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Alyvia-Mae Syriac, from Manchester, NH, is majoring in biochemistry, molecular and cellular biology. Lyv shared her experience transferring to the College of Life Sciences and Agriculture at Â鶹Éç. 

Why did you choose to transfer to the Â鶹Éç College of Life Sciences and Agriculture?

Alyvia-Mae Syriac: I chose to transfer to COLSA because I knew my career goals resonated in being familiar with up-and-coming research, as well as having a strong foundation of the basic sciences. Â鶹Éç provides endless research opportunities for undergraduates and I am honored to have been a part of two separate Â鶹Éç research labs as of this summer.

How was your overall experience transferring to COLSA? What resources helped you to make the process smoother?

Lyv: An incredible resource that helped me transfer into COLSA was a program run by Assistant Dean Kim Babbitt and Professor Melissa Aikens. The program, called , is a once-weekly seminar that allows fellow community college transfer students to collaborate with each other as well as introduce us to the multitude of Â鶹Éç resources including those for career, academic and writing support.

How would you describe your experience as a transfer student so far?

Lyv: My experience as a transfer student thus far has been incredible. I believe that my community college experience prepared me with strategies to thrive at the university, which I have certainly done these past two semesters.

What are the resources at the college that have helped you acclimate and be successful?

Lyv: The top resource that helped me acclimate and be successful in COLSA are the wonderful and caring practitioners at Â鶹Éç's Health and Wellness clinic. Being able to maintain a healthy control of my diagnoses without worrying about appointments off-campus or high co-pay costs has allowed me to focus more time on my research and academics.

What is your major and what do you love about it?

Lyv: When I graduated from community college with my A.S. in biology, I knew I wanted to dive even deeper into the cellular processes that occur throughout living systems when I transferred to Â鶹Éç. My major at Â鶹Éç is biochemistry, molecular and cellular biology. I love that my major incorporates lab technique class requirements, which place students in upper-level biology laboratories that investigate interesting topics like tissue regeneration and cell phenotyping.

How is Â鶹Éç preparing you to achieve your goals?

Lyv: My dream is to become a primary care physician and practice in the beautiful state of New Hampshire. Â鶹Éç is home to our quick-thinking and knowledgeable Pre-Health Advisor Melissa Samaro, who has helped me prepare to achieve my medical school dreams. Because of Melissa and her team, earlier this semester I was able to attend a pre-medical student event at my dream medical school: Dartmouth College's Geisel School of Medicine in Lebanon New Hampshire.

What advice to you have for students who are considering transferring to Â鶹Éç?

Lyv: My best advice for students who are considering a Â鶹Éç transfer is to network! Many professors in COLSA are familiar with one another and reaching out to one professor about a research opportunity may lead to possibilities with other professors if you maintain networking as an important part of your time as a Â鶹Éç student.

Please share one unique or interesting fact about yourself.

Lyv: I love to alter my avatar and self-expression is a huge part of my personality! It's unlikely that you'll see me with the same hair color or style for longer than a month or two. I am also a tattoo enthusiast, a detailed scrapbooker, and am hoping to get my tongue pierced with a second barbell sometime this summer!

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