Kayla Sompel named Outstanding Senior in Biology


Kayla Sompel, a biology, pre-medical sciences major and chemistry minor, was named Outstanding Senior in Biology by department faculty. Kayla was recognized for her scholarship, leadership and service. Kayla has extensive health care experience. Kayla participated in the Primary Care Scholars Program at Penn State College of Medicine and in the Johns Hopkins International Medical Aid Program in Mombasa, Kenya. Kayla is a campus leader serving as the president of the Pre-medical Sciences Club, president of Students Helping Honduras, public relations chair of Phi Sigma Pi Academic Honor Fraternity, and treasurer of Tri-Beta, the biology honor society. She has conducted melanoma research in the laboratory of Dr. Angela Hess, and has garnered research grants from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania University Biologists, the Pennsylvania Academy of Sciences, and Bloomsburg University. Kayla’s outstanding achievements have been recognized by a host of honors and awards including dean’s list, the St. Luke’s Medical Trustee Award, the Department of Biological and Allied Health Sciences Scholarship, and the David and Roberta Soltz Scholarship. Kayla serves her community by volunteering at events at St. Luke’s Hospital, coaching youth cheerleading, participating in Relay for Life and in Bloomsburg University’s Big Event, bagging lunches for a local charity, and conducting fundraisers to purchase malaria nets for Haiti. Kayla has accepted a position in the Division of Pulmonary Sciences and Critical Care Medicine at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus where she will study chemopreventative drugs for patients at high risk for lung cancer. She plans to apply to medical school and pursue both an MD/DO and an MPH program.  Kayla’s goal is to pursue a career in family medicine with a specialty in global health to provide primary care to underserved communities.

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