Miranda shares her BCAS journey
Miranda Brainard is a statistics and biology major in Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences (BCAS) who chose the University of Akron for its unique blend of big-school resources and a small-school atmosphere. She values the close-knit community, where she regularly sees friends on her way to class and waves at professors in the student union.
Her passion for math and science guided her to pursue degrees in both biology and statistics. This dual focus aligns perfectly with her ambition for a research career that allows her to do the hands-on scientific work and analyze her own data.
Miranda’s journey has been supported by her dedicated advisers from both the biology and statistics departments. They have collaborated to create an optimized academic plan, ensuring she meets the requirements for both majors while making the most efficient use of her time.
“The great thing has been my Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences (BCAS) advisers. My biology and my statistics adviser have been willing to sit down in the same room with me, look at all of my requirements for both separate majors, and see what can overlap, what can I do that would use my time best. Sitting down with both of them and really planning out my academic career to figure out what classes would benefit me most and serve both areas, that's been really, really helpful.”
This summer, Miranda is participating in the Summer Pediatric Research Scholars Program at Akron Children's Hospital.
“I am working specifically in the psychology department to help a psychologist there analyze some results from her recent research study.”
Global Research Spotlight
Miranda enjoying time away from the conference held in Japan
Southern Octagonal Hall (Nan'end艒) of K艒fuku-ji Temple in Nara, Japan
Miranda is joined at the conference by Nathan Lewandowski and Rebekah Harden
In August of 2024, Miranda presented research at the in Kyoto, Japan. This was not her first international experience—last summer, she traveled to Tahiti. Accompanying her in Japan were Dr. Richard Londraville, professor of biology, and graduate students, Nathan Lewandowski and Rebekah Harden.
She will graduate in the spring of 2025 with plans to continue her education in a Physician Assistant school.
The Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences at UA has provided Miranda with valuable preparation for her future. The extensive resources and opportunities have thoroughly equipped her for life after graduation.
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Story by: Lisa Craig, BCAS Director of Communications and Marketing, email lmc91@uakron.edu.
Video by: University Marketing and Communications