Meet The Graduate

Read what Lauren Lahner has to say

I graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park, in May 2023, earning my BS in Biological Sciences with a minor in Neuroscience. Over my college career, I developed a passion for science. I am especially interested in cancer research and working with cells. I plan to apply to graduate school in the future but look forward to working in a related field in the meantime. 

I originally joined Nvolve in spring 2022 to learn from the experiences of women with tenured STEM careers and to further develop and enhance my skills. I’ve had a very valuable experience, ranging from being exposed to women from many STEM fields to acquiring real skills through targeted workshops. The discussions we had in our student huddles gave me new perspectives and pushed me outside of my comfort zone to think bigger. 

I had the unique experience of working on two challenging bioinformatics projects with the amazing support of our coach and the Director of Experiential Learning. These projects gave me invaluable hands-on experience, similar to what I could be doing in my future career. The projects focused on breast cancer biomarker data analysis, and resulted in two research papers (for both Biomarkers I and Biomarkers II) as well as an infographic summarizing our work. Both projects built my confidence; I learned that I could be dynamic and deliver in an area that was new to me. 

The core of Nvolve is mentorship, and I loved getting to know my mentor, Amy Elliott. I learned a great deal from her, and her guidance helped me through a variety of challenges. She was supportive, helped me gain confidence in areas where I lacked it, and helped me to become a better advocate for myself. She graciously gave her time and effort to help me prepare for a career in STEM and all the challenges of being a woman in STEM. I admire her drive, passion, positivity, and willingness to give back. Those are all qualities that I aspire to have.  

To all the other young women embarking on their STEM journey: take every opportunity you can to expose yourself to new experiences. You never know what you may end up being passionate about. Be open-minded, willing to put in the work, and able to take constructive criticism. Most important, surround yourself with women who will push you to be your best, challenge you, believe in you, and support you.  

Meet Amy Elliott

I work as a scientist at Oak Ridge National Lab researching 3D printing technologies with metals and ceramics. I thoroughly enjoy my job and often reflect on how so many awesome mentors have helped me get here. In turn, I love mentoring others.  

The Nvolve program has been a great way to connect with women pursuing technical degrees. I have really enjoyed getting to know my current mentee and her path in biology. Throughout our mentoring sessions we have shared many insights into managing different types of situations, emotions, and challenges. She is an extremely perceptive person with a bright future, and I am honored to provide guidance and support to her during her journey.