From the Audience to the Podium: The Power of KU’s Biotech Day

At the KU Edwards Campus, students are empowered to follow unique educational paths when they receive the personalized support they need to succeed. Kuljeet Kaur’s journey is a perfect example of how the combination of early exposure to the campus, a personalized academic plan, and strong mentorship can shape a student’s future.

Kaur, a senior working toward her degree in applied biological sciences, is already on track to make a meaningful impact in healthcare and her community. What’s even more impressive is how quickly she’s gotten there!

An Accelerated Path to a Biology Career

Kaur’s journey toward the sciences began long before she enrolled at KU Edwards. While at Olathe North High School, she participated in the Medical Professionals program, which fueled her passion for biological sciences. A motivated student, Kaur took numerous AP courses and graduated high school with an associate’s degree.

“Graduating high school with an associate’s degree gave me a solid foundation, and I knew that the next step was to continue my education,” Kaur shares. Her academic achievements prepared her for college-level coursework, and she chose the KU Edwards Campus because of the unique opportunities it offers. With a clear goal in mind to pursue a biology career, she found KU Edwards to be the ideal setting.

The Early Impact of Biotech Day

Kaur’s first introduction to the KU Edwards Campus came when she attended Biotech Day during high school. The event allowed her to explore the fields of biology and biotech in a hands-on way, giving her a deeper understanding of what the campus had to offer.

“I was introduced to the campus through Biotech Day and also attended the SciFlix movie events,” Kaur recalls. “It was then that I had the chance to tour the campus and learn more about the opportunities available here, and it was so close to home.” These early experiences helped her realize that KU Edwards was the right fit for her educational goals.

Once Kaur made her decision, academic advisor Renee Williams helped her create a personalized plan to graduate quickly while still enjoying the full college experience. “Renee Williams has been such an incredible advisor,” Kaur shares. “She helped me understand my options and made sure I had the support I needed to succeed. We worked together to create a plan that fit my goals and time frame perfectly.” This approach gave Kaur the confidence to transition smoothly into college and pursue her biology career.

The Power of Small Class Sizes and Hands-On Opportunities in Biotech

Kaur was drawn to KU Edwards in part because of its smaller class sizes. This creates a more collaborative environment where professors can facilitate more dynamic, hands-on learning experiences.

“Smaller class sizes have been amazing,” she explains. “It’s easier to build connections with professors, and the classes are much more interactive. We talk a lot with our classmates, which helps me learn better and feel more involved.”

These close-knit learning environments have allowed Kaur to gain valuable experience through independent projects. During her first year on campus, she completed a genetics lab project that gave her the opportunity to work autonomously and present her research in a professional way, skills she will carry into her biology career.

A Capstone Project with Real-World Impact in Biotechnology

As a senior, Kaur is currently working on her capstone project, which investigates curcumin, a compound found in turmeric, as a potential treatment for colorectal cancer. Her research, titled Natural Therapeutics, Flora: Turmeric – From Kitchen Spice to Cancer Fighter, delves into curcumin’s therapeutic properties and its ability to enhance current cancer therapies.

Kaur's study focuses on the effects of curcumin on both colorectal cancer cells and healthy cells. By testing various concentrations of curcumin, she aims to identify doses that effectively target cancer cells while leaving normal cells unharmed.

Her research could lead to the development of safer, more effective treatment options for colorectal cancer, offering hope for improved patient outcomes. The results may also contribute to advancing future cancer therapies.

The Future is Bright for Biotech Day Participants

Kaur’s long-term goal is to work in healthcare, focusing on addressing health disparities in underserved areas. She’s passionate about using her knowledge of biology to help increase healthcare access in her community.

“I want to help bridge the gap between low-income and more affluent communities in terms of healthcare access,” she says. “My goal is to educate people in underserved communities about health and wellness and create a stronger, more connected community right here in Kansas.”

Kaur’s time at KU Edwards has been full of hard work and clear goals for the future. With her senior capstone project in progress and a solid plan after graduation, she’s ready to make an impact in healthcare. She’s gained research experience, academic guidance, and important connections to help her reach her goals.

“The KU Edwards campus has really set me up for success,” Kaur says. “I feel prepared for the next steps in my biology career.”