Born for the sciences, I fulfilled my intention by obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences with a concentration in Microbiology and a 4.0 GPA. At Purdue University Calumet, I spent the majority of my undergraduate participating as a student research assistant in an ecology research lab. There I solicited over $8,500 in research grant money and had written five approved grant proposals. My main projects that focused on wetland restoration, carbon sequestration, and nitrogen deposition allowed me to travel to worldly known ecological meetings to present my research findings and further my knowledge and experiences. I also took to performing experiments in Medical and Environmental Microbiology that would help me obtain the career I have today. I currently am employed in the laboratory for Astbury Water Technology where I utilize microbiological and wet chemistry methods to analyze water samples. This testing ensures that no harm is being done to the environment with the release of the water from factories and operating plants. As it turns out, being a nerd in school was not my only talent! I was drafted to play on the inaugural women’s soccer team formed at Purdue in 2012 and also ran on the cross country team during sectionals.

 

I had played soccer since I was five years old, but had never imagined playing in college or becoming such a successful student athlete. Being on the team had really opened my eyes to weight lifting, and I began lifting weights seriously my sophomore year in college to help increase my strength, flexibility, and decrease chance of injury on the field. Who else to ask for help with starting a program than the infamous James Perez, now Shmagranoff? James easily became the best training partner I had ever had, not to mention best friend, and now husband. I became captain of the soccer team and remained so until I graduated in 2014. Because of my stellar grade point average and finishing as the career leader in points, assists (16), game-winning goals (4), games started (53), minutes played (3,824), shots on goal (66), shots attempted (110), and second in goals (16), I was named to the College Division Capital One 2014 Academic All-America Women’s Soccer First Team by the College Sports Information Directors of America. I was the first ever recipient of the award in the history of the university. Once I graduate and my soccer career came to an end, I proceeded to continue with weight lifting and may consider competing one day.

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Awards and Honors

• Certificate of Excellence for proficiency testing in complex nutrients (September 4, 2015)

• Chancellor’s Honor Medallion for highest GPA in College of Engineering, Mathematics, and Science (2014)

• Capital One Academic All-American Team, Top 10 in United States, first in history of Purdue Calumet (2014)

• Outstanding Graduating Senior Award in College of Engineering, Mathematics, and Science (2014) 

• Outstanding Student Award for College of Engineering, Mathematics, and Science (2014) 

• Top Microbiology Student awarded by an associate professor of Biological Sciences (2014) 

• National Soccer Coaches Association of America Team Academic Award (2014)

• CCAC All-Academic Team (2013 soccer, 2013 cross country) 

• NAIA scholar athlete, honorable mention (2013, 2014) 

• Women’s College Division Scholar All-North/Central Region Scholar Athlete (2014)

• Most Valuable Player, offensive player of the year, mental attitude awards (2014)