ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: Mackenzie Dunn '24

Mackenzie Dunn received her Westminster diploma in May 2024 and the molecular biology graduate quickly transitioned into an important, hands-on role at Akron Children’s Hospital. Dunn credits the deep research experience received at Westminster and the 1-on-1 labs with professors who contributed to preparing her for a successful future in health care.

How did you find Westminster College and decide to major in molecular biology?

Science has always been my favorite subject. I came across Westminster using a basic google search for “good biology programs near me” and Westminster was one of the first schools that popped up. I really liked the small size of the campus and the small student population. Coming from a large high school, I knew that attending a smaller college was something I would enjoy more than going to a large state university. When I visited campus, Dr. Corrette-Bennett gave me a full tour of the biology department. He told me all about the classes that were available and the opportunities that I would have for undergraduate research via Capstone and the possibility of independent study. I really liked the possibility of doing research and enjoyed seeing posters of previous students' projects hanging on the walls.

When it came to deciding my major, I knew I would declare either biology or molecular biology. I ultimately picked molecular biology because it was more specific for certain topics. During my first year, I met with Dr. Resendes, my academic advisor, and she helped me realize that molecular biology was the best option because I told her I enjoyed “learning about the small things.” My minor in biochemistry was more of a spontaneous addition. I took biochemistry my sophomore year and I enjoyed it so much that I added it as a minor. I am very grateful that I decided on a minor, especially one that I found enjoyable. 

What Westminster professors or courses influenced you the most, and how?

The classes that influenced me the most were taught by the professors that influenced me the most. Those classes and professors were cell & molecular biology taught by Dr. Resendes, molecular genetics and recombinant DNA taught by Dr. Corrette-Bennett, and the three biochemistry courses taught by Dr. Lackey. These classes were the most influential because I found them the most interesting. While I enjoyed most of the classes I took at Westminster, these classes were by far my favorites because they covered the topics that made me want to major in molecular biology. As for the professors, these professors influenced me the most because of their knowledge and passion for the topics that they taught. All three of these professors have given me advice that has not only helped me get me through my four years at Westminster, but has continued to help me as I navigate this new journey in health care. 

As my academic advisor, Dr. Resendes helped me decide that molecular biology was the best major for my academic interests and would be more focused on research and laboratory work. Once I decided that going to a medical laboratory science (MLS) program was what I wanted to pursue after graduation, she helped me find programs with strong reputations and made sure that I completed all the necessary requirements for the application process.

Dr. Corrette-Bennett was very influential because he was the professor for many of my biology classes and served as advisor for both my senior Capstone research and my independent study research. The last two years of college I basically saw him every day of the week. I learned how to work independently in a lab, but I also learned how to work with others in the lab. My research experience with Dr. Corrette-Bennett helped prepare me for working in a lab, for getting comfortable with different techniques and methods, and for studying topics that I found interesting and that produced interesting results. Dr. Corrette-Bennett also helped me realize that I didn’t need to go into a master's or doctoral program right after graduation, and that going straight into the workforce was as much of an option as continuing school. He also pointed out that after a few years of working in the lab I could always go back to school in the future.

Dr. Lackey was another very influential professor because he was very in tune with his students and made his classes entertaining while also making sure we learned the material. His teaching style was one of the main reasons I enjoyed my biochemistry courses and decided to add biochemistry as a minor. The biochemistry methods course was completely laboratory based, but there was also time spent talking about plans after graduation and how we could prepare for those plans.

Was there anything about your Westminster College experience that you felt was unique compared to friends who went to other universities or colleges?

Compared to friends that went to larger colleges and state universities where they had larger and more high-tech lab equipment, I noticed that Westminster has a great undergraduate research program that allows all seniors of all majors to experience research in their own field. I know many college graduates who lack these research experiences. Because they were at such large universities, they were never given the opportunity to work alongside a faculty member and other students on a research topic of their choice that they found interesting. When I applied to the MLS programs and various other employment opportunities, I found that my undergraduate research experience usually ended up being one of the main topics of my interview. Some employers and program directors told me that some applicants come in with absolutely no research experience or they lack general laboratory experience. Not only is Westminster unique in the fact that all students get to complete a research project, but a majority of the STEM classes offered at Westminster also include a three-hour lab. 

Knowing what you know now, what piece of advice would you give to yourself for your first semester on campus?

Before college, I was the type of student that never needed to study and would still earn Bs and As, even in the dual credit classes I took through the local community college. When I arrived at Westminster and failed my first biology exam, I realized that not studying was no longer an option if I wanted to retain any information and pass my classes. If I could give myself any advice it would be to study for my very first biology exam and take the time to figure out which study methods worked best for me. If I could give advice to anyone, even high school students, it would be to learn how to study for tests and exams before you start college, even if you were like me and never had to study to retain the information and earn good grades. 

Describe your career/education path since graduating Westminster last spring.

I am attending the Akron Cooperative Medical Laboratory Science Program (ACMLSP) at Akron Children’s Hospital that also collaborates with Aultman Hospitals and Summa Health. My program is a 12-month program because I’ve already obtained my bachelor's degree. My program has two semesters with two phases in each semester. Phase 1 of each semester is the classroom portion of the program, while phase 2 involves the Clinical rotations at different hospital branches. I was also fortunate to be one of three students selected for a student position (limited-service technician) in the Central Core Lab at Akron Children’s Hospital, working in specimen processing and phlebotomy. In this position, I am responsible for receiving all specimens that are sent to the central core lab and collecting blood draws for some patients. Along with phlebotomy and receiving specimens, I am processing or preparing all specimens for delivery to a lab at the Mayo Clinic. I am also responsible for processing tests that are sent from smaller ACH locations. 

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