Victor Suarez, a senior studying biotechnology with a minor in chemistry and math, dedicates his time to being a research team leader for the governor's Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Scholars program. He is president of Tri-Beta Biological Honor Society, president of biotechnology club, resident assistant of Rogers Hall third floor, head tutor for ACCESS tutoring center, ambassador for the Garden State Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation Program (LSAMP), research peer adviser of CURF Office of Research and Sponsored Programs.
"The biotechnology club is a scientific outreach and enrichment program and it's a club on campus where we invite a lot of guest speakers to come into the classroom. We have also held a couple student presentations. We host scientific outreaches, and in the spring, we are planning to visit a middle school and provide scientific experiments with them. For the biological honors society, we do a lot of preparation for graduate school and community service, so this year one of our big events was a hygiene drive, which we promoted, and we donated to the women's coalition in Elizabeth," Suarez continued. "As an RA, I just provide the community and student researchers with the ability to find their roots on campus and get into graduate school."
One of Suarez' professor's who he looks up to, Dr. Salvatore Cognilio, expressed how dedicated Suarez is to his work.
"Victor is extremely hardworking and is able to multitask with the best of the undergraduate students I have observed so far. He has excellent time management skills," Cognilio explained.
When speaking of why he wanted to be involved at Kean, he explained that he wanted to make a difference and to learn more about his abilities.
"I wanted to get involved because I wanted to leave my mark on each organization, so for biotechnology club, I heard about it my freshman year, and it was the first club I joined on campus. I have been active ever since, to which junior year I found myself on the e-board. As for the other roles on campus, more or less they found me. Professors invited me to join the honors society and my friends who were RA's said I would be great at it. It's all about getting to know professors and friends."
Suarez believes that all of the organizations he is a part of will help him to become a doctor and has given him many internships and opportunities that he holds very dearly.
"I believe I have to speak it into existence because you have to be able to interact with people, and it's always good to give back to the community that has helped you grow, so that's why I'm always involved here. Kean has been my outlet for so many internships and opportunities so it's always important to thank those who have helped me."
"I came to Kean because I received a full scholarship and I am thankful that it has helped me along my way," he mentioned. "Go where your friends are because you will find organizations that speak to you. You may feel uncomfortable, but if you get involved in clubs and organizations, you will be able to break out of your shell."
Suarez wants students to make their opportunities their own!
