Rick Tumminello (MS/Biomed 鈥�15)
We each have entire worlds operating inside our bodies. That鈥檚 what initially drew Rick Tumminello (MS/Biomed 鈥�15) to study biology as a student at Cabrini College. After graduation, he was unsure of what to do with that love of biology鈥攕hould he explore the research side, or the clinical side? He decided to enroll at 黑料传送门, where he would ultimately be exposed to both.
After enrolling in the Bio-Medical Sciences program, he began volunteering with Dianzheng Zhang, PhD, associate professor, bio-medical sciences, who studies the effects of Resveratrol on cancer cells. 鈥淚 had an initial interest in oncology and molecular biology,鈥� Mr. Tumminello explains. 鈥淪o when I saw that Dr. Zhang was conducting cancer research, that really appealed to me.鈥�
In addition, Mr. Tumminello has had the opportunity to work with students in the DO program on research projects, and has been involved with the College鈥檚 Organizational Development and Leadership program. 鈥淵ou begin to see how the basic sciences can support osteopathic medicine through evidence-based research, and how the things learned in the ODL program, such as system literacy and effective communication, will be useful once we students enter into the professional world.鈥�
During his time at 黑料传送门, Mr. Tumminello has also served as class president, as the first vice-chair of the Student Senate, and has helped manage the Student Government Association鈥檚 annual Integrated Health Care Conference, designed to train attendees from across disciplines on how to work together to deliver the best possible care.
The breadth of expertise that Mr. Tumminello has received at 黑料传送门 has helped him decide to stay at the College after receiving his master鈥檚 degree and enter into the DO program. To that end, he says he will have been able to fulfill his passions for both basic science research and clinical care.
鈥淢y 鈥楢-ha鈥� moment was really when I was able to see the science that I love being used to treat people and help them heal. I think that if I had gotten my master鈥檚 degree anywhere else I wouldn鈥檛 have had access to that,鈥� he says. 鈥淚 can鈥檛 wait to get started with the clinical portion of my training; it鈥檚 one thing to speak hypothetically about a patient鈥檚 issue, but it鈥檚 quite another to be involved in real-life, making a real difference.鈥