Corinne
Drabenstott
Hometown: Cary, NC
Major: Biomedical Engineering
Research Interest: Synthetic biology
“I knew that by choosing CSS, they would help me find the best STEM career path for me while also providing the support I needed to get through it.
WHY did you decide to join the CSS Program and come to Carolina?
I decided to join CSS for the community of people, academic mentorship, and great research opportunities. I knew that by choosing CSS, they would help me find the best STEM career path for me while also providing the support I needed to get through it.
WHAT are you most looking forward to doing during your undergraduate years?
I am most looking forward to making memories with my cohort members. They already feel like my best friends, but I know over the years we will only get closer. I am also excited to start research in a lab sometime soon. Carolina has so many professors doing exciting research, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to get to work with them.
what is a research topic you are interested in exploring?
My favorite scientific research topic is synthetic biology. It is a field that treats biological mechanisms like mechanical parts, and redesigns them to solve a particular problem. I did a synthetic biology project in high school where we designed a yeast cell to produce spider silk for wound-healing applications. It’s fascinating to me because it is a whole new way of thinking about biological engineering.
WHAT are your future goals?
I would like to pursue a PhD. While my more specific interests may change, I know a career in scientific research is the place for me.