Gifts in Action - Michelle Gentile

MEET MICHELLE GENTILE

Michelle was one of three UIC students who won the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship. The $7,500 scholarship paid her tuition and helped with her housing.

Gentile was the co-founder and past co-editor-in-chief of The Journal for Pre-Health Affiliated Students. She interned at the National Cancer Institute in Maryland, where she worked with a new technique to detect the genetic expressions of colon cancer in the institute’s Genetics Cancer Branch. “I’m really excited to be involved with this new research experience,” she said.

THE BARRY M. GOLDWATER SCHOLARSHIP

The Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship was designed to encourage outstanding students to pursue careers in mathematics, the natural sciences, and engineering. The scholarship is awarded to full-time students maintaining a “B” average, ranked in the upper fourth of their class and in a field of study that permits admission to a graduate or professional program in preparation for a career in mathematics, the natural sciences or engineering.

WHAT SHE SAYS

Gentile intended to pursue a career in surgical oncology and research, seeking the molecular markers of cancer and developing targeted therapies. “I hope I find something to distinguish cancer-causing agents and treat each cancer separately,” she said.