Undergraduate Institution: University of California, Davis
Fellowships: George A. and Marjorie H. Anderson, National Science Foundation (NSF)
Current Position: Post Doctoral Fellow- University of California, Davis

I almost didn’t apply to the Watson School; the history of Cold Spring Harbor Lab—McClintock, Hershey, Delbrück, etc.—was intimidating. Yet, after a year now as a student, I realize this reputation is what drives the intensity of the science here. Expectations are high from the beginning. The classes are demanding, the interaction with faculty exceptional, and the constructive criticism for improvement constant. The Lab’s meetings, seminars, and diverse research continually challenge the way you think about biology and multi-disciplinary collaborations between labs are common. The research itself is of high-caliber and vigorous.

The Watson School’s best qualities, though, are anything but intimidating. Classes are small (six to ten students) and most students live together their first year. Friendships form fast and getting to know your classmates is rewarding. The Lab, too, is small and the familiarity with everyone that works here makes Cold Spring Harbor—surprisingly—one of the most unimposing places you’ll ever know.