What are the students saying about the new Life Sciences Building?
“There is a lot of space for students to work and get things done, both in and out of the classroom.”
“The building is really pretty when it lights up. It is beautiful at night. There is wonderful technology that we can use for all mediums.” — Savannah Gibson ’14 Biology
—Greg Stelmach ’14 Business Administration
“ I think it’s a sign of the College’s continued success into the future. Also, there are a lot of windows which I think will promote learning.” —Zach Page ’14, Zoo Science
Horizons: Why did you want to work in the life sciences? Mullin: My story is interesting; in elementary and high school I was convinced I would only pursue the physical sciences or engineering. I served as a cadet in the local First Aid and Rescue Squad in my hometown in New Jersey from age 16 to 18. My town was within commuting distance of New York and many professionals were not around during the days, requiring a different volunteer work-force. My volunteer experience and a fabulous mentor who happened to be a registered pharmacist from Columbia University, helped me decide to switch my major from chemistry to pharmacy. Horizons: What do you love about this area? Mullin: Taking science, which I love, and using it to help people. So much so that I
“No matter what life science discipline you pursue, be ‘fanatically passionate’ about your studies and work.”
left the clinical setting of a hospital to work as an intern for the U.S. Public Health Service and joined a global medicine and vaccine manufacturer. My career allowed me to be a part of making medicines and vaccines for tens of millions of patients around the world, I retired from Merck as a vice president for quality.
Horizons: What is the most inspiring or positive experience you’ve had working in the life sciences? Mullin: In 2006, I was part of a manufacturing team that launched four new and innovative vaccine products. These products led to very significant improvements in public health by radically reducing the risk for cervical cancer, shingles, chicken pox and rotavirus, where an estimated 500,000 babies die each year from rotavirus and medical care is not readily available. In the 1980s, I was a production supervisor making an innovative antibiotic. My youngest sister, who had cystic fibrosis, ended up using the new antibiotic when other antibiotics failed in treating her infections. Whether it is one person you are able to help, or millions of people through vaccination campaigns, I could not imagine a more enriching career.
S P R I N G 2 0 1 4 | HORIZONS 9