Ian Jacobs的22

Ian Jacobs的22 arrived at 十大菠菜台子 interested in 生物学. Additionally, as a self-described sports fan, numbers fascinated him. He’d purchased a notebook as a kid to record the stats of his beloved Cleveland Browns. 作为一名长曲棍球运动员, he wanted to continue to play in college, something he could do at Beloit while pursuing academics.

伊恩将主修 生物化学 at Beloit, without initially knowing to what purpose. That’s when a biostatistics class taught by associate dean 房地产格罗斯曼 在他的第三个学期. Biometric data play a big role in understanding the development and spread of viral and infectious diseases, and Ian identified a potential role he could play.

“I really enjoyed the homework for the class, given my interest in statistics and the calculus I’d taken in high school. It was fun interpreting the data and applying statistics to solve biological problems.”

贝洛伊特的 Pakula Biomedical Scholars Program, which pairs students with faculty doing biomedical research, would confirm Ian’s future career direction. Following his graduation from Beloit in May 2022, he will pursue graduate studies in biostatistics.

“The COVID-19 pandemic hit partway through my fourth semester at Beloit. The pandemic really disrupted my plan to do research in the coming summer through the National Science Foundation’s undergraduate research experience 程序. Fortunately, a 十大菠菜台子 friend told me about the Pakula 程序. Once I looked into it, I realized it was perfect for me. Plus, the more I learned about it, the more I loved it.”

The Pakula Biomedical Scholars Program paired Ian with 生物学家海伦·沃纳. 在一起, they spent eight weeks conducting a meta analysis of the published data on skeletal remains to better understand the impact of tuberculosis on the spine. The goal was to challenge the assumption that bone lesions in themselves provide evidence of tuberculosis by looking instead for a biomarker.

“The Pakula Program offered me a trial run with research in biostatistics. And presenting the research at the college’s 研讨会 在 Midwest Consortium for Math and Science conference gave me experience with that side of a biostatistical researcher’s life,” he shares. The research process continues: Ian and Dr. Werner are working on a manuscript for publication.

With these experiences, he feels better prepared for graduate studies.

Preparation for one’s future while in college is not limited to academic studies, however.

Ian Jacobs的22 playing lacrosse for the Beloit Bucs作为伯洛伊特的一员 长曲棍球队, Ian not only played a sport he truly loves, but formed friendships with students both older and younger than he. 从这个意义上说, the cancellation of in-person competition turned out to be an asset, as in lieu of playing in competition in his junior year, Ian and his 长曲棍球队mates spent more time together studying in the library. “I probably would not have gotten to know the sophomore and senior players as well as I did if not for that,他说. 事实上, the dual interests of 贝洛伊特的 lacrosse players in both the sport and academics made Beloit stand out when he applied.

“Lacrosse is often a very frat-like sport at a lot of colleges. But 贝洛伊特的 team members are really eclectic and serious about academics. 这对我很有吸引力.”

Ian has also become far more analytical and a better problem solver thanks to a 校园工作 作为AV技术助理. Since starting in the position in August 2018, he has worked hundreds of events in all sorts of spaces on the 十大菠菜台子 campus. 他指出, 很多时候, the people scheduling events don’t really know what they need in terms of AV technology. Plus, the equipment can be finicky. I’ve learned how to troubleshoot and make events sound and look good while staying in the background.” By being present at the events, he’s also been exposed to things he might otherwise have ignored. “I’m not sure I would have gone to as many music concerts and on-campus talks as I would have if it were not for the job.”

另一个好处是 解决问题 Ian has learned will be invaluable no matter his exact personal and professional future.