Summary
To celebrate Dr. Molly Easter's dissertation defense, we met with her to discuss how her experience in KURE inspired her journey to pursue a PhD.
Dr. Molly Easter is a PhD candidate at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She completed her undergraduate degree from the University of California, Merced and joined the KURE program in the summer of 2017. Dr. Easter’s PhD research focuses on aging and its role in the disease pathogenesis of the aging cystic fibrosis patient population. She defended her dissertation on February 1, 2024. To celebrate this achievement, we met with her to discuss how her experience in KURE inspired her journey to pursue a PhD.
“During my time in the KURE program, I learned about biomedical research and how the research we conduct at the bench can translate into treatments and therapeutics for patients suffering from disease. It became my passion to conduct research that will better patients’ lives, especially those dealing with diseases that do not have a cure, including chronic kidney disease.”
KURE serves as a door to open opportunities for students passionate about research. We asked Dr. Easter which opportunities KURE had given her that have helped in her career today. She said, “KURE gave me the opportunity to network with scientists at UAB, to present poster presentations which have helped me grow professionally as a scientist, and to gain collaborators now in my PhD.”
“KURE ignited my passion for translational research, and my PhD now is in a translational research lab.” KURE is often students’ first real experience and exposure to research.
Looking back on her time in the KURE program, Dr. Easter advises students to apply for this program because of all the benefits it has: “KURE exposed me to cutting edge research, wonderful mentors, and amazing networking opportunities that helped me get into my PhD program and create partnerships and collaborations at UAB.”
We wish Dr. Easter the best as she finishes and defends her dissertation! We are consistently impressed by her and look forward to seeing what her career has in store for her!
UAB KURE is currently accepting applications – go.uab.edu/kure