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Alma Onate: NKU Fueled Her Path to Medical School

By Andrea Carter
Office of the Dean, College of Arts & Sciences

Alma Onate is a chemistry major who is utilizing her biochemistry track in order to research synthesizing novel compounds to treat various diseases.

Alma worked with Dr. Lili Ma, an organic chemistry professor, making chemical compounds that specifically target lung and breast cancer, which are then tested for accuracy at killing the target cells.

Her research, which is driven by her passion for the medical field, will aid Alma to further her educational career this fall at Harvard Medical School.

Although her personal experience with the Chemistry Department’s mentoring program her freshman year initially sparked her interest in research, Alma has since been able to expand vital skill sets that will stay with her beyond her time here at NKU.

According to Alma, this opportunity has particularly helped her develop such abilities including gaining a deeper understanding of chemistry, developing, writing and presenting her research as well as networking with professionals and peers.

She also credits the relationships that she has fostered in the NKU chemistry community, especially the one with her research professor, for having had a large impact on her education and helping her achieve many academic milestones.

When Alma isn’t researching possible cures for cancer, she can be found spending her free time with her nephews.