Richland, Washington, native Brayden Olsen is not only excelling in his undergraduate studies in microbiology at the College of Veterinary Medicine’s School of Molecular Biosciences, but he’s also setting his sights on a future doctorate. While making the most of his campus experience, Brayden has been deeply committed to his studies and is already making contributions as an undergraduate to mpox research in Dr. Heather Koehler’s lab.
He recently took some time to discuss his experiences at WSU.
What initially drew you to your major?
I have always been interested in biology, but in high school when I started to fully learn the complexity of the microbial world we cannot see, I was drawn to study it.
Who has been the most influential mentor or professor during your time at WSU, and how have they impacted you?
Dr. Heather Koehler took me on in her laboratory last fall and has guided me to be the best scientist I can be. Her high expectations and challenging questions have given me the skills to think outside the box and always think ahead, whether in the laboratory, classroom, or in my day-to-day life.
Have you had any opportunities to work in a lab or conduct research while at WSU? How has that experience impacted your studies?
I am currently a part of Dr. Heather Koehler’s laboratory studying mpox, which has allowed me to apply the knowledge I learned in the classroom to physical experiments, giving me a deeper understanding of experiments and mechanisms. I also am a part of Dr. David Gang’s laboratory researching hemp, which has allowed me to get experience with plants, which I had little knowledge going into but now can hold a conversation with other scientists on up-and-coming research in the hemp world. Both have given me skills on how to hold scientific conversations, perform experiments, and what to look into when trying to come up with a scientific project.
What advice would you give to someone thinking about majoring in a field within the College of Veterinary Medicine?
For anyone considering a major in CVM, I would highly recommend joining a laboratory that can allow you to apply what you learn. Especially in the microscopic and molecular world, it is hard to visualize what you are doing without doing it and reading data that can give a deeper understanding of the things you learn.
What’s your favorite thing about WSU?
My favorite thing about WSU is the friends I have been able to make. I have met countless people who are welcoming and that creates a fantastic environment in the classroom and outside of the classroom.
What are your post-graduation plans, and how do you see your education at WSU helping you achieve them?
This fall I will be applying to graduate schools to pursue a PhD that can hopefully set me up to become a principal investigator and professor at a university to help undergraduate students like me learn and have opportunities to be involved in science outside of the classroom. WSU has perfectly set me up to pursue this dream, as it has given me a great education, research experience, and people skills to take with me.
What hobbies or extracurricular activities have you enjoyed at WSU, and how have they enriched your time here?
I have enjoyed bowling, working out, and partying here at WSU. The rec center, a huge Greek life, and Zeppos allow me to have an amazing time outside of the classroom to enjoy myself with my friends.
What’s a fun or surprising fact about you that most people wouldn’t guess?
A surprising fact about me is that I am super into conspiracy theories, not necessarily believing them but learning facts about both sides of an argument that can disprove a “fact.”