We congratulate the following students who graduated in 2023 with majors in BMB. We are proud of all you have accomplished here at Gettysburg College and all you will accomplish in the future.
Class of 2023
Due to the Pandemic, the Class of 2023 had an especially challenging college experience. In March 2020, just months after they arrived in for their first year as Gettysburg College students, the campus closed with some students returning for the 2020 fall semester and others attending classes remotely. Circumstances continued to evolve throughout their sophomore year, finally settling to allow the Class of 2023 a somewhat normal Junior and Senior years.
In spite of COVID disruptions, 60% of the 2023 graduating class participated in research. The Office of Institutional Analysis reports that this is the highest rate of students participating in research since they began tracking this statistic. BMB majors in the 2023 graduating class participated in research at a much higher rate with 100% reporting that they worked on research projects.
We congratulate the following students who graduated in 2023 with majors in BMB. We are proud of all you have accomplished here at Gettysburg College and all you will accomplish in the future.
Rebecca Blaszczyk graduated summa cum laude with a BMB major (BS) with departmental honors. The Chemistry Department awarded her the 2023 General Chemistry Lab Assistant Award. In addition to her studies, Rebecca played on the women’s basketball team and worked as a TA for the Chemistry Department and off-campus as a Certified Nurse Aide at Transitions Healthcare in Gettysburg. She was on the Dean’s Honor Roll for several semesters, was a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Pi Mu Epsilon Mathematics Honor Society. She was active in Prof. Delesalle’s lab, working on genome annotation research of a Mycobacteriophage Spring 2020 and in Summer 2021, participated in Dr. Fong’s lab, working on pharmacological characterization of a serotonin receptor in bivalve mollusks. After graduation, Rebecca plans to continue as a Certified Nurse Aide or other related employment while applying to medical schools for the 2025 academic year. She hopes to earn an MD with the goal of working in general or family medicine.
Micaylah Bowers graduated with a BMB major (BS). The Chemistry Department awarded her the 2023 J.B. Zinn Research Award. In her senior year, Micaylah served as President of the Sceptical Chymists. She was active in Prof. Buettner’s Lab, participating in X-SIG summer research for three summers. In addition to her studies, Micaylah worked as a TA for the Chemistry Department. Micaylah hopes to start graduate school this fall at Temple University
Taylor Engle graduated with a BMB major (BS). In addition to her studies, Taylor volunteered with Campus Kitchen, worked briefly in the Kline Theater costume shop and was a research assistant with Dr. Hiraizumi. In Fall 2021, Taylor spent a semester abroad in England. After graduation, Taylor planned to take a gap year before entering a Genetic Counseling Master’s Program. She hopes to become a certified prenatal genetic counselor.
Maura Farinelli graduated summa cum laude in Fall 2022 with a BMB major (BS) with departmental honors. In addition to her studies, Maura played on the field hockey team, served as a PLA for the Chemistry and Biology Departments. She was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, received Dean’s High Honors and received a NFHCA Scholar of Distinction Award. At the time of Maura’s graduation, she was already working as a clinical research coordinator at a pediatric practice and hoped to start medical school in Fall 2024.
Emily Howe graduated summa cum laude with a BMB major (BS) with departmental honors and a minor in Spanish. She was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. She received the 2023 BMB Award, the 2021 Miguel Cervantes Award in Spanish and the 2022 Physical Chemistry Award. She was named to the Dean’s List in all eligible semester. In addition to her studies, she was the music director for Lost Keys A Cappella, served as Vice-President of Sceptical Chymists, volunteered as a BOMBS (Brilliant and Outstanding Mentors of BMB Students) mentor. She also taught English as a Second Language with the Center for Public Service and volunteered with Campus Kitchen, El Centro and eRace. Emily worked on-campus as a TA for General Chemistry classes and as a student employee in the Title IX Office. She worked off-campus as an AEMT with both the Littlestown Fire & EMS and Susquehanna Township EMS. She worked with Professor Funk as a student researcher and participated in an REU at Alabama State University. She attended the Spring ACS Conference in 2022 and 2023. After graduation, Emily planned to take a gap year before applying to medical school. During her gap year, Emily will be working full-time as an AEMT with the Littlestown Fire & EMS and continuing her work with the Susquehanna Township EMS. She hopes to pursue a career in Emergency Medicine, with the goal of working with rural, Spanish-speaking populations in the Southeastern US.
Gwenevere Kucera graduated in Fall 2022 with a BMB major (BS). She was active in the Frey Lab and Professor Andresen’s Biophysics Lab. In addition to her studies, Gwenevere worked as a TA for General Chemistry classes, participated in the Bullets Marching Band and served on the Honor Commission. After graduation, Gwenevere hopes to work with computers, eventually working into a marketable niche at the intersection of experiment reports and computational models in biophysics.
Delaney McCormick graduated with a BMB major (BS). In addition to her studies, Delaney played with the Bullets Marching Band for 4 years, serving one year as a section leader. She worked for the Chemistry Department as a TA and Lab Prep Assistant. She was active in Professor Thompson’s lab. In Spring 2022, Delaney spent a semester abroad in Denmark. After graduation, Delaney planned to work in industry for a few years before pursuing a master’s degree in toxicology with the goal of working in a forensics lab.
Tommy Megna graduated cum laude with a BMB major (BS), earning departmental honors. The Chemistry Department awarded him the 2023 ACS Division of Inorganic Chemistry Undergraduate Award and the 2023 ACS Division of Organic Chemistry Outstanding Senior Award. Tommy was on the Dean’s List or Commendation List several times. He was active in Professor Funk’s research lab. In addition to his studies, Tommy was on the College football team receiving All-Sportsmanship and All-District Academic Awards. He was a member off the National Football Foundation Hampshire Honor Society. He worked as a TA for the Chemistry Department. After graduation, Tommy started working as a chemist for Bedoukian Research in Danbury, CT
Lan Nguyen graduated cum laude with a BMB major (BS), serving as the BMB Banner Carrier. She was active in Professor Powell’s lab and received a Presidential Scholarship and the 2022 Undergraduate Student Poster First Place Award from the Society for Biomaterial/ Material Science & Technology. She was on the Dean’s List or Commendation list several times. In the summer of 2022, Lan worked in a research lab at the Penn State College of Medicine. In addition to her studies, Lan served as the Vice President of the Vietnamese Student Organization. She worked as a TA for the Biology and Chemistry Departments and as part of the Biology Prep Crew. She also worked in the International Student Advising Office and as a barista in the Commons. Lan is currently studying biomedical science at the University of Florida College of Medicine.
Jess Tran graduated inFall 2022 with a BMB major (BS). She was a research assistant in Professor Hiraizumi’s lab. In addition to her studies, Jess served as the Public Relations and Event Chair for the Vietnamese Students Association and was a member of the International Club. She also worked Dining Services. After graduation, Jess began workingas a Research Technician at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute of Harvard in Boston, MA
Chemistry Department
See the 2023 Chemistry Department Alumni Newsletter for news about the 2023 Chemistry graduating class.
