THC News
Alumni Spotlight: Christina Rabeler
Class of 2009
Being a part of the Templeton Honors College at Eastern University as an undergraduate student throws wide open many doors of opportunity to excel in academia. Sometimes, these successes accomplished under the guise of undergraduate studies even outlast our careers as students. Such is the case for Class of 2009 Templeton Honors College Graduate, Christina Rabeler.
During the summer between her sophomore and junior years at Eastern University, Rabeler seized the opportunity to work with a scientific research group sponsored by the National Science Foundation. It was during this ten week project at a biomedical research laboratory in New York that Rabeler learned more about biology, biochemistry and work in the research environment. As a result of the experience, Rabeler and the rest of the research group saw their work published in an article for the October 2009 edition of Molecular Cell science journal. Rabeler discussed on the editorial, “It has been exciting for me to see my contributions to that laboratory's research in print, and to realize that my work that summer may actually have an impact in the scientific community in some small way.”
Ms. Rabeler also attributes much of her accomplishment to her experiences at Eastern University, citing professors Maria Fichera and Jeff Lawton as strong influences on her academic career. Following her junior year, Rabeler spent two months assisting Dr. Lawton with his research on the pathogenic bacteria E. amylovora. Noting this experience, Rabeler said, “This was a unique opportunity in that I was able to work on a specific project of my own, designing my experiments and seeing a small project move to completion during the summer. Many students in similar undergraduate programs never have that type of hands-on introduction to the world of research, and I am so grateful for that experience.” In addition to work within her biochemistry major course work, Rabeler also refers to her study abroad encounter in Jerusalem as one of the most impactful experiences during her time with Eastern University and the Templeton Honors College.
Currently, Ms. Rabeler is working as a laboratory research technician
at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and has plans to enroll in
graduate school. Rabeler is also looking forward to pursuing a career in a field
of social assistance such as public health or environmental studies. When asked
what future goal she aspires to achieve, Ms. Rabeler finds it important to look
back to her career as a student as a great part of her foundations for the
future. In relation to this Rabeler said, “After the past four years as a
student at Eastern and as a member of the Templeton Honors College, I have
found myself with a desire to further the Kingdom of God through the
science-based skills and talents with which I have been blessed. By
studying not only the sciences, but also the Bible and theology, I feel that I
now have a unique foundation to build a career upon.” Aspiring to advance
in her field, Rabeler considers her time with the Templeton Honors College a key
component in developing the skills and character necessary to pursue her career
and live life well.
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