Name: Jonas Peter
Class: 2025
Major: Molecular Biology and Biochemistry
Minor: Health and Society
How did you decide on your major?
As with many freshmen coming into college, I was very unsure in my major, and put Biology as a safety. As I was exposed to different areas of knowledge across all the life science majors, my experience at the Rutgers RWJ Labs exposed me to the science that actually composes what we learn in class. It was fascinating to see that what I learned in classes like Biology and Statistics were actually being applied real time, and the summer right before my sophomore year, I turned in my application for MBB to Dr. Gunderson.
What is it about your chosen field (and the MBB Department) that appeals to you?
Finishing Gen Bio II after freshman year left me with so many unanswered questions about human biology. I knew that it was just an introductory class, but I always asked myself: "It can't be that simple. How does it really work, and what's really going on behind the scenes?" I just had to absolutely know the nitty-gritty of so many processes like metabolism, homeostasis, bacteria, etc. I was just naturally curious! Going into MBB gave me that depth of information that I was looking for, and exposure down to the molecular level made me appreciate the complexity and intricacy of what I was learning.
Do you have a favorite class/professor within your major?
Biochemistry with Dr. Monahan was definitely a course that I felt left the greatest impact on my choice as an MBB major. Despite grueling hours trying to memorize the Krebs Cycle or the ETC, I quickly realized that these were the answers I was looking for. For example, Gen Bio simply taught us that "neurons are covered in a myelin sheath", but again, I knew it wasn't that simple. Having learned about lipid biosynthesis and the synthesis of sphingomyelin (the myelin sheath) answered the question of "what's really going on behind the scenes?", and what I continued to learn only further satisfied that curiosity. Additionally, I had gained an appreciation behind the science as well: evolution has had ages to fine tune processes such as Glycolysis, and knowing the basis of these processes and how they deviate would be key to finding out how to treat them, and that only motivated me further.
What are your favorite academic experiences outside of your major? What are your other Rutgers activities?
Outside of campus, I frequent an archery club that I am part of and shoot a couple arrows with some friends. I also make it a point to hit the gym, which is one of my best stress relievers. If it's a more mellow day, I always love to cook and try new recipes, whether that be experimenting with different ingredients on my own or cooking with my mother and sister to whip up something we've never had before.
What are your plans following graduation?
After I graduate, I plan to apply to medical school and pursue an MD.