Dr. Murray, Director of Education and Minority Diversity Programs in the Human Genome Sequencing Center at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX, assists students with all aspects of the graduate school process, from learning about research opportunities and post-doctoral career options that they might not have considered to admissions. Another goal of her job is to get more underrepresented minorities involved in scientific research.
Before transitioning to education, Dr. Murray had a long research career. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of Texas, a master’s in Environmental Toxicology from Prairie View A&M University, and a PhD in Cell and Molecular Biology from Purdue University. After completing a post-doctoral fellowship at the Baylor College of Medicine, Dr. Murray became a research scientist for the Dallas VA Medical Center and held an adjunct professorship at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School.
After almost twenty years in the laboratory studying cellular processes, Dr. Murray decided to reevaluate what she wanted to do. She says, “Being a people person, I thought it was time to explore opportunities for someone like myself who wanted to combine research knowledge with helping people.” A course at UT Austin in managerial leadership helped her to prepare for an administrative position. Eventually, after doing some non-profit work, the National Urban League (NUL) hired her for a job as the national coordinator for their CDC National Diabetes Education Program.
As she worked to educate people about diabetes and coordinate community interventions for the NUL, Dr. Murray realized that health education was not quite what she wanted to do. Science education seemed to be a better fit, given her background and desire to work with people. The director position at Baylor College of Medicine opened up and she thought it would be perfect for her. “My training as a research scientist prepared me very well to develop a program that would assist students in gaining admission to graduate school, give them the necessary knowledge about how the process worked and educate them about what the opportunities were once they obtained their PhDs.”
What steps do you suggest taking for a high school freshman/sophomore who wishes to conduct research in a lab, besides just contacting the professor?
Do you live close to a research university or medical school? If so, you have to contact the research professor to find out if they allow HS students to volunteer in their lab. Select several because they won't respond right away (some may never return your email). The second thing you should do is contact the Dean's office to find out if they an established program that brings HS students in to give them the opportunity you seek. Several do....even if you don't find the information on their website, you may find out from that phone call that they can put you in contact with PI (Principal Investigators) who would love to have you in their labs. The third way is to check with your school, your science teacher, principal etc. to find out if they have a relationship set up that allows their students to go to certain labs to gain the experience you seek. You will be surprised. Unfortunately, a lot of things are not advertised or announced. And the last way way of couse if there is a family friend who works at that place who can ask around for you....hopefully they will keep asking until they find you a way in so you can get the experience.
I am a senior in high school, and currently knee deep in college and scholarship applications (like most seniors!) I will probably major in something science/engineering related (I'm most interested in metaphysics..but most universities do not offer that as a major..) but I'm not exactly sure what. What is the best advice you can give to someone in my position?
The first thing you do is search to make sure this is not offered at any institution as a major. If not, don't worry about that now, Get into college and if possible get those scholarships!!! Once you are accepted into a couple of colleges, then you should talk to the Dean in both colleges to determine how to get the training you seek, and then select your college based on which offers you the best chance of getting courses to strengthen your background. You may be in the position where you have to build your degree by majoring in chemistry, physics, or engineering and taking courses in the other colleges to gain the background you need at the undergraduate level. You should talk to someone with this background to find out how they received their training.
Select your college based on which offers you the best chance of getting courses to strengthen your background.
You most likely will have to get a Masters or Ph.D. but that is NOT something you should be worrying about now.
I'm still a couple years away from even entering graduate school, but I'm a bit curious about "non-traditional" post-doctoral opportunities. I have very little idea of what I would like to do after graduate school (I'm pretty much set on going to graduate school for some sort of science - biology or neuroscience, possibly), other than perhaps teaching. I was wondering if you could describe a few of the paths that students do not typically consider.
It sounds like you are currently a science major. This would be a good time to explore opportunities in other sectors - government, private industry- there are summer internships in these areas as well. The training you receive in graduate school will equip you for positions in industry, public policy, and beyond. If you are interested in writing, there is always a need for people who understand the science at a Ph.D. level but able to transmitt the information to the public; of course, the public policy end is in need for that same level of understanding especially where funding is concerned; and if you are more interested in business or law there are opportunities in those fields as well. While in graduate school, take a few courses in business, or public health, or journalism etc. depending on where your interests lie.
The Baylor College of Medicine is associated with Rice University somehow, right? Rice is on my top-ten list for undergrad schools.
What major/minor would you recommend for someone interested in medicine. Furthermore, although I am far away from graduate school, should you still keep up the same level of extra-curricular activities you had in high school, or is it all right to let a few go?
BCM is a few blocks from Rice University, you can walk from Rice to our campus in minutes. We collaborate with their faculty....there are several ongoing projects between BCM and Rice faculty. If you are interested in medicine, people traditionally major in biology or chemistry, however, if you have a love for history, engineering, or any other subject, it is perfectly fine to major in those areas as well. All you have to do is take the required courses that all medical schools require to get accepted into medical school. You also have to take the MCAT (do very well). You find an assortment of majors among the first year medical students. Again, even with getting an MD people don't always practice medicine, they use this training as a tool or stepping stone to pursue other endeavors. As far as the extra-curricular activities, they should change (adjust) to reflect your new direction. There will be plenty of campus organizations you can choose from to participate in and hopefully get in some of the activities you enjoy and help the community.
Even with getting an MD, people don't always practice medicine, they use this training as a tool or stepping stone to pursue other endeavors.
Do you have any experience with liberal arts colleges' math/science programs? Specifically, will they be as rigorous (for undergrads, of course) as those of big universities? What are the pros and cons of math/science at each?
Well, I have had several students who attended liberal arts colleges and yes, their math and science backgrounds were very competitive. My thoughts when I visited a few of these schools is that they are more able to spend time with the students because the classes where small and they gave them challenging projects to help with understanding the material being presented as a way of over-compensating, but it was very effective. I think it is more important for you to attend a college where you will be comfortable. Larger universities offer MORE in every area but you can get the exposure you need at the smaller institutions. You need to check their record (standing...usually published once a year) and ask the departments you are interested in where are their graduates hired etc.
I am high school junior living in Greece.I am going to apply to a few Colleges in US next year. If i get into one of those Colleges i would like to study aerospace engineering. Do you think that the job of an aerospace engineer has good prospectives in US? Any advices for international students?
Aerospace Engineering is a good career choice world wide. Space exploration is supported by many governments and private interests. Just recently, our space program budget was cut but that should not affect you because you will be training (earning your degree) while this industry turns around. I don't know how close you are away from the European Space Agency, but see if you can plan a visit and set up a meeting with some of their engineers to get their feel on where the field is going.
Thank you from Cogito, Dr. Murray!