in the business and I'm proud to be a part of it." – July 2007

JP (Molecular Genetics), graduated 2007

“After graduating with a B.S in Molecular Genetics in 2007, and looking back on my time at UVM, I am so grateful for the experience and knowledge that I gained during my years in this major. I transferred into the MMG department during my sophomore year. Since then I was amazed at the support I received from my professors, my advisor, and fellow students. Small classes, hands-on lab experiences, amazing facilities and research opportunities are what makes the MMG department stand out from all the rest. I am currently interning at the Yale University School of Medicine in pursuit of a career in genetic counseling. I attribute my success thus far to the MMG department and its faculty. I know that as I continue my studies as a graduate student in human genetics, I’m well prepared and capable thanks to this amazing department.” – July 2007

Erica (Molecular Genetics), graduated 2007

I entered the MMG department as an incoming UVM freshman. I had an interest in learning more about DNA and RNA so it seemed like a good fit. The MMG department offered one of the greatest educational experiences I have ever had. First and foremost; the MMG faculty members aren’t just your educators, they are also your friends. Everyone who works in the department is very nice and easy to talk to, and people really care about your education as well as your future. The lectures are interesting and fun, while the lab courses are by far the best classes I have ever taken. The MMG department student faculty creates full lab course projects that are great precursors to actual lab work. They engineer the labs to be both highly demanding and a blast! I never thought I would have so much fun learning! I highly recommend any MMG student to take Molecular Cloning, Clinical Microbiology, and Mammalian Cell Culture lab courses. Another great experience that the MMG department provided was the ability to work in a lab as an undergraduate. My undergraduate research project conducted in the Burke lab was on the fluorescent characterization of a protonated wobble-like GC+ base pair in RNA using pyrrolo-cytosine. Through this research I was awarded a Distinguished Research Honor by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS), which helped jump-start my career. I graduated in 2007 with a BS in Molecular Genetics. I heard about a great company in Cambridge, Mass though my research mentor and applied for a research position. Due to my extensive laboratory experience and a wide variety of scientific curriculum, I was given the position of research associate and will be conducting research on DNA aptamers as therapeutic tools. Working in the biotech industry is a very exciting prospect that provides both interesting research opportunities and financial security. I will be the youngest employee at this company, and the only employee it has hired straight out of college with no other lab experience. Hopefully, I will return to graduate school in the future to receive my PhD. I am confident that my career was made possible through the possibilities provided by the MMG department at UVM. My experiences in the MMG department have presented good teachers, great friends, and an excellent job opportunity.” – July 2007

James (Molecular Genetics), graduated 2007

“I originally applied to UVM as an Animal Science major. However, I quickly switched over to MMG before classes even began. This was mostly due to the curriculum and the description of the courses offered. I felt that the program was vigorous and challenging and would prepare me and set me up well for whatever graduate program I chose to pursue (at the time I was still deciding between Vet or Med school).

Looking back… wow… that was an excellent move on my part. I don’t think there are many things that measure up to UVM’s MMG program! To this day I rave about my college experience to anyone who wants to listen and I still tell stories about all the excellent knowledge I’ve gained and the high-quality lab experience I was lucky enough to receive. On a personal level, I also became part of a welcoming, tight-knit community of unique, intelligent people made up not only of other students like myself, but caring enthusiastic faculty full of life and positive energy. I feel I’ve formed friendships that will not go away.

In the fall I will be starting medical school at Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, NY. As I prepare for my new phase in life, I am truly convinced that MMG put my foot in the door for success. In medical school interviews I often found myself discussing research experience and interesting aspects of classes I took… i.e. “Mammalian cell culture… what is that? What did you do? etc.” Even when the interviewers would try to ask difficult questions regarding the course material, they never seemed to stump me. I felt I had developed a true understanding of the material presented by MMG faculty (Obviously the professors have a way of thoroughly implanting the material into the growing minds of their students!). I even managed to score in the top 97 % on the biological sciences section of the MCAT and that was no accident…. MMG is the culprit for my high score! I will truly miss MMG – I will miss my classes, the people, the fruit platters Stephanie would bring to class, etc…. but one thing is for sure… to all prospective students… choose MMG… you WILL NOT regret it!” – July 2007

Janne (Microbiology), graduated 2006

“The Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics is a very unique and internally appreciated entity at the University of Vermont. The opportunities and level of learning that it provides to its student are amazing. The quality coaching the students receive includes great professors (I emphasize great) that teach the classes, as well as many other gifted researchers as mentors. The small class sizes granted me a lot of attention from my professors, and encouraged me to participate in class in a way that took in all that is being offered.

