Undergraduate Researcher
I grew up on the island of Haiti and moved to the United States 3 years ago to pursue my undergraduate studies. I am majoring in Biochemistry and molecular biology. I spent my first two years of college at a different branch campus, Abington. In 2024, when I graduate, I intend to go to medical school. I’ve been especially drawn to the medical field over the past two years as the COVID-19 pandemic gave us all a sharp reminder of the necessity of folks in the medical field. I wanted to do research to better comprehend medical science, as well as acquire important skills like the capacity to analyze diseases. The Szpara lab is a perfect fit for my goal as it specializes in viruses more specifically HSV virus. Working in a virology lab gives me the chance to gain a deeper understanding of disease trends and risk factors. In the lab I measure viral plaques by using the NIS software. Outside of school, I enjoy dancing. Back home I danced ballet, jazz, modern, hip hop and folklore (Haitian traditional dance). I can not go a day without listening to music and most importantly food is my everything!
Kessina Vertil
W-222 Millennium Science Complex
University Park, PA 16802
klv5193@psu.edu