Washington University Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences

🔬PhD Students Gillian Patton and Avery Bradley helped organize an event in the lab of Gautam Dantas, PhD, welcoming SLU High School students for a behind-the-scenes look at lab life and careers in science.

🌟 The visit included an intro presentation, tours of lab spaces like the computing cluster, anaerobic chambers, and long-read sequencing equipment, plus a panel with current lab members. Gillian shared that the panel is her favorite part of the visit each year because students get to ask real scientists how they became interested in science and how to shape their own paths toward a STEM career. Avery added, “I hope that this event encourages the students to consider a career in the sciences.” Thank you both for hosting such an impactful event!

How it started ➡️ How it’s going ✨
From presenting at the Vagelos Undergraduate Research Symposium to beginning her journey in medical school, Grace Halupnik’s path reflects the power of curiosity, dedication, and hands-on research experience. 🎓

The Vagelos Fellowship "allowed me to spend dedicated time on my own research project which taught me valuable skills and solidified my interest in translational research." Today, she continues to stay involved in research as a first-year medical student at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine. 💛

We’re excited to celebrate Grace’s journey and all that’s ahead. 👏

How it started ➡️ How it’s going ✨
From her poster presentation as a Vagelos Undergraduate Research Fellow to thriving today as a PhD student in Molecular Cell Biology, Paige Kirschner's journey is a reminder of how far passion and dedication can take you. 🧬📚

The Vagelos Fellowship "solidified my passion for research and showed me that a PhD was the right path for me." It has opened doors for me, and connected with mentors, classmates, and friends who continue to shape my path. ❤️ 💚

We’re so proud to celebrate the growth, dedication, and impact of our students — then and now. 👏🎉

How it started ➡️ How it’s going ✨
From presenting her research to finishing her first year of medical school at Ohio State, Julia Gamache’s growth is a reminder of the lasting impact of curiosity, mentorship, and research. 🎓
The Vagelos Fellowship was one of Julia’s most memorable experiences at WashU. "The Fellowship introduced me to a new side of research that I fell in love with and has inspired me to integrate research into my career after medical school." Along the way, she built meaningful relationships, grew professionally, and gained skills she continues to use every day. ❤️
Congrats Julia, we can't wait to see what you do next! 🎉

🎓❤️ 2026 Hooding & Recognition Ceremony ❤️🎓
This year’s DBBS Hooding & Recognition Ceremony was particularly meaningful as many of our PhD graduates celebrated this milestone with their children by their side.👶
Their achievements are a powerful reminder of the many ways our graduates balance the demands of doctoral study and family life. We are so excited to be celebrating with you!

🎓✨ Celebrating Our Graduates and Honoring Our Program Directors ✨🎓
Congratulations to our DBBS graduates on this incredible achievement! We are so proud of all you’ve accomplished.
We also extend our sincere gratitude to our Program Directors and faculty, for their guidance, support, and commitment throughout this journey. Your leadership has played an important role in helping our graduates succeed.
Thank you for being part of the DBBS community, and congratulations again to our graduates!

🎓❤️ A heartfelt thank you to our 2026 Hooding & Recognition Ceremony speaker, Jarret Glasscock, PhD, WashU class of 2004.
Dr. Glasscock encouraged students to embrace bold goals and learn from setbacks, telling students to “let your failures be the measure of your ambitions” and that “learning to deal with failure is the key to having long term success.”
Thank you, Dr. Glasscock, for sharing your insight, encouragement, and inspiration with the next generation of WashU scholars.

🎓✨ Congratulations to our DBBS graduates! ✨🎓
We loved celebrating with you at this year’s Hooding & Recognition Ceremony in Graham Chapel. Your hard work, dedication, and resilience during your PhD training made this day truly worth commemorating. We’re so proud of you and can’t wait to see what's next!