Alumni Updates: Class Years 2000-09
Archive
Below are archived updates for alumni graduating between 2000 and 2009. Visit the main Alumni Updates page for more updates received this year. Month and date update received shown in parenthesis.
Kerry Budd '00 (BS - Biology) I have been working for Merck & Co., Inc. for more than 7 years now as a Clinical Scientist, running late stage clinical studies in neuroscience. Most recently, results from a couple of studies I ran over the last few years have been publicized on a new drug, suvorexant, for insomnia. This has been quite exciting and there are plans to file this drug to the FDA. The biology background obtained at W&M and my Bio-stats course that I took there, has definitely helped me in my field (study design, protocol authoring, data/medical review, etc). (10/12)
Eric Chen '00 (BS - Biology) Eric earned his MD from UNC-Chapel Hill in 2007 and is now halfway through his Family Medicine residency in Hendersonville, NC. He and his wife, Lauren ('02), are expecting their first child in June. (2/09)
Gerson Florez '00 (BS - Biology) Current Orthopaedic Surgery Resident at Albert Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia. Married in June 2009. (9/09)
Don Fox '00 (BS - Biology) I have just started my own lab as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pharmacology & Cancer Biology at Duke University Medical Center. My lab will use a fruit fly model to understand how tissue repair is accomplished as well as the origins of genome instability. (11/11)
Melinda (Mindy) Mackereth Maris '00 (BS - Biology) I was named the founding director of Bradley University's new Pre-Professional Health Advisory Center. In addition to my directorship, I have a faculty appointment in the biology department at Bradley. In addition, I will retain my faculty appointment at the Johns Hopkins University. (10/11)
Andrea Seiffertt '00 (BS - Biology, Chemistry minor) After completing residency and working in private practice for a few years, this spring I started an alternative medical practice in Santa Barbara, CA. If anyone would like more info, my website is www.centerforsustainablemedicine.com. :) (10/12)
Alexandra White Stocks '00 (BS - Biology/Environmental Science) After a short stint as a seasonal ranger for the National Park Service, I went back to school to attain a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2007. I am currently working as a small animal veterinarian in Fairfax, VA. (12/09)
Jessica Bonzo '01 (BS - Biology) After graduating in 2001, I headed straight to UC San Diego for my Ph.D. in the Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program. I earned my degree in the Dept. of Pharmacology in Spring 2007. I am currently a PRAT fellow at the NCI/NIH using metabolomics to identify biomarkers of disease in mouse models. (4/10)
Amanda Kaye '01 (MA - Biology) I have just completed my PhD in Plant Pathology. My research explored the molecular genetics and population structure of Tomato spotted wilt virus on peanut in North Carolina and Virginia. (5/09)
Elizabeth Lowery '01 (BS - Biology) Went straight to grad school after graduation - University of Michigan School of Public Health. I graduated with a Master of Public Health with a focus in epidemiology in '03. While in grad school, I completed an internship with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, working on data from the 2001 anthrax attacks. I also interned in Alaska in injury prevention. I went on to complete two fellowships with CDC, one in tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS and the other in occupational asthma. I returned to Virginia in 2005 to work for the Virginia Department of Health, where I was a district epidemiologist conducting follow-up on reportable diseases, investigating outbreaks, and teaching the community about different facets of disease prevention. In 2008, I moved on again, to a position in crime and threat analysis with the Peace Corps. I hope to stay with this organization for several more years, then it's hopefully back to public health (maybe overseas this time, I do love moving...)! (12/09)
Stephanie Simon Appleman '01 (BS - Biology and Environmental Science) After graduation I moved to Arlington, VA to attend George Washington University School of Medicine. After 4 long years, I chose to pursue pediatrics for residency, and did this at INOVA Fairfax Hospital for Children, in Falls Church, VA. The hospital and training was wonderful, and I enjoyed living in the DC/Northern VA area. So many W&M alum in that area! To further prolong my training, I decided to pursue a fellowship in pediatric gastroenterology, and matched to Cincinnati Children's Hospital, which is where I currently am employed. It's been a long hard road, but only 1 1/2 years left until I am finally finished training and can practice medicine independently. Cincinnati has been great, but I'm looking forward to being closer to home again. Hopefully I'll end up back in Virginia again! (12/09)
