Chase Hudak ’17, a Biological Sciences pre-medicine major, presents his research at Ohio University’s Student Research and Creativity Expo.
By Juliana Scheiderer ’16
Biological Sciences pre-medicine major Chase Hudak ’17 is taking advantage of all the resources in the College of Arts & Sciences to help him on his path to medical school. The junior was recently awarded $900 from the Provost’s Undergraduate Research Fund for his project researching how Hyp-GALT enzymes influence plant growth.
Hudak explained that the project required him to collaborate with his professors in the lab and to write a report to submit for the PURF award.
“Dr. (Allan) Showalter introduced me to the project and said it would be a good opportunity for me,” Hudak said. “We do reverse genotyping on all of our plants to see how each enzyme affects the protein’s growth, cell wall and things like that.”
Shadowing a Doctor, Volunteering in Honduras
Hudak also took advantage of opportunities back home. Last summer, he shadowed a doctor to gain insight into the medical field.
“I shadowed the same doctor all summer long, Dr. Shetley, at the Edwin Shaw Rehabilitation Center in Akron,” he said.
This isn’t Hudak’s first exposure to medicine. Beginning in high school, he participated in mission trips to Honduras with his father, a dentist, and assisted with medical procedures.
“I translate for the nurses, and I act as a hygienist for my father, as well as assisting doctors in other ways,” Hudak said.
This experience was eye-opening for Hudak in many ways.
“Before these trips, I didn’t really have an idea of what I wanted to be,” Hudak said. “Going on these trips definitely gave me guidance.”
Hudak found that volunteering and going abroad can be especially helpful for individuals still deciding their career path.
“A lot of people I went to Honduras with based their careers off their experiences there,” Hudak said “Volunteering and going overseas help you find yourself.”
Finding Undergraduate Research Support at OHIO
Once Hudak decided on medicine as a career, Ohio University was there to help him achieve it. Hudak cites the supportive professors and diverse research opportunities at OHIO with preparing him for medical school.
“We have a lot of helpful teachers who go out of their way to not only make the material more understanding, but they’ll definitely open your mind to other areas of research,” Hudak said.
When it comes to finding research opportunities, Hudak advises students to establish a network of faculty members and read up on each professor’s area of expertise.
“Just read up on every professor’s field of research. Every one is so unique, so they can fit your interests,” Hudak said. “Also, become friends with professors, get to know their work, and that will give you an in.”
After graduation, Hudak plans on attending medical school to ultimately become an emergency room doctor. After he completes his residency, he wants to return to the place that sparked his passion for medicine.
“I definitely want to try to do Doctors Without Borders for a few years,” Hudak said. “Once I get more established, I’d like to continue doing mission trips every few years.”
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