Create an OWU Connection When You Invest in the Ohio Wesleyan Fund!
Hometown
Dublin, Ohio
Major
OWU Connection Experience
Ava received an OWU Connection grant to spend the academic year researching the effects of the trace element selenium on the growth factors of white button mushrooms and the growing conditions for optimum selenium absorption. Selenium is vital to humans, and studies have shown beneficial effects of selenium in white button mushrooms for preventing neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's.
Finding out I had been awarded the grant after doing a copious amount of research to support my hypothesis … was a truly gratifying moment where I felt that the OWU faculty had as much faith in my research as I did.
Ava's Faculty Mentor
Assistant Professor of Chemistry Kayce Tomcho. "I chose (to work with) Dr. Tomcho because she's a wonderful human being who is great to work with, and she has extensive knowledge and experience in mRNA expression and analysis."
After Graduation
"I plan to take a gap year to work and gain experience and funding to attend either medical or graduate school. OWU is helping me prepare to reach my goals by providing me with the resources to get a job and apply to medical and graduate programs."