Claire Mueller '23

Major: Biology

Minor: French

What are you most excited about for your Next Port?

This post-baccalaureate program will help me apply for and get into a biomedical graduate school. I'm excited to experience what it's like doing full time research this year along with my peers. I'm also excited to be going to a big school and meeting new people in a new place!    

What piece of advice would you give to yourself as a first-year student?

Go out of your comfort zone and be open to trying new things! During my junior and senior years, I've gotten to know so many people through joining different communities across campus, and I've made friendships that I could never have made if I hadn't put myself out there. Your undergraduate years are the perfect time to get to know yourself and build community with others, so go out there and have fun (while also making sure to study)!

Was there a faculty or staff member, or department that specially helped you land your Next Port?

I am grateful to the biology department for helping to shape me into the biomedical student that I am today, and I am especially thankful for Dr. Dyer, my research mentor who I've worked with since my sophomore year. She has been so supportive of me throughout all my endeavors and has helped me to get to my Next Port. Dr. Dyer's passion, dedication, and care for others inspires me to continue doing research and follow my passions, and one day help others as she has helped me. I will miss being in her lab and working with my lab members, who have also helped me get to where I am today.