MMG has given me such a breadth and depth of knowledge in the field of Molecular Biology that I have been able to participate in internships at some of the nation's leading research institutes (Rockefeller University). I feel that this department has gone above and beyond the level of preparation for graduate school, and has made me into a highly marketable asset in a laboratory setting.

I am currently pursuing a career in Biofuel technology, and when I bring up my background and research experience in Molecular Genetics, I realize how much that sets me apart from other people trying to do the same thing. I realize how great this department is and deeply appreciate all that MMG has done for me.” – July 2007

Greg (Molecular Genetics), graduated 2006

"MMG is the best department at UVM. I came to UVM apprehensive and with the desire to transfer because it is my state school. However after just one year at UVM I didn't want to leave. There are many people who chose to enter into microbiology or molecular genetics degrees for preparation for more schooling, to prepare for research positions, or to enter into industry jobs. The MMG department is small and friendly. I felt comfortable talking to any member of the faculty and still keep in touch with many of them. They got to know me well and because of that helped me to better prepare myself for the next step after college rather than having to do so alone. I was given the opportunity to work in a lab in a close relationship with my mentor for several years doing research. I was also able to write several grant applications while in the lab to fund my own research. The department offers classes that are small and hands on with cutting technology that prepares you for the techniques required to work in a research lab. The teachers are enthusiastic and the opportunities are endless.

I entered the department knowing that I wanted to attend medical school. I was prepared well by the department for the MCAT and was offered several med school interviews, but turned them down after being accepted at UVM's College of Medicine. My undergraduate experience prepared me well for the curriculum and I have never felt as though I could not succeed and do just was well as any student from any other school. I am in fact writing this email from India during my summer break where I will be joining a health care expedition trip to the Himalayas to provide treatment to those that otherwise could not access it. The MMG department has allowed me to fulfill all of my goals and given me the tools and confidence to go on to future endeavors. I strongly recommend that you see if it is right for you." – July 2007

Joe (Microbiology), graduated 2006

“I cannot imagine that there is a course of study at UVM with better staff and better courses than the MMG department. The attentiveness shown by lab instructors, teaching assistants, and professors is second to none, and I never had any doubt that any one of them would have bent over backwards to help a student reach farther and achieve more. A perfect example of this has been the willingness of multiple faculty to advise former students after graduation in finding jobs and finding schools. This level of dedication to former students should be a clear indication of the kind of relationship students are able to develop with MMG faculty.

The kinds of techniques and concepts we worked in lectures and in lab work were some of the most current and most applicable in broad range of research disciplines, from microbiological techniques to genomics and proteomics. I think the single greatest skill I learned as an MMG student was to think and analyze critically and creatively, as well as to think outside the box about complex problems and troubleshooting concerns. It is handy to feel out where you might falter before you start moving forward, especially if you're dealing with something as finicky as Mammalian Cell Culture, or trying to think several "moves" ahead in the identification of an unknown microbe. This kind of thinking was further reinforced in Dr. Scott Morrical's lab, where I did work with a T4 protein involved in double stranded break repair. The people in Scott's lab built upon my strong foundation for examining and asking a lot of questions (honed in the MMG lab courses) and made me a much better scientific thinker. My lab work improved greatly as I learned to ask better questions of my peers and myself, as well as how to find answers and fully utilize all of the resources at my disposal.” – July 2007

Josh (Molecular Genetics), graduated 2006

“I transferred into the MMG department at the end of my sophomore year. During the two years I spent in the department I had great teachers in small classes that allowed for great one on one learning with the instructors and great friends with the small group of students. In the short time I spent in the MMG department I was prepared for the "real world" through rigorous labs, lectures, and research. Within one month of graduation I was offered a research position at the NIH at the Infectious Diseases Laboratory in the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. During my interview my future boss told me it was my extensive class work and great undergraduate research experience outside the classroom that gave them the confidence that I was the best fit, even though I was up against many with more years of experience and higher degrees.” - Feb 2006

