2015 Summer STEM Ambassador: Robert Usab

What are you studying at UMBC?

I am studying Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

What is your favorite place on UMBC?

When it’s warm out, the patio on the roof of the Biology building is amazing for studying.

And the (seb) office in the student org space in the Commons.

What is the most interesting thing you have ever done?

I ran in a race down the back side of a mountain in Alaska. It was so steep it was faster to jump down the mountain rather than run. This was probably one of the most memorable things I’ve ever done.

What extracurricular activities/ organizations are you most active in?

I’m a very involved member of (seb) which stands for Student Events Board. We plan events and bring all the artists and events to Quadmania and Welcome Week every year! I’m also a member of the Meyerhoff Scholars program and work in Dr. Charles Bieberich’s lab studying prostate cancer in UMBC’s Biological Sciences Department.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I read mostly, and I’m starting to pick running back up. Also, I enjoy watching reruns of House and Parks and Recreation!

What do you want to do after your undergraduate career?

I plan on pursuing a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences. I am not sure what I am going to study specifically, but I am very interested in cancer genetics and infectious disease research.

What is one thing on your bucket list?

Travel outside the country, and visit Budapest, where my family is from.

If your life could be made into a movie, would it be a comedy, drama, rom-com, action movie or science fiction?

Definitely, a comedy. I always find reasons to laugh at myself, and try to find the funny side of the mistakes I make (which are more often than I’d like to admit!).