Mark Molinaro

What’s the secret to collaborating with peers at conferences across the country, becoming president of your favorite club, and trying out everything that interests you? Mark Molinaro ’16 will tell you it’s about getting to know your classmates and professors.

“I’ve had so many things start by having that one-on-one with professors—the research I’ve done, going to conferences,” Mark says. “You get to know your professors better, and they get to know what interests you.”

Mark imagined his research idea—testing bacteria in a nearby recreational stream—during a microbiology class, where his professor introduced him to the different bacteria properties that cause antibiotic resistance.

“I wondered if antibiotic-resistant bacteria were occurring in the stream nearby,” Mark says. “And we found that biofilm samples taken from different locations in the stream had resistance to antibiotics.”

As an honors student, he presented his research at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research, the Georgia Collegiate Honors Council Conference and the Southern Regional Honors Council Conference.

As the Student Government Association president, he made sure others could pursue what interest them. He worked with faculty and staff to increase mini-grants to help students who can’t afford travel attend leadership workshops and research forums.

“Being able to have these different experiences is fulfilling,” Mark says. “It’s a shame if you can’t do them because of funds. Finances should be your last worry when it comes to experiencing something that will improve your character and leadership in the long-run.”

Mark started out as a nursing major, but after volunteering with a local emergency department, he switched gears. At the hospital, he checked in patients, greeted family members and visitors, and made sure patients were comfortable. Then he decided to go premed.

“I’m interested in health care because I love helping people. I’ll go out of my way just to support others. It’s where I belong.”