Denali (Microbiology), graduated December 2005

“I graduated in May 2005 with a BS in molecular genetics; and I can’t say enough about how much I love the MMG Dept. I started my undergraduate study at UVM majoring in biochemical sciences. The early part of the coursework for that program largely coincided with the requirements for most CALS life science programs, including MMG. I decided to change my major to molecular genetics while taking an introductory microbiology course, which was taught jointly by several members of the MMG faculty. As I would find out later, many of the MMG courses are broken up into smaller sections of study generally taught by the faculty members who have the most first hand experience in that particular area of research. This feature of the MMG program has several benefits for their students. First, the faculty members in this department are outstanding; prominent contributors in their field who possess a very “current” knowledge of the topics they teach (even though what we know about those topics changes continuously with the latest research). Second, when the faculty teach about what they do, their excitement and enthusiasm for that topic is obvious and contagious, which not only makes lectures interesting but also helps the students to reach a real understanding of what they’re learning. Third, each instructor administers their own exam for their section of the coursework. This is a HUGE benefit to students because, no matter how much you know and how much you study, there will always be one instructor in your college career who’s style of testing will never seem to match your style of answering! In jointly taught courses, your grade is never simply a reflection of how well you mesh with one instructor.

However, the biggest benefit of being an MMG undergrad is the opportunity for hands on laboratory research. I worked on my own project my junior and senior year under the guidance of a highly experienced (but very patient) MMG staff member in Dr. Susan Wallace’s lab. The work that I did in that time will hopefully soon lead to a published paper. Beyond all other benefits of this program, I found that being able to list two years of laboratory research experience and the title of my senior thesis project on my resume was the most rewarding aspect of this program. A few weeks before I graduated, I was offered a position as a lab research technician in the MMG dept. I accepted and now I have applied to a master’s program here at UVM, which I hope to complete on a part-time basis in the next few years.” - Feb 2006

Alicia (Molecular Genetics), graduated 2005

“I am a graduate student at Yale School of Public Health, and an Ensign for the U.S. Public Health Service. I thank the MMG department for setting me up on a course of success. From the first day I transferred to UVM, I was greeted with open and helpful arms from the MMG department. I was able to meet with my advisor before I even started school, and found research opportunities in my first semester at UVM. The faculty in MMG were superb, very helpful, and very personal. The small classes, and the state of the art facilities, placed me ahead of my fellow classmates at Yale. The MMG faculty are the best career counselors you could have, which is as important as the practical experience you will learn as an undergraduate. Professors assisted me in meeting alumni for job counseling, and continue to assist me at Yale. Stafford Hall, the home of MMG, was a home away from home. The camaraderie of the MMG students improved the overall college experience at UVM, and I plan on supporting the MMG department in anyway I can.” - Feb 2006

Amy (Microbiology), graduated 2005

“Through the MMG department and guidance I was able to pursue graduate level research at an undergraduate level. My first research project was a HELIX internship and the results were published in the journal of Virology. The following years of research and course work further prepared me for graduate school where I am now studying/researching for my masters in pathology.” - Feb 2006

Jessica (Microbiology), graduated 2005

“I graduated from UVM in 2004 with a B.S. in Molecular Genetics. One of my best experiences was an undergraduate research project I took on during my sophomore year under the guidance (and patience!) of Dr. Cedric Wesley. I was very fortunate to be able to extend my research project into the summer with funding from UVM's HELiX program. This early opportunity for hands-on experience, in combination with the array of classes and exceptional professors who make-up the MMG program, gave me an excellent start on my career path. At first I was nervous about finding work as a molecular geneticist in Vermont. My first job after graduation was in the West Nile virus program (tracking) with the Vermont Department of Health. I found that I very much enjoyed public health but missed the laboratory work. From the West Nile program I moved to the Vermont Department of Health Laboratory. Here I have found a good balance between public health and the bench work I grew to love at UVM! I am an active member of many different areas within in the lab, including enteric pathogens, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, the rabies program, and a soon-to-be member of the bioterrorism team. The MMG program taught me the most current technology and techniques needed to work in these areas. In the near future I plan to go back to school to pursue a Master's degree in Public Health.” - Feb 2006

Valarie (Molecular Genetics), graduated 2004

“The MMG undergraduate program gave me an academic identity and inspired in me life-long scholarship. What I’ve learnt spread a foundation that has proved to be invaluable as I prepare for medical school. The faculty are genuinely invested in one’s academic and personal growth. Class sizes were small and personal. I found a mentor and more than one friend in this program.” - Feb 2006

Matt (Molecular Genetics), graduated 2004

“Currently, I am taking the Medical Microbiology course at University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and fondly remembering Brenda Tessmann and how well she taught us the differential and selective media! It is really nice to have had the foundation at MMG, so that now in medical school I am able to have time to do other things (like global health and teaching kids about nutrition and hygiene) and not feel like I'm falling behind with reading. MMG experience taught me a lot about leadership, too, so it is helpful in leading problem based learning sessions and serving as a resource for fellow students.