Jennifer Stickley Newlin '01 (BS - Biology) I have to admit after graduating from W&M I was clueless about what I wanted do with my Biology major. I dreaded the question, "What are your plans after graduation?". It took some time to figure out my path. Several months after graduating I started working in Norfolk at the Center for Pediatric Research as a Research Assistant. I enjoyed this position; however, I wanted to have a clinical role in medicine. My first clinical experiences were working as a volunteer EMT with Virginia Beach EMS and then as a Medical Assistant at Georgetown University working with Adult Oncology patients. During this time I decided to pursue a career as a Physician Assistant and graduated from the Duke University PA Program in 2007. Since graduation I have been practicing in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and enjoy working directly with patients and their families. My husband Chris and I celebrated the birth of our first son, Davis Christopher September 30th, 2008. (9/09)
Amanda Pletcher Paull '01 (BS - Biology) Amanda is now residing in Williamsburg with her husband (Travis Paull, '99) and their 5-year old daughter. She is working part-time as an optometrist. Her family loves satisfying their appetites at Sweet Frog in their spare time. (10/12)
Anna Forsman '02 (BS - Biology) In summer 2007 I completed a M.S. at Illinois State University studying extra-pair paternity and indirect genetic benefits in socially monogamous house wrens. My M.S. work was published in the Journal of Evolutionary Biology (21, 2008) and Molecular Ecology (17, 2008; cover image). In fall 2008 I started working on my Ph.D. in the Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology at Cornell University. For my dissertation I am investigating immune-based maternal effects in tree swallows in relation to microbial diversity across their breeding range. (2/09)
Elizabeth Garza '02 (BS - Biology & International Relations) After graduating from W&M in 2002 with a BS in Biology & International Relations, I worked in the private sector for 5 years at Science Applications International Corporation focusing on emergency preparedness / infectious disease projects. I also deployed with the White House to Iraq in 2003-2004 to work on water and sanitation projects. I then joined the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and in that capacity have been to Afghanistan in 2008 as part of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Afghanistan Health Initiative that focuses on maternal and child health. I also deployed as a public health officer with the USS Boxer on a two month humanitarian mission to Central & South America in 2008. Currently I work at the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. (12/09)
Marisa Guarinello '02 (BS - Biology and Environmental Science) I am currently working as a research assistant at the Chesapeake Biological Lab. My lab does work on Arctic ecology focusing on benthic and ecosystem dynamics. I have been to the Bering and Chukchi Seas on two cruises this year and expect the same in 2010. It is fascinating to travel to these places and observe sea-ice habitats in person. (12/09)
David Reif '02 (BS - Biology) I recently received some good news about a Presidential Early Career Award (PECASE). Here is the press release from the White House. I got to meet the President at the White House, and because this was the first time an EPA scientist has won (it's mostly academic researchers), I also got to meet the Agency science leadership. (11/11)
Mary Shockley Rogalski '02 (B.S. - Biology, Environmental Science) After graduating in 2002, I worked for three years in Washington, DC at the National Council for Science and the Environment helping out with science policy reporting and conference planning. I then spent a year and a half as a park naturalist in Arlington, VA developing skills in natural history, environmental education and natural resource management. In 2007 I returned to academia to pursue a master's of Environmental Science at the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. After graduating last May I continued at Yale F&ES to pursue a doctorate, focusing on ecological and evolutionary responses to anthropogenic environmental change in aquatic systems. (12/09)
Theresa Barberi '03 (BS - Biology) Went on to intern at National Institute of Health in Baltimore for one year, then began graduate school at Duke University, where I am currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Molecular Cancer Biology. (9/09)
David Anderson '03 (BS - Biology) Currently a resident in general surgery at New York Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell. I'm now doing two years of basic science research as a research fellow at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center before returning to my clinical duties. (12/09)
Stephanie Griese '03 (BS, BA - Biology, English) After finishing my pediatrics residency, I worked for a year as a pediatric emergency physician in the Johns Hopkins Pediatric Emergency Department. I simultaneously earned my Master of Public Health degree, with an emphasis on Health in Crisis and Humanitarian Assistance. I'm now working at the CDC as an Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer, with an assignment as the North Carolina field officer. (10/11)
