Aug 05, 2020 St. Bonaventure’s
biochemistry graduates continue to affirm their competitiveness.
The university’s May biochemistry graduates achieved certification with distinction from the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB). The two students, Erin McNell and Nicholas Jodush, took the ASBMB certification exam in the spring, along with 924 other college students in the country. Some 374 (40.4%) achieved certification, with only 154 (16.6%) students achieving certification with distinction.
This is the third year in a row that St. Bonaventure students have risen to the top of the ASBMB certification process.
“This consistently supports the notion that our biochemistry program provides a high quality education, and ample opportunities for students to lead authentic research projects,” said Dr. Xiao-Ning Zhang, professor of biology and director of the biochemistry program.
Strong field experiences by undergraduate students prepares them for success in their career paths.
“I am proud to see how our program supports the professional growth in students, and how our biochemistry majors are thriving in this culture,” added Zhang.
McNell is a Ph.D. candidate in the Biological and Biomedical Sciences program at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and Jodush is a D.P.T. candidate in Daemen College’s Physical Therapy program.
McNell said St. Bonaventure’s biochemistry curriculum is not only designed to teach concepts of biology and chemistry, but to be able to apply the concepts to real-world challenges.
“The faculty encouraged me to perform at my highest ability, and were helpful along the way. Overall, it was the perfect balance of challenge and support. I am now comfortable in a laboratory setting because the program provided me the opportunity to lead a research project as an undergraduate, which can be rare at other universities. The biochemistry program prepared me for graduate school and my goal of working in a lab afterwards,” said McNell.
“The first word that comes to mind when I reflect on my time in the biochemistry program is opportunity,” said Jodush. “These opportunities include chances to work on exciting research projects, which help students gain an understanding of the scientific method and process, and that cannot be taught in the classroom.”
The certification exam has been designed to test students’ knowledge and understanding of the core competencies in biochemistry and molecular biology developed by the ASBMB and its members. St. Bonaventure’s biochemistry program is accredited by ASBMB, a prestigious, internationally recognized organization with more than 12,000 members.
Accreditation provides an independent, non-biased external recognition based on nationally applied, outcome-based criteria. ASBMB designation adds extra value to a St. Bonaventure biochemistry degree by providing more concrete and objective proof of SBU graduates’ qualifications and competitiveness.