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Michela Sanger stands at the laboratory sink washing petri dishes and flasks. Around her eye, one can still see the slight circular indentation where her microscope’s eyepiece has rested. Sanger hopes to get out of the lab early because she has a date. This wasn’t a regular date, however. It was an assignment.
Sanger was taking a class titled Multicultural Learning to fulfill one of her honors requirements. Taught by University Honors director Ryan Goei, the course was meant to get students talking about diversity in a constructive way. One way Dr. Goei did this was by pairing up students and assigning them to simply hang out. He called these assignments “dates.”
In one instance, Sanger was set up with a classmate who said she had never used the bus system at UMD. “We decided to take the bus to visit cool places around town, and she learned all about the bus system in the process,” said Sanger.
Why Honors
A quality education was something Sanger and her family always valued. So when she began attending UMD, Sanger wanted to make the most of it. One of the ways she did this was by joining not one, but two honors programs: University Honors and Biochemistry Honors.
University Honors, UMD’s campus-wide honors program, came first. Sanger was accepted into the program during her application process and moved into a dorm on the honors floor of Ianni Hall. “It was great to have this built-in community right from the start,” said Sanger. Trivia Nights, pizza orders, and midnight discussions are all part of what makes it so meaningful. She says, “There’s a special bond.” She went on to be the floor’s Resident Advisor her sophomore and junior years.
In addition to Multicultural Learning, Sanger has taken three other classes through University Honors. “I really like that they are unique, small discussion classes. The professors go in-depth on the material and try to broaden your perspective,” said Sanger.
Biochemistry Honors brings students together who have a more narrow focus. “The program aims to push students towards research, and their goal is to help you get there.” Sanger was able to make her research work for University Honors and Biochemistry Honors in tandem.
For the past few semesters, Sanger has been working with biology professor John Dalton on a research project regarding antibiotic resistance which has applications in hospitals, communities, and elsewhere. “For example, people who are put on six-month regimens of antibiotics sometimes stop early simply because they feel better, but this can cause the infection to develop a resistance,” said Sanger.
Sanger combines her coursework with relevant, real, world research. She appreciates the opportunity to “be a part of that community” as an undergraduate student.
Sanger thinks that both Biochemistry and University Honors are important parts of her college experience. “Department-specific honors programs really help you find your career path, and University honors challenge you to interact with students from different departments, with different perspectives,” said Sanger.
Sanger will complete her capstone for University Honors and present her biochemistry research at a symposium on campus in spring. She joins thousands of UMD students who have had the opportunity to do advanced research projects as undergraduates.
About the Chemistry & Biochemistry Department's Honors Program
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This story was written by UMD student Jack Wiedner, who is majoring in journalism and political science. Jack works with Cheryl Reitan in University Marketing and Public Relations.