Jason Keagy '03 (BS - Biology) I am currently a postdoctoral research associate (since 11/10) at Michigan State University studying sexual selection and speciation in stickleback fish. In addition, I am doing research on the evolution of cognition in these same fish. (10/12)
--Original Dec 2010 update from Jason Keagy '03 (BS - Biology) I recently completed my doctoral work at the University of Maryland, College Park. (12/10)
Jessica Wallace Ng '03 and '05 (BS, MS - Biology) After finishing my Masters at W&M, I worked in Pharmacology at UVA, then in marine toxicology for the EPA in Gulf Breeze, FL, where the lab facility is on an island off Pensacola Beach! Gorgeous. (10/12)
Megan Selheim '04 (BS - Biology) I'm currently pursuing an MFA in Science and Natural History Filmmaking at Montana State University. If all goes well, I should graduate December of 2010. (12/09)
Sharyn Lincoln '04 (BS, BA - Biology, Religion) I received an M.S. in Genetic Counseling from Brandeis University in Waltham, MA and am currently working as a Certified Genetic Counselor at Children's Hospital Boston. I see children and families in our Genetics Program and Fragile X Program for evaluations and counseling for testing, test results, diagnoses, and recurrence risks. (2/09)
Stephanie Chambers '05 (BS - Biology) Currently practicing as a General Dentist at the Virginia Commonwealth University's Advanced Education General Dentistry Residency Program (9/09)
Burton Fuller '06 (BS/BA - Biology and Finance) After graduating in 2006, I entered into a career in hospital supply chain consulting and currently work for Navigant consulting as a managing consultant. I am based in NYC but travel full time across the US to hospitals we have as clients. I work as a clinical specialist on projects designed to increase collaboration between physician and hospital executive teams. We encourage and demonstrate the benefits of making informed purchasing decisions in an effort to reduce hospital supply costs while ensuring that physicians maintain access to the technology needed to provide patient care. Aside from understanding the financial impact to the hospital, it requires an appreciation on how the clinical products function and their general application. I can credit the independent study I had with Dr. Heideman (which focused on the variety of diseases and treatments of the spine) as providing me with the skillset I needed to approach an understanding of each class of "medical devices" and jump-starting my career in healthcare consulting (my initial "specialty" was Spinal Implants). Many thanks to Dr. Heideman and the WM Biology Department. (9/10)
Matt Whalen '06 (BS - Biology and Anthropology) I just took a quick look through the newest issue of Niche and clicked on the link for the new Marine Science Minor at W&M. The picture featured at the top was also in an issue of Ideation and features two W&M alums who majored in Biology (far right, Brian Arnold '06; 2nd from right, Matt Whalen '06). I am now a Master's Student in the Biological Sciences Department at VIMS and Brian is a PhD student in the department of Fisheries and Wildlife Science at Oregon State University. I know I would have been pursued the Marine Science minor, and I'm sure Brian would have, too! (4/10)
Rachel Biondolillo '07, '08 (BS, MA - Biology, Secondary Education) While continuing my teaching career at the middle school level, I am spending my summers at Pacific Northwest NationalLaboratory in the Department of Energy's Academies Creating Teacher Scientists research internship program. I am working with chemical engineers on an original infrared optics project. I presented the first phase of my internship at the National Science Teachers Association Conference in Philadelphia in March. A highlight of the experience was getting to meet Bill Nye the Science Guy. (4/10)
Cynthia Johnson '07 (BS - Biology and Marketing) Now in the 2nd year of a doctor of veterinary medicine program at Virginia Tech. Hired as the marketing director of the National Veterinary Business Management Association in July of 2008. Received the Dr. Bob Brown Award for Entrepreneurship in Fall 2008. Working as student representative for Merial, an animal health pharmaceutical company. Recently published as a second author on the paper "Variation in nocturnality and circadian activity rhythms between photoresponsive F344 and nonphotoresponsive Sprague Dawley rats" with Cheryl D Seroka (also a W&M Alumn) and W&M Professor Dr. Paul D Heideman (02/09)
Graduated in 2011 from the Virginia Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. Working as a small animal veterinarian in Ashburn, Virginia. Featured in a veterinary business article on technology tools that was the cover story of September 2011's Veterinary Economics. (11/11)
Courtney Leisner '07 (BS - Biology and Environmental Science) I recently graduated with my MS in Botany from Washington State University. I am now at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign beginning my PhD in plant biology. I'm doing research related to climate change, plant physiology and genetics. (9/09)
