Students in the Spotlight: Northern Kentucky University, Greater Cincinnati Region

Oliver Diaz

Graduating Year: 2023

Education: Environmental Studies minor + BA, Biological Sciences

Career: Current Master of Biology Student at Vrije Universiteit in Brussels

"In a nutshell, this REU experience has given me insight into what to expect in graduate school and that any research relying on ecological field work will have inevitable hiccups and how to best be able to respond to them."

Oliver took advantage of many opportunities as an undergraduate at NKU, including study abroad! Oliver conducted research in Costa Rica through the Tropical Ecology course offered by Biology. He also worked as an undergraduate research student at NKU studying the invasive European wall lizard. Oliver obtained a prestigious Research Experience for Undergrads position at Eastern Kentucky University to study the eastern copperhead snake for an entire summer. While at NKU, Oliver also was an active member and leader in the student organization, ECOS – Ecologically Concerned Organization of Students.

Justin Gibson

Graduating Year: 2015

Education: B.S. Biological Sciences, Cellular/Molecular/Genetics Track 

Career: Research Scientist 

"My time at NKU served as a critical inflection point on the path of my career trajectory. In particular, the opportunity to get involved in undergraduate research early and maintain this involvement throughout my tenure at NKU. It was during this time that I first started developing my critical thinking skills and understanding the role that research plays in our daily lives and ways that it can be used to help others.  What they do: principal scientific research at Genentech in South San Francisco, CA ."

Necessary Job Skills: Scientific thinking, teamwork, creative problem solving.

Career Path: Undergraduate researcher while at NKU, obtained PhD in biomedical sciences, now principal scientific researcher.

Sydney Gregory

Graduating Year: 2021

Education: Environmental Studies minor + BFA, Visual Communications and Design

Career: Visual Communication Designer at The Think Shop

"In this role, I became more confident in my team building and event organization skills as we planned for the possible and unpredictable."

Sydney combined her passion for the environment with her visual communication skills while interning at the NKY Chapter of Kentuckians for the Commonwealth. After designing many products during her internship and graduating NKU, she was a design intern with The Think Shop, which has led to her current full-time position.

Sarah Goodrich

Graduating Year: 2019

Education: Environmental Studies minor + BS, Biological Sciences

Career: Aquatic Toxicologist, current Ph.D. student at University of Cincinnati

Sarah took advantage of many opportunities while at NKU as an employee in the Chemistry Stock Room, a research student studying white-nose fungus in bats and she worked on another research project focused on reforestation. Sarah was also a member of the NKU pep band. Since graduating, she has completed an MA in Geography at UC, while working as a Pathways Physical Scientist at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Sarah is current studying harmful algal blooms at multiple scales.

Michelle Griesinger

Graduating Year: 2013

Education: BS Biological Sciences, Ecology/Evolution/Organismal Track

Career: Conservation Biologist

“What I found to be special at NKU is the small class size, which allowed for individualized attention from professors and peers. The lab work and field trips enabled me to get hands on and utilized different science techniques within the biology field as a whole which helped me hone in on the career path that I wanted to take. I have huge respect for the instructors at NKU. They truly want the best for their students and to see their students succeed. I felt that way as a student and still feel that way throughout my professional career.”

What they do: Senior keeper at World of the Insects at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden

Necessary job skills: Animal handling, scientific thinking, teamwork

Career path: Volunteer at the zoo, progressed to keeper and senior keeper

Enrica Jackson

Graduating Year: 2020

Education: Environmental Studies minor + BA, English and Creative Writing

Career: English teacher with Miami-Dade County Public Schools

Enrica took advantage of the many opportunities the ENV Program has to offer while she was at NKU. She completed an internship focused on the Zero Waste Way Program with Renaissance Covington, a local non-profit organization. Enrica was also a student scholar with the Environmental Stewardship Institute where she worked with a local residents to create a greenspace. After NKU, Enrica served with Teach for America before becoming an English teacher in Miami.

