MS-RSM Graduate Accepted into PhD Program

As April wraps up, students around the world complete final exams, submit papers, prepare for graduation, and make difficult decisions about what is next. While much of life is on hold, graduate school application processes continue, including the last part of the application cycle for the Master's of Science in Reproductive Science and Medicine. 

Please join the Center for Reproductive Science in congratulating MS-RSM alumna Hyebin Roh (MS, 2019) for being admitted into the biomedical PhD program with the Driskill Graduate Program in Life Sciences. 

 We asked Hyebin to reflect upon her experiences with CRS, what she has been up to nowadays, and what the future holds for her:

1. What initially inspired you to apply to PhD programs?

My last three months of my masters was really memorable. I truly owned my project. I was able to explain my reasoning and assumptions and was able to get over the fear of criticism. These last three months of my masters showed how much I grew as a researcher and as a person as well. I applied for PhD because I didn’t want my growth to stop there. My time at Northwestern was very challenging but after seeing the fruit of my hard work, I had to continue my training.

2. How did involvement with CRS/MS-RSM help you reach this next step?

I was very active during my time at Northwestern. I was involved in planning the annual Reproductive Science and Medicine Summit, TGS student parent advisory board, Chicago Women in STEM, received leadership coaching from Kellogg etc. Being part of CRS, I was exposed to many opportunities that I would not have had unless I was MS-RSM student.

3. What have you been doing between your time with CRS and now?

I gained some experience in a lot of different aspects of medicine and research. The only area I had no experience was clinical research. That is how I began working at the University of Chicago, Department of Hematology and Oncology, as a Clinical Research Coordinator for the Genitourinary program.

4. What are your research interests? Do you plan to continue research in this field?

I decided to keep my research interest broad as I did not want to limit my experience. During my time in MS-RSM, I found myself more of a cell/cancer biologist than reproductive scientist especially with my thesis lab being in ovarian cancer, so I am interested in cell biology and learning about cell/protein structures. I hope to gain more programming skills and explore all the various options DGP has to offer e.g. teaching, Kellogg summer program, consulting, etc.  

5. What advice would you give to people who are thinking about grad school and PhD programs?

Think about your options without making a decision for a while. Everybody’s experience does not fit in to one or two formula. I was set to go to medical school for the longest time until I became more self-aware and realized I like to be creative and work alone. Don’t let that social pressure of having a plan of next steps rush you into a long path that you may not enjoy. It’s okay to explore and be a bit older when you finally decide on a path. My father started his PhD in his late 30s!

6. What are your future academic and career plans?

I am interested in staying in academia, teaching at a smaller university, industry, and non-scientific careers. I just know PhD is the right path for me now and I can picture it leading to all the different paths I may be interested in the future.

7. How have you been spending your time during the COVID-19 pandemic?

I am currently working from home with my 2 month-old baby and my preschooler son. I am also trying to teach my son how to read so fingers crossed! Multitasking at the more extreme level!