An exceptional summer internship experience at the University of Pennsylvania continues to pay dividends for Elizabethtown College Biotechnology major Kimberly Manning, whose work was selected for presentation at the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minoritized Scientists (ABRCMS) at the Anaheim Convention Center in California on Nov. 9 to 12.
Manning also received a full ABRCMS Student Travel Award to attend the conference, which covers registration, housing, and airfare.
She was encouraged to apply after presenting the same summer research at the Leadership Alliance National Symposium in Hartford, Conn. in July. Attending the annual ABRCMS event, which serves as a go-to conference for underrepresented STEM students, holds a special meaning for Manning.
“Women continue to be underrepresented in STEM fields and the number of women of color in STEM fields is even fewer,” Manning explained. “Growing up, I consistently found myself in exclusionary learning environments, surrounded by teachers and role models who did not look like me. My race and socioeconomic background contributed to my inability to see myself occupying the same room as leaders in science. However, attending this conference will give me the confidence I need to be a role model for young women from all walks of life hoping to pursue a career in science!”
Manning’s summer research at UPenn focused on deconstructing tumorigenesis using mouse models in an effort to expand knowledge of human disease. Working alongside a Ph.D. candidate, Manning’s research examined tumor-derived cell lines of a Small Cell Lung Cancer mouse model to elucidate the mechanisms of a novel form of cell death.
Etown’s School of Sciences can be credited with helping her flourish in this internship experience, says Manning.
“As a Biotechnology major, I have taken classes ranging from Microbiology, Cell Biology, and Genetics so I felt as though I had an extensive depth of scientific knowledge that allowed me to confidently join any lab of my choosing,” Manning said. “Etown also prioritizes hands-on learning when it comes to laboratory techniques, so by the end of my first year, I had already felt comfortable using a pipette and conducting Polymerase chain reaction (PCR).”
Following graduation, Manning plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular Biology in hopes of gaining the skills and knowledge needed to better understand human disease using a bench-to-bedside approach. Manning already has a jump start on that goal after recently receiving a personal invitation to apply for early admission to UPenn’s Cancer Biology program.
“Manning’s amazing story is only one example of the wide range of experiences students encounter in the School of Sciences at Etown,” Dean of the School of Sciences Jodi Lancaster said. “Many of our students complete internships and research experiences that result in presentations and publications. These experiences strengthen resumes and graduate school applications.”
The future is looking bright for Manning and she feels well prepared for it thanks to the positive experience she has enjoyed at Etown.
“The mentorship at Etown is absolutely phenomenal,” Manning said. “Because of our small size, I developed close relationships with various faculty members who I often go to for career and life advice. Through the difficult courses I’ve had to take, Etown has helped me develop critical thinking skills that can help me solve complex problems both in and out of the lab.”
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