Neuro-Oncology Research Coordinator at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center
Concordia St. Paul alum Natasha Bennett participated in the science department’s Staph Aureus research project as an undergraduate student. Bennett has since gone on to work with brain cancer patients who are interested in clinical trials as a Neuro-Oncology Research Coordinator at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center.
Bennett learned different research procedures and says, “The Staph Study helped me realize I wanted to work in research and shaped me to be adaptable.” The variety of experiences the undergraduate research programs gave her helped prepare her for flexibility in future jobs. “By working on new projects most semesters I was able to build the experience to be adaptable and learn techniques and protocols quickly and thoroughly.”
Participating in research projects and initiatives was integral in preparing Bennett for success in her field. She says, “Being a part of the Staph Study and research in general teaches you a lot of valuable skills for the future. Being a part of research teaches you to have great time management and scheduling skills to make sure you complete your work by the deadline. It also teaches you to work with others and how important it is to communicate with others while collaborating on a project. Most importantly, it teaches you to be adaptable and willing to always learn new things, because research is ever changing along with most jobs in science-based fields and you need to be able to change with the science.”