When Taylor Opolka graduated high school and began thinking about choosing a college major, she chose a field she was familiar with- nursing. She already had some experience in the healthcare industry through her high school’s career tech program and thought nursing would be a natural fit.
However, in her sophomore year at Davenport, she realized that her interest and passion were taking her in a different direction.
“After I began my nursing degree, I realized how much I adored my hard science classes like chemistry and cell biology,” said Opolka. “That’s when I realized that a career in science was something I wanted to explore. I transferred to the biological laboratory science (BLS) program, and my love of science grew from there.”
Opolka graduated from Davenport in 2023 with a degree in BLS and is currently in her second year of graduate school at the University of Notre Dame.
When she learned of an orientation Davenport’s BLS department was hosting, Opolka was eager to speak to students and expose them to the possibilities that exist beyond a bachelor’s degree.
“I think that the graduate research route of higher education is a vastly underrepresented option for students compared to medical and professional schools,” said Opolka. “Graduate school offers a route to explore specific interests and curiosities, and I want to advocate for that. I also want them to know they should never underestimate themselves and never let someone tell them that there is only one correct path. They should follow their passions wherever they lead.”
The BLS orientation introduced first-year and transfer students to the program and exposed them to university resources, graduate degrees and career opportunities.
“This orientation was an opportunity for BLS students to meet the faculty and staff and learn about important resources available to them,” said Dr. Dan Palmatier, Science Department chair. “They also learned about some of the amazing career opportunities they can choose from after they graduate, including biotechnology, pharmaceutical science research, forensics, environmental science, wildlife biology, health care and so much more.”
First-year and transfer students entering the BLS program also heard from current students, library staff, career services, and alumni, who all shared essential resources and advice on how to be successful at Davenport and beyond.
Opolka said one of the things that helped her be successful at Davenport was the small class sizes. She appreciated the one-on-one interaction she and her classmates had with Davenport professors due to the smaller class sizes, particularly in the BLS program.
“Those small classes allowed me to form some incredible long-lasting relationships with my professors at Davenport that helped shape the trajectory of my academic career and assisted me in reaching my goals,” she said.
When she wasn’t in the classroom learning how to be a scientist, she could be found on the basketball court as a member of the Davenport women’s basketball team. She said being a part of the team showed her how much she was capable of and that there weren’t many challenges she couldn’t overcome if she put her mind to it.
“My experience on the basketball team helped me build skills that have translated to my graduate career: skills like collaboration, creative thinking, and perseverance. It is an experience that has shaped me foundationally, personally and has contributed to my success as a graduate student,” she said.
She was also a member of the Health and Science Pre-Professional Organization, served as a science tutor and worked as a science laboratory assistant.
At Notre Dame, she is conducting laboratory research that focuses on studying the origins of life at the molecular level. She is also thankful to have been given the opportunity to attend the annual Astrobiology Graduate Conference at Cornell University this past spring, where graduate researchers gather to unravel the mysteries of life on Earth and other planets.
Opolka is about to take her Ph.D. candidacy exam, and if all goes according to plan, she will complete her research and defend her thesis by 2028.
She said she is a firm believer in the importance and necessity of science to our society.
“I think the scientific field as a whole is such an awe-inspiring thing,” Opolka said. “There are so many avenues that one can choose to pursue, and regardless of what one chooses, one will be making discoveries that will help advance our understanding of the world around us – whether that be unraveling the origins of life or discovering the next high-impact therapeutic. There is just so much more to learn and know despite what has been accomplished already, and that is an incredibly thrilling prospect.”
When her time at Notre Dame comes to a close, Opolka hopes to pass on her knowledge and love of science to the next generation as a faculty member at the collegiate level.
“Being a woman from a small town, I often felt like the odds were a bit against me when trying to break into the scientific field, but having a support system of incredible mentors to help me grow my knowledge and guide me toward my goals made all the difference,” Opolka said. “I hope to serve as a similar support for students in the future.”
Click here to learn more about Davenport’s biological laboratory science program.
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