TAMUCC

TAMUCC Scholar: A Shining Example for Others

Posted by on Sunday, July 10, 2011 22:11 - 0 Comments


As a result of her potentially life-saving research at the Island University, Amanda Whitmill has not only presented on the “Effects Ionized Plasma on Acute Monocytic Leukemia Cells” at New York’s Ithaca College, University of California at Berkeley and other universities, but her academic journey has opened up new possibilities. Whitmill, a graduate of the McNair Scholars Program and a Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation Research Fellow (LSAMP), had only traveled within Texas prior to beginning her University studies. In an effort to wipe out cancer, her specialized work has involved treating leukemia cells in a non-destructive manner with ionized plasma. Whitmill, who has conducted research under Dr. Lillian Waldbeser and Dr. Magesh Thiyagarajan, is the first in her family to earn a college degree. In spring 2011, Whitmill received her Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences from the University and was accepted this fall into the Ph.D. Program in Cell and Molecular Biology at the University of North Texas Health Science Center.

Through the McNair Scholars Program, Whitmill increased her confidence, sharpened her presentation delivery and networking skills and fulfilled the requirements needed to enter the graduate school of her choice. Her long-term goal is to teach at the university level, but through her time here, she has already gained invaluable experience. She provided Principles of Microbiology and Biology 1406 students with peer-assisted study sessions and exam and quiz reviews as supplemental instruction (SI) leader. From 2008-2011, she also served as a tutor/mentor for the CCISD’s 21st Century LLC assisting students with homework and leading educational, science related activities for groups of children in grades sixth through 12 at area middle and high schools. She has also been active with volunteer projects ranging from planning arts and crafts activities for children at the Ronald McDonald House to teaching kids at the Boys and Girls Club about the importance of wearing sunscreen. In addition, she served as historian for the Association of Women in Science and was a member of the Alpha Epsilon Delta Pre-Professional Honor Society. In her photo, Whitmill holds a National Science Foundation LSAMP/BPC Research Fellowship Award.

-Article originally posted on June 11, 2011 on the Texas A&M University Corpus Christi website.