Ariel Porter

Graduating Year: 2019

Education: BS Biological Sciences, Cellular/Molecular/Genetics Track

Career: Physician

“I am in my fourth year of medical school at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine - Northern Kentucky University campus. NKU provided me with unique opportunities that helped to lead me to where I am today. I worked at NKU as a biology lab preparation assistant and tutor. I researched at NKU, studied abroad, and was a peer mentor and teaching assistant for multiple classes. I was able to grow as a person and future professional. The staff and faculty go above and beyond to help students succeed; they care about our successes and want to see students reach their potential goals.”

What they do: Currently in medical school at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine - Northern Kentucky University campus

Necessary job skills: Critical thinking, communication, empathy

Katie Sawvell

Graduating Year: 2019

Education: Biological Sciences (Cellular, Molecular, Genetics track), Minor in Neuroscience

“The undergraduate research experience I gained at NKU has been invaluable to me as I applied for jobs and sought out new opportunities after graduation. I felt more prepared entering the workforce and potential employers were eager to hear about my diverse research experiences. In addition, being able to explore my interest in Neuroscience through a minor at NKU has helped me better understand the work I have done over the past four years and shape a career path which I look forward to following.”

Career Path: After studying abroad and doing research at the University of Rennes in France, Katie worked for two years in the Brain Tumor Center at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital as a Research Assistant II. In 2021, she moved into clinical research as a Clinical Research Coordinator II and was promoted to a CRC III after one year working on a project to understand the health outcomes of environmental exposures. She is currently working on a master’s degree in Clinical and Translational Research from the University of Cincinnati with a focus on multi-disciplinary study design.

Sara Steffen

Graduating Year: 2021

Education: B.S. in Neuroscience, Psychology minor, Spanish minor

“My time in the NKU Neuroscience Program laid the ground work I needed to be successful in my career. I was able to foster my fascination with the nervous system and develop research skills through my role as a student researcher. It is certainly exciting to have a front row seat to the current developments in the world of clinical research.”

Career Path: Sara Steffen is a Project Coordinator in the Neuroscience, Infectious Disease and Ophthalmology program at Medpace. "Medpace is always growing! It’s an exciting company to work for. I enjoy being a part of the clinical trial teams working to develop drugs and technologies that can change lives.”

Impact of NKU: Sara was the Outstanding Neuroscience Graduate who worked with Dr. Mark Bardgett as an undergraduate research assistant.

Rayah Stein

Graduating Year: 2022

Education:BS Biological Sciences, General Biology, Pre-Dentistry

Career: Dentist

“As a student at NKU I had so many opportunities, I was the chair of the Health Professions Club, a STEM Peer mentor, Supplemental Instructor and president of the Pre-Dental Committee. I also did Eastern bluebird research with Dr. Walters and loved seeing the nestlings hatch and the mother birds take care of their young.”

What they do: Currently in Dental School at the University of Louisville

Necessary job skills: Critical thinking, manual dexterity, communication

Tanner Yess

Graduating Year: 2009

Education: B.S. in Environmental Science & Biology minor

Career: Executive Director of Groundwork Ohio River Valley

“College is a lot. My experience was an adventure with ups and downs leading to a destination unknown. I was able to embrace that journey because of the support and diversity of experiences offered through NKU's ENV Program. Gliding through Costa Rica's cloud forest, electroshocking fish and long days restoring local streams with the Center for Environmental Restoration were all part of my education and network building. Years later, I still lean on the connections, both people and nature, made through the ENV Program. Now, as the Executive Director of Groundwork Ohio River Valley, my time at NKU has shaped the environmental justice work we do around youth green workforce, climate resilience and citizen science. Enjoy the ride, it goes by fast!” 

After NKU, Tanner volunteered in the Peace Corps and then went on to earn a Master’s degree in Urban, Community & Regional Planning. He then worked with the Regional Trails Alliance before Groundwork. In 2018, Tanner was the recipient of the Murie Center Rising Leader Award.