Maribeth Thomas

School:
University of Pittsburgh

Email:
matst68+@pitt.edu

Major:
Bioengineering

Year:
Senior

Advisor:
Dr. Richard Debski

Mentors:
Eric Wong

Hometown:
New Castle, PA

Birthdate:
August 21, 1978



I come to the MSRC from New Castle, PA, where I was born and have lived my entire life. I have no brothers and sisters and no pets, just two wonderful parents. As I grew up, I always dreamed of following in the footsteps of my mother and father and becoming a teacher, but after surviving high school and five years of college, I soon decided I did not want to spend my life in a classroom. Throughout junior high and high school, I found I had a strength for math and science, and promised myself that I would someday become an ophthalmologist. This changed again, however, when it came time to complete my senior term paper. We had to research a career, and my guidance counselor helped me select biomedical engineering. After learning about this career, I found it would be a perfect job to combine my love for the sciences, specifically biology and chemistry, and math.

I spent my freshman year at Penn State University where I majored in pre-medicine. Although I met some great friends, went to some great parties, and cheered hard for the Nittany Lions, by the end of the second semester, I decided the country life of State College was not for me. By July, I had transferred to Pitt and was looking forward to changing my major to Bioengineering. So, here I am, getting ready to start my fifth year of school and graduate in 2001.

Even though I try to study a lot, I find my self with enough free time to do the things I enjoy. I am very active in my sororityÑSigma Sigma SigmaÑand like to participate in both the charity and social events. I also enjoy spending time with my close friends, watching sports (some say it is to look at the boys, but I swear itÕs for the love of the game!), reading, taking naps, and, of course, going out!

I wanted to thank everyone in the MSRC, especially Dr. Woo, Dr. Debski, Dr. Gilbertson, and Eric Wong, for giving me the opportunity to work here this summer and during my internship. I have had a lot of fun, and, most importantly, have learned so much.