Q&A with biochemistry student Ashleigh Carlton

Ashleigh Carlton performs with the WSU marching band.

Arriving at WSU with aspirations of becoming a veterinarian, Ashleigh Carlton never imagined she would fall in love with biochemistry. However, her relentless curiosity about how the body functions and why cells behave the way they do inspired her to switch majors, and the Lynnwood, Washington, native is now set to graduate this December.

What initially drew you to your major?

I originally joined WSU as a zoology major on a veterinary track, but my experiences at WSU redirected me to biochemistry, a major that I never thought I would love. The reason that I switched to biochem is because I couldn’t stop asking the question “Why?”. Why do cells in my body regenerate? Why do proteins perform the tasks that they do? Why are chemical reactions the answer to how proteins work? Each question brought me closer to my new major, and each class I took after I switched to biochem began answering those questions. 

Who has been the most influential mentor or professor during your time at WSU, and how have they impacted you?

Dr. Lisa Gloss was one of the most influential professors in my time at WSU. She was the course director for my biochemistry classes. Her passion for the topics she taught inspired my learning, especially when the mid-semester stress hit me. Her class structure helped me learn how to talk about the topic with peers as well. She, above all, taught me how fun it can be to be a nerd about your profession.  

Have you had any opportunities to work in a lab or conduct research while at WSU? How has that experience impacted your studies?

Since the summer of my sophomore year, I have had the honor and privilege to work in Dr. Laura Bartley’s lab in the Department of Chemistry. I have conducted research on multiple projects, which has given me insight and experience in many areas of study. Performing lab tasks in a real lab, as opposed to classroom labs, made my studies much more relevant to my future in science. In class, we learn the theory of how a method was produced or performed, but my time in Dr. Bartley’s lab is teaching me how to apply those theories in practice and how to use that knowledge to design further experiments. 

What advice would you give to someone thinking about majoring in a field within the College of Veterinary Medicine?

If you are looking to join a major that is part of the College of Veterinary Medicine at WSU, do! WSU provides amazing research and growth opportunities to both undergraduates and graduate students alike, with the condition that you put in the effort to apply. If I could, I would travel back to my freshman self and tell her to apply to join a research lab sooner. You would not believe how much more prepared I feel for my future career now that I have real research experience under my belt. 

What’s your favorite thing about WSU?

My favorite thing about WSU is the school spirit. As a former member of the WSU Cougar Marching Band, I got to be in the thick of it during game days. I may not remember every football game I attended, but I will always remember how happy I was to be part of a group that cheered for every win and every defeat. Go Cougs!

What are your post-graduation plans, and how do you see your education at WSU helping you achieve them?

After graduation, I hope to get a fulfilling career in my field, and at some point, make a stop for graduate school. WSU has given me the scholastic platform I need to excel in these goals. Not only have I now gotten a good education, but my experiences at WSU have also helped me learn who I am and who I want to become. I gained insight into what I want in my life, which is just as valuable to me as the education I received. 

What hobbies or extracurricular activities have you enjoyed at WSU, and how have they enriched your time here?

During my time as a student, I loved going to the Student Recreation Center (SRC). In my freshman year, I found out about fitness classes that the SRC provides, and I decided to try it out with my best friend. Long story short, I became a pole fitness instructor with the SRC for the final years of my undergraduate degree. Working out in this fashion gave me a fun and rewarding outlet that I could use to let steam out after a long day of classes. 

What’s a fun or surprising fact about you that most people wouldn’t guess?

Not many people know, but I am the voice of several WSU advertisement videos on the thread “#GoCougsMeans.” These videos aim to inform the public about what it means to make an impact on the world as a Coug. Each video highlights a different movement that WSU is engaging in: climate change research, making local foods accessible, discovering solutions to novel diseases in Africa, etc. In addition, I got to make a video ad in 2023 about the CougsFirst show with a couple fun and wonderful WSU women’s volleyball players!