Meet Elisabeth - The Health Care Research and Discovery Featured Student

Tomorrow’s groundbreaking health protocols result from today’s research and discovery. Outstanding research opportunities for all UMR students prepare them for careers that apply rigorous investigation and analysis to grand health challenges of the 21st century.

Elisabeth Pearson, ‘19

Health Care Research and Discovery
Major: Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences
Hometown: Cottage Grove, MN

Why did you choose to come to UMR? I chose to come to UMR in pursuit of a health sciences degree, however the biggest impact of my decision to choose UMR was the relationships I saw built with the professors and staff at the university. As a first-generation college student, I did not want to get lost in the confusion of a large university. UMR was a tight-knit community that allowed me to stay on track and feel comfortable finding mentors and resources to guide my path towards my career goals.

How did your Capstone experience prepare you for your future in what you’re currently doing? The research portions of my Capstone allowed me to broaden my research skills. As I transitioned to a post-baccalaureate research program through the National Institutes of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases in Bethesda, MD after graduating, I had a very good foundation of which to develop my own research project and spent less time troubleshooting experiments due to lack of experience. Additionally, being in Spain allowed me to gain confidence in my spanish speaking abilities, which directly affects my patient care now as a Medical Assistant at a Dermatology clinic in Arlington, VA where I am the only MA with the ability to interact with our spanish speaking patients.

Learn more about Elisabeth's experience and learn more about UMR's Pathways.