Orett

Hi, my name is Orett Burke, Jr. and I am a junior studying biology. I transferred to UMass Amherst from Dickinson College. I have worked on an FDA-funded project in Dr. Zoeller’s lab. My project focused on how bisphenol A affects the thyroid hormone during brain development. However, during my first semester here, I wanted to find an “REU” or internship that met my needs. Debra Phillis of the OURS office scrutinized several programs in order to find the program most suitable for me. She made an overwhelming process much easier through her persistence and dedication to helping me out. With her help, I was able to get accepted into the Institute for Cellular Engineering program at UMass Amherst. During the summer, I did research in Dr. Tew’s lab in the Conte research building for Polymer Science and Engineering. My project focused on designing polymeric protein mimics for siRNA delivery. At the end of the program, I was able to present my research to other members of the program and PhDs. I am very grateful to have met Ms. Phillis because she assisted me in finding an opportunity that created my foundation in medicine.