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When Abbey Murcek was in high school in Pittsburgh, her robotics team worked with a special education teacher to create low-cost adaptive devices for students with disabilities. She loved applying newfound knowledge in a way that helped others, and sought to continue such enriching experiences in her college career.

Today, Murcek is a third-year chemistry major at �ǿմ�ý doing exactly that in a genetics lab at the School of Medicine, where she helps determine how molecules in therapy drugs bind with proteins in various cancer cells.

“Everyone has been super welcoming,” she said. “[The faculty and graduate students] help me not only develop and learn new research techniques, but understand the theory behind what we’re doing.”

Murcek hopes to continue working in genetics as a physician and researcher. 

“I really like getting into the fundamentals of why something works,” she said, “and I appreciate how chemistry can be applied to a variety of medical research.”

Murcek is also minoring in Chinese—a passion she developed in middle school.

“Knowing at least one second language is a useful tool in communicating with patients,” she said, “and �ǿմ�ý makes it easy to explore a variety of interests outside of your major.”

The financial flexibility provided by donor support has allowed Murcek to immerse herself in student life on campus to get the full �ǿմ�ý experience. Beyond her coursework, she is active in a faith-based student organization, Cru, as well as Case for Life and �ǿմ�ý Archery Club. And none of this would be possible, she said, without her scholarship.

“The scholarship I received has allowed me to go to �ǿմ�ý with less financial stress, which has been incredibly impactful,” said Murcek. “I’ve met others who are also driven to create change and help people.”