So, you're considering the IPIBS program at the University of Louisville? Or perhaps you've already started your graduate school career and are thinking to yourself, "what am I doing here"? Well, let me tell you that you've made a wise choice by choosing UofL.

Not many years ago, I was in your shoes. I graduated from Kentucky Wesleyan College in Owensboro, Kentucky with my B.S. in Biology. At some point during my undergraduate career, I had decided I wanted to teach at the college level. Because of my interests in cell biology and histology, I chose to pursue a Ph.D. in Anatomical Sciences and Neurobiology. While I was a student, I was fortunate enough to be able to pool resources from both the Department of Anatomical Sciences & Neurobiology and Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences since my graduate advisor was a member of both departments. This afforded me a number of great opportunities to meet and learn from some of the best researchers in the state. I was an inaugural member of the Molecular Neurobiology program and also served on the Graduate Student Council. I was fortunate enough to also participate in the Preparing Future Faculty program, which helped me learn the true definition of academia. Following completion of my PhD. after six years, I accepted a postdoctoral research fellowship at Yale University School of Medicine where I broadened my interests in cell biology.

Dr. Wilt "windowing" an egg, a non-invasive technique used so that the developing chick embryo can be observed during its development.

After two years, I got my first "real job". I feel that my experiences at UofL successfully prepared me for my current position as an Associate Professor of Biology at Bellarmine University. Do I have any advice for you? Of course I do... selecting a graduate school and a programs that will meet your needs is an important decision. Weigh all of your options, and I'll bet that more often than not, the Graduate School at UofL will have what you need... and then some. Oh, and always keep your eyes open for seminars that say "Free Lunch"... the food's good and you might actually learn a thing or two!

Steven D. Wilt, Ph.D.
(1998) Bellarmine University