Eileen Meehan
Graduate Assistant, UConn Health
BS Biology, Minor Chemistry 2012
MS 2014
Brückner Group
Don’t compare your progress with those around you and always look at your experiences as your strengths.
Additional degrees & licenses received
Currently working towards a Ph.D. in Biomedical Science
What is your current (or most recent) job, what does a typical day look like, and how did UConn prepare you for this role?
I recently did a u-turn and went from working as a Human Resources Coordinator in the alternative investments industry in New York City to pursuing a Ph.D. in Biomedical Science. I have been deep in coursework and rotations! UConn’s rigorous courses helped prepare me to undertake this path and past research experience helped gear me up for what to expect prior to entering the program.
Tell us about your experience as a Chemistry student at UConn.
While my undergraduate degree was in Biology, I ended up falling in love with Chemistry because of truly great teachers, such as Dr. Neth who made general Chemistry palatable, and it only got better from there! I was fortunate to be accepted into Dr. Brückner’s lab and work with biologically relevant porphyrins for undergraduate research. Working in his very welcoming and supportive lab created a strong sense of community and the opportunity to continue research during the summers set a precedent for what being fully devoted to research could mean.
Can you tell us about your experience post-graduation?
After I graduated with my master’s, I went on to study at the University of Pennsylvania to pursue a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry. I completed a year of the program, along with all required coursework, but decided to take a step back due to some health issues. After I left the program, I reassessed my interests and career goals and explored vocations I had a genuine interest in and professions I believed would give me beneficial skills. I worked as a personal trainer which allowed me to find different modalities to educate and motivate my clients to set them up to successfully achieve their goals. Also, I explored a career in Human Resources, which deepened my understanding of diversity and inclusion and how to create an environment that fosters a sense of belonging, equity, and growth. Now, I’ve finally made my way back to the sciences and I am pursuing a Ph.D. in Biomedical Science.
What is one piece of advice that you would give to current students?
Don’t compare your progress with those around you and always look at your experiences as your strengths.
