- Name:
- Anne Turner
- Major:
- Chemistry
- Minor:
- Criminal Justice
- Emphasis
- Criminalistics/DNA track
- Year:
- Senior
- Home:
- Verona, WI
UWP was one of the few schools in Wisconsin that offered a criminalistics program, which was an area I wanted to pursue. I think the best thing about the chemistry program at UWP is the small class sizes in both lecture and lab classes. I think it is especially important to have one-on-one time with your professors in lab to get the hands-on experience, which is so important in a lab science.
I struggled a lot with homesickness as a freshman, but I stuck with it because I really thought it was important to get away from home and be independent. I think getting involved is very important, as is taking advantage of all the opportunities to meet people in the residence halls. I also think it is very important to have at least one person to help you through the rough times that you know you can count on. For me, it made all the difference.
This past summer, I was able to do an internship at the Wisconsin State Crime Lab in Madison, WI. I worked in the DNA lab and gained valuable experience in the forensic science field as well as just general lab experience. I’ve also been doing undergraduate research with Dr. Chanaka Mendis in the area of biochemistry which has given me a lot of experience in the lab as well. I think these two experiences have helped me in my academic field as much as my classes. They have taught me to think independently and look for ways to solve problems without a professor or teacher telling me exactly what to do. I’ve been able to figure things out for myself that I never would have without these experiences.
My most memorable moment was going to San Francisco, CA, with other undergraduate researchers to present our research at the Experimental Biology 2006 conference. It was a great capstone to a year’s worth of hard work in the lab, and it was also a great way to meet new people in the areas of biochemistry and molecular biology. I learned a lot about presenting my research to other people, which helped me understand my own research so much better. Most importantly, it was a lot of fun!