2020 Award: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Service Award
Major: Biochemistry
Hometown: Sacramento, CA
Extracurricular activities: Pre-lab Assistant, Physical Chemistry Lab TA, Meals on Wheels, Habitat for Humanity, Sacred Heart ER Volunteer
More about Marcus
Future Plans:
In the Fall, I will be starting a Masters program in Biomedical Sciences at Vanderbilt University, after which I plan to apply to medical school.
How has your major contributed to your professional or personal development?
The biggest thing I learned as a Biochemistry major was how to develop organizational tools like time management and good planning, to navigate areas where I felt like I had no idea what I was doing. I can remember several times thought my degree where I felt overwhelmed or completely lost with either course material or course material in combination with some extracurricular obligation, but with the example of other students, faculty, and perseverance always managed to get through it, and at the end nearly always realized I had both understood more than I had previously thought and gained valuable skills. I think this understanding, that with the right type of planning, organization, and hard work, you can get through almost anything, will be an invaluable asset moving forward with my career.
What has been your proudest or most significant accomplishment during your Gonzaga career?
One of my proudest accomplishments at Gonzaga was working at the Chemistry prep-lab with Jeff Hazen and Scott Economu. As my first 'real' job I learned a lot from both of them, particularly in regard to organizational skills and professionalism. I'll look back on this as one of my most important formative work experiences.