Kevin Vanella (Immunology)
Hometown: Bridgeton, NJ
Undergraduate school: The College of New Jersey, 2004
Degree/field of study: Biology major, Chemistry Minor
"My inspiration to pursue a career in research comes from an interest in helping other people and doing public service. I am also stimulated by working among academics. I chose my field based on an interest in more clinically applicable research.
"I didn’t have a strong idea about where I would focus my research before entering the program. PIBS did help me decide because I entered as a Biological Chemistry student and exited in an Immunology student. The PIBS year allowed me to explore a number of different niches.
"Now I work on an individual research project. I also participate on the research projects of others by doing my best to help and teach technically and intellectually. I consider progressing from an entering student without much direction to deciding on and working on my thesis project as an accomplishment. In other words, I am pleased that I can help others more now than I could before."