Overall, there are many things that I learned in MMG that have been very useful in medical school. I also use a lot of microbiology in my work in the Critical Care Medicine division. I use the skills that Dr. Schaeffer taught us in cell culture class. When I first got hired almost two years ago (as a Clinical research coordinator in the Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine), my on-the-job training was literally 20 minutes. I was shown around the lab, a co-worker watched my sterile technique in the hood and knew that I could do it. I was trained so well in cell culture, that all the skills came right back, even in a new environment. There are many skills I learned as a MMG student, but these two: microbiology knowledge and cell culture techniques have been truly priceless! ” - Feb 2006

Anya (Microbiology), graduated 2004

“The Molecular Genetics program at UVM was an absolutely invaluable experience. The lessons I learned during my time in the department went well beyond the academic. I learned how to take on challenges with confidence, enthusiasm, and an open, scientific mind. The opportunities to explore the scientific world were numerous – as any research laboratory was enthusiastic to take on students. I worked in two labs on three projects and the experience was not only beneficial for job and medical school applications but also personally rewarding. The faculty was supportive and encouraging. They knew me as an individual and I felt they always catered my education to my particular strengths. Since my time at UVM, I spent a year in the Department of Radiation Oncology at Massachusetts General Hospital as a laboratory technician working on DNA double strand break repair research. I am now a second year medical student at New York Medical College and have felt very well prepared to face the rigors of medical school.” - Feb 2006

Jill (Molecular Genetics), graduated 2003

“Being part of the MMG department at UVM was one of the best decisions I made during my undergraduate career. The department really cared about their students: classes were small, the faculty were available and always willing to help, and there was much opportunity to be involved in independent research at the undergrad level. I felt incredibly prepared to enter any type of laboratory because I was confident that I understood the basic techniques and procedures. I am currently in a graduate program in genetic counseling (Brandeis University), and during our first year, we were required to take a molecular class as well as a lab. I was one of the most experienced people in the lab, and although the molecular class was challenging, I knew I had a strong backbone of knowledge acquired from the MMG curriculum to help me through it. I will receive my Master's in Science in May 2006, and then plan to start my career as a genetic counselor. The MMG department was a great starting point for my career in science.” - Feb 2006

Eleanor (Molecular Genetics), graduated 2003

“I transferred to UVM with the full intent of majoring in microbiology. The department and the program seemed very strong in both the quality of professor and extracurricular research available. Faculty members will strongly advocate for students to become involved in research, a core component of any science degree. While at UVM as an undergraduate I was able to observe a variety of research labs and worked in two; one dealing with the mosquito population of Aedes albopictus and the other working on the cellular receptors of Schizophyllum commune.

I started working as a lab technician in Neurology at the UVM medical school the day after graduation. Two years later (now) I am graduate student at UVM majoring in Secondary Education. By next year I will be a fully licensed high school teacher with my Masters in Education.” - Feb 2006

John (Molecular Genetics), graduated 2003

“UVM was my top choice for schools mainly because of the education it offered and it allowed me to stay in Vermont. MMG was great because of the small class sizes, hands on learning, and the many research and internship opportunities that it offered. The small class sizes allowed for more one on one interaction with the professors. I was more interested in the clinical/laboratory aspect of microbiology instead of the research side, so I ended up doing an internship at the Vermont Department of Health Laboratories. The internship I think was an extremely helpful tool that allowed me to explore my options of what I would like to do with my career. After graduation I took a position at an environmental microbiology laboratory in Williston, where I am now the lead microbiologist. I mainly do microbial identifications and validation studies for our clients. I really enjoy what I do and I think my education and internship experience at UVM gave me the experience I needed to do well and succeed with my job. I actually plan on staying with this job for as long as I can.” - Feb 2006

Sarah (Microbiology), graduated 2003

“My name is Elisabeth and I earned a B.S. in Microbiology from the University of Vermont in December 2003. As an undergraduate in the Microbiology and Molecular Genetics program I participated in bacterial pathogenesis research, spent a semester as an intern at the Vermont Department of Health Laboratory, and became a member of the honor society Alpha Zeta. During my final semester and following graduation I worked in the Hematology/Oncology clinic at Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington VT. There I was a medical assistant and phlebotomist coordinating with the clinical laboratory by drawing blood, taking vital signs, and assisting in outpatient surgeries. Following graduation I interviewed for a fellowship with the CDC, and for medical school at UVM. I was accepted to, and am currently attending, medical school at UVM. Before returning to school in the fall of 2005 I worked as a laboratory assistant at North Country Hospital in Newport VT, where I processed specimens for the clinical laboratory and did phlebotomy in all areas of the hospital from the ER to the nursery.

