The Science of Being Steadfast

Lauren McLean (COB ’18) possesses one essential trait every researcher needs in order to be successful.

No matter how long the odds seem to be, or how frustrated she becomes, she never quits. Ever.

“I really credit my parents,” McLean said. “When things are tough and I wonder if I can really do it, they are always there, telling me to go for my goals no matter how hard it seems.”

A quiet only child from Ontario, Canada, she wasn’t the typical candidate for a career in medicine or biosciences. Unlike many students, science is not in her DNA. McLean’s father is a television talk show host, her mother a hair dresser. “I was pretty much the only one who was interested in science. We don’t know where that came from,” she said with a smile.

McLean attended the College of Charleston in South Carolina where she majored in biology. She hoped to enter medical school directly after graduation, but despite her application to several programs she wasn’t accepted. “It’s hard getting those rejections,” McLean remembers. “You start to think, ‘well, maybe this isn’t for me.’ But there has always been something in me that keeps pushing through tough things, and it’s so helpful to have the support of my family.”

After college McLean volunteered in a hospital for a year, and she then took another gap year before coming 

to KCU to earn a master’s degree in biomedical science. McLean says she arrived with little experience in research and few lab skills. But as she describes it, she had the good fortune to be mentored by Asma Zaidi, PhD, interim vice chair of the KCU Basic Science Department. “Dr. Zaidi taught me how to think critically and problem solve as well as helping me improve my presentation skills and learn how to communicate complicated work,” McLean said.

In Dr. Zaidi’s opinion, McLean was a natural. “She is very smart and has great aptitude for research,” said Dr. Zaidi. “She has a soft touch and a precision when performing techniques. Beyond that she is always cheerful and smiling; enthusiastic about her work and life in general. She’s a joy to be around.”

In Dr. Zaidi’s lab, McLean researched the neurological effects of an antioxidant compound called edaravone on Parkinson’s disease. During her research, she found that the drive to keep pushing is a key skill for scientists. “You have to have a lot of patience. A lot of the experiments don’t happen in an hour or in a day. They can take weeks and you have to learn to stick through it and not give up easily and walk away.”

As a result of her hard work, extraordinary attitude and her 4.0 grade point average, McLean 

was awarded the Dean’s Research Scholarship, covering half of her tuition for the second year of her program. “I am grateful for that,” she said. “It really helped take the financial stress away. I was able to focus on the research instead of getting a job.”

McLean gained the skills and confidence to enter her research into KCU’s 26th annual Research Symposium held on campus March 21. “Her drive to succeed showed me she is a fighter and a winner,” said Dr. Zaidi. “It is one thing to do experiments and collect data, but it requires a whole different skill set to present research publicly in front an audience of 800 people including experts in the field.”

“I was definitely nervous at first,” McLean remembers. “But Dr. Zaidi practiced with me, gave a lot of suggestions and helped me prepare.” She went on to win the KCU Student Award for Research after delivering the highest scoring oral presentation. “It was a thrill,” McLean said. “I still can’t believe it. I woke up the next morning and said ‘Did this really happen?’”

Following graduation, McLean will finally achieve her dream of attending medical school, and will happily fulfill that dream at KCU-COM in Kansas City. This time, she feels much more prepared. “Thanks to this program my 

biology section kind of skyrocketed last summer when I retook the MCAT,” she laughed.

McLean hopes to pursue a career in internal medicine, or general surgery. Her experience in the lab at KCU awakened a desire to integrate research into whatever path she takes. “If I had gone right into med school I would never have had this research experience and wouldn’t have discovered it’s something I’d like to continue doing in the future. Making new discoveries, looking at things nobody else has seen and collaborating with other scientists is exciting to me,” she said.

McLean has come a long way toward achieving her goal; one that seemed almost impossible at one point. She has a bit of advice for others in her situation who may be thinking about giving up.

“I say stay determined, surround yourself with positive and supportive people and don’t be afraid to ask for advice. Give yourself the freedom to step back and refresh your mind and attitude. For me, taking two gap years after college reignited my passion and dedication to pursue a career in medicine, and I couldn’t see myself doing anything else.”