Student Advisory Council Member, Bea Schleupner '22, reflects on how Bass Connections has influenced and shaped her academic career.
Degree
BS in Biology '22
My Bass Connections team is integral to my development at Duke. When I entered Penn Pavilion for the Bass Connections Fair in January 2019, I had no idea I was going to learn about a research project that would forever change my Duke experience. As a first year, I was not entirely sure what my research interests were, but I knew I enjoyed the health and environmental sciences. I was immediately fascinated by the Bioremediation of Plastic Pollution team because it integrates my two major research interests. After speaking with my soon-to-be PI, Dr. Somarelli, and applying to the project team, I learned that I was accepted to work that summer. I was extremely excited to start participating in research on campus. Ever since I started research the summer after my first year, I haven’t looked back.
The interdisciplinary nature of the project is wonderful because it has allowed me to pursue these passions, and I have grown exponentially throughout my experience with the team. My time with the group helped me understand my love for biology, but my team and my research experiences have also helped me clarify my academic and potential career goals upon graduation. I have learned countless professional skills that will take me far past my time at Duke. Most of all, I have worked with an incredible team and solved complex, but relevant problems in our world. It’s safe to say that my Bass Connections research experience is the most important and meaningful program I have been a part of at Duke.