Katie McGuire '07 (BS - Biology) I am currently a second year student in the Microbiology and Immunology PhD program at Loyola University of Chicago. I am studying the innate immune response to adenovirus infection. (12/09)
Jason Schoener '07 (BS - Biology) I am currently on a 15 month tour with the Air Force at Incirlik Air Base in Turkey. I work at the 39th Medical Clinic as a dentist and see mainly active duty Air Force members. I graduated from VCU School of Dentistry in 2011 and Advanced Degree in General Dentistry (AEGD) Residency at Travis AFB, California in 2012. I hope everyone is doing well back in Virginia or the States. (10/12)
-- Original September 2009 update for Jason Schoener '07 (BS - Biology, Kinesiology) I am still in Dental School at VCU MCV campus and will graduate in 2011. (9/09)
Jean Still '07 (BS - Biology, Environmental Science) I completed my Masters of Environmental Management from Duke University in May 2009. I now reside in Seattle, WA working as a Wetland and Avian Biologist for Ecology and Environment, Inc. I mainly work on the ecological side of wind energy projects in Montana and the Pacific Northwest. (12/09)
Matthew Wolak '07 (BS - Biology and Environmental Science) I am currently in my second year of a PhD program in Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology at the University of California-Riverside. I will be focusing my dissertation on the evolutionary genetics of sexual dimorphism in populations of water striders that vary in their stream ecology. I also received an NSF Graduate Research Fellowship to pursue this work. (2/09)
Kevin Roelofs '08 (BS - Biology) I am a second year graduate student in Molecular Biology at the University of Maryland. ... and I'm finally getting publishable data! (4/10)
Loni Tang '08 (BS - Biology) I completed my Master's of Biomedical Science at Eastern Virginia Medical School in May 2009 and am now currently a first-year medical student at EVMS with an interest in geriatrics or gastroenterology. (12/09)
Erica Smith '08 (BS - Biology) In May 2010, I earned my Master of Public Health degree, with an Epidemiology concentration, from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond. I was fortunate enough to be selected for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)/Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE) Applied Epidemiology Fellowship Program, a two-year national training fellowship placing fellows at select state and large local health departments to work and learn under the guidance of experienced mentors. I started work in August at the Pennsylvania Department of Health (Harrisburg, PA) in the Division of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, where I hope to focus on foodborne outbreak investigation, vaccine-preventable diseases, and refugee health issues. I'm very excited about this new opportunity to work, learn, and transform my training in public health, epidemiology, and infectious disease biology into applied public health practice. (9/10)
Heather Hillard '09 (BS - Biology) I am currently working on my Master's in marine biology at California State University, Northridge. I am specifically studying the impacts of ocean acidification on coral-algal interactions. Over the summer I completed my first field season at the Richard B. Gump Research Station on Moorea, French Polynesia. I conducted a laboratory and field experiment to explore the effects of a fleshy macroalgal species, Sargassum pacificum, on the calcification of juvenile corals in elevated CO2 conditions. Currently, I am living at the Wrigley Institute of Environmental Science on Catalina Island where I will conduct the same laboratory experiment with temperate species. (10/12)
--October 2011 Update for Heather Hillard '09 (BS - Biology) This fall, I began a Master's in Marine Biology at California State University, Northridge. I will be traveling to Moorea, French Polynesia during the winter and summer months to study the effects of ocean acidification on coral reefs. (10/11)
--December 2009 Update Heather Hillard '09 (BS - Biology) I was just accepted as a year-round intern through the Hawaii Youth Conservation Corps, an AmeriCorps program. I am specifically working on the University of Hawaii Sea Grant's Reef Watch Waikiki project. I will help develop community-based, marine education and coastal monitoring programs. In addition, I will be assiting Reef Watch Waikiki with coastal restoration and beach nourishment projects. (12/09)
Melissa Mefford '09 (BS - Biology) This spring I completed a PhD in Genetics from The University of Chicago, where my dissertation was entitled "snRNA structure and dynamics during the catalytic phase of pre-mRNA splicing". I will be starting a post-doc at The Johns Hopkins University this fall. While I am excited to be returning to the east coast, I will miss my lunch dates with fellow W&M alumnus and molecular biologist Dr. Kara Foshay, who is currently doing her post-doc at The University of Chicago. (6/09)
Christopher Ours '09 (BS - Biology and Philosophy) Currently attending New York Medical College. (9/09)