I was well prepared by my undergraduate studies at UVM for working with clinical, public health, and research laboratories. I was also well qualified for application to fellowships with the CDC. Currently I am most grateful for the level of preparation I received for medical school. During the first year I’ve excelled in the courses focused on molecular science, biochemistry, genetics, and infectious diseases. These courses are notorious for giving first year medical students the most trouble. Being lectured to in medical school by the same professors I had as an undergraduate gives me great confidence. I have also returned to text books from undergrad courses as resources during this year. This summer between years 1 and 2 of medical school, I’ll be an assistant camp director at a college preparatory camp for 12^th grade girls interested in medical careers. In this position I’ll be sharing my experiences and enthusiasm for studying microbiology and laboratory sciences.

Undergraduate studies in MMG at the University of Vermont offer many opportunities for participation, enjoyment, and preparation for the future. I’ll always be very glad to have a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology from the University of Vermont; it has served me well, and continues to open doors for my future.” - Feb 2006

Elisabeth (Microbiology), graduated 2003

“I'm a 2001 Molecular Genetics graduate and have found my education and training at UVM to be exceptional. Upon graduation I became a Research Technician at Children's Hospital Boston, a Harvard Medical School Affiliate, where I had not just technician duties, but my own project to work on, as my hands-on experience at UVM exposed me to so many experiments. In my junior year at UVM I was an undergraduate teaching assistant for the Introduction to Molecular Genetics laboratory, and this experience allowed me to lecture an introductory Biology Lab at Boston College. I am currently undertaking a PhD in Biochemistry at Boston University School of Medicine, and will be designing and instructing the undergraduate course "Biomedical Laboratory & Clinical Sciences" here at BUSM. I can't speak highly enough about my educational experience at UVM. Both at Children's Hospital and here in graduate school, my base knowledge of experiments and lab work exceeds that of my labmates - some of which come from Yale, UCLA and Harvard - and I fully attribute that to the exceptional hands-on education I received at UVM.” - Feb 2006

Cindy (Microbiology), graduated 2001

The MMG department offers superior experience and education over many other departments at UVM and other schools. Many of the investigators in MMG are among the top in their field and the program is small enough that you have the opportunity to pursue your choice of research; all faculty and staff are open to students and willing to take the time to teach. I started working in the John Burke lab as a sophomore doing research on RNA. I received a Master's Degree and graduated from UVM medical school in May of 2006. I am starting residency in internal medicine at Brown in Providence, RI and plan to pursue a fellowship in Infectious Disease with a focus on HIV research.” - March 2006

Phil (Microbiology/Molecular Genetics), graduated 2001

“Without a doubt, the Microbiology and Molecular Genetics (MMG) program at the University of Vermont (UVM) has been one of the greatest educational experiences of my life thus far. When I entered the College of Agriculture and Life Science in 1997 I had the clear focus to become a scientist. The courses offered by the MMG department and the lab tutorials attached to each course not only excelled beyond my expectations, but so did other courses offered through the College of Medicine. I seriously felt a withdrawal when I attended courses in my current graduate program (University of Rochester Medical Center) after participating in so many courses put forth by the MMG department. Several MMG courses prepared both your mind and laboratory skills that helped me in my undergraduate research studies with Dr. Sally Huber in the Department of Pathology. The courses that had the greatest impact on my life as a developing scientist included: Clinical Microbiology, Mammalian Cell Culture, Molecular Cloning, and Immunology. Brenda Tessmann and Stephanie Phelps put some serious “elbow grease” into the functioning of the microbiology and molecular genetics labs to ensure serious student participation and education. I have continued my studies in the field of cellular immunology at the University of Rochester, Rochester, New York. I'm currently finishing my Ph.D. in the lab of Tim Mosmann studying the hormonal regulation of anti-paternal CD8+ T cells in the lower female reproductive tract post-insemination and throughout allo-pregnancy. I anticipate Ph.D. degree completion in late summer to early autumn of 2006. My plan is to postdoc in industry somewhere in the Philadelphia, PA or Triangle Park, NC area. I seriously believe that for the amount of financial effort that I invested into the University of Vermont was equal if not greater than the education and experience that I received in return. Your experience in the department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics will follow you wherever that you may continue your education or job position you may peruse because the MMG prepares the undergraduate for the “real world” of research science. I highly recommend the MMG program to any student looking to develop his/her laboratory science skills to be a laboratory technician or research scientist.” - Feb 2006

Matt (Microbiology), graduated 2001