Ben had an unconventional start to college life in Fall 2020, when COVID-19 restrictions left many students confined to dorm rooms instead of bustling lecture halls and study groups. It was this disrupted experience that later drew him to the BSLAS + MS in Integrative Biology program, which provided him a unique opportunity to reclaim and redefine his college journey. “It offered me a chance to experience my fourth real year of college,” Ben said. “The program gave me a second chance at something I had missed out on.”
Ben first heard about the program through a presentation by Program Director Allison O’Dwyer. Her genuine, student-centered approach stood out. “She made it clear that the program was flexible, supportive, and forward-thinking. That made all the difference,” Ben said. As a combined degree that could be completed in just one additional year, it offered a head start on graduate coursework and opened doors to experiences like study abroad, which he fulfilled with a trip to Panama through IB 496 Tropical Forest Ecology with Professor Jim Dalling.
Day-to-day life in the program gave Ben a refreshing departure from the rigid exam-heavy structure of undergraduate coursework. Graduate classes prioritized research, presentations, and projects—learning formats that allowed him to explore topics deeply and build real-world skills. He became proficient in R programming during his final project for IB 517 Analysis of Biological Data in R with Professor Becky Fuller, describing the experience as “like hacking into the matrix.” The program also created an environment rich in passion and inspiration, thanks to faculty and visiting speakers who shared not only their research but also their enthusiasm for discovery.
Ben credits much of his success to mentors like Allison O’Dwyer, as well as faculty including Carla Cáceres, James O’Dwyer, and Becky Fuller, who reshaped seminar courses to address timely global issues, giving students a deeper understanding of how biology intersects with real-world policy and societal challenges.
While Ben didn't pursue a heavy research track during the master’s portion of his studies, he still conducted meaningful work on topics like Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and conservation biology in Urbana-Champaign. With plans to take the MCAT and pursue medical school, Ben sees the program as a foundation that sets him apart in a competitive field.
SIB celebrates its first BSLAS + MS in IB cohort and is excited to welcome a new cohort that has recently doubled in size. Ben’s story is just the beginning. His experience captures the program’s potential to change lives, redefine academic paths, and equip students with the knowledge, confidence, and flexibility they need for the future.