Student Spotlight: Melia Romine, Graduate Dean's Award Recipient

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Student Spotlight: Melia Rominee

Meet Melia Romine, a first-year doctoral student in the Biomedical Sciences Program, specializing in molecular biology and genetics, and recipient of the Graduate Dean's Award for the 2020-2021 academic year.

Please give a short overview of your research, scholarship or creative successes.

For my doctoral work, I am studying genetic markers for cardiovascular disease in minority populations using comparative genomics.

What made you choose to pursue your graduate degree here at Kent State? 

I chose to pursue my graduate degree at Kent State University because of the opportunities to collaborate with medical institutions such as NEOMED and the Cleveland Clinic for my research. 

What do you enjoy most about attending Kent State for graduate school? 

What I enjoy the most about attending Kent State graduate school is the teaching experience and being able to talk with undergraduates about my journey through academia. I was always told that your story can make a difference in someone else's life, which is something I live by. 

I want to encourage my community to get involved in genetic studies that can aid in preventative healthcare.

What are your future goals? 

Through my research, I would like to raise awareness of the health disparities in genetic testing. I want to encourage my community to get involved in genetic studies that can aid in preventative healthcare. Upon getting my degree, I want to become a clinical lab geneticist.

What did this award mean to you and how had it aided you?

Receiving the Graduate Dean's Award is an honor. It has encouraged me to continue making a difference in my community through my research. 

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

In my free time as of late, I have enjoyed roller skating! It was something I picked up during quarantine. Although I may not be the best, it has been a wonderful stress reliever. 

 

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