Senior Honors student Kate McGlamry cares about the world and the people in it. She has done environmental conservation work in Costa Rica, she has done research to help people with pancreatic cancer, and she has worked to help victims of sexual assault. The recipient of numerous scholarships, she loves to cheer for the UGA football and gymnastics teams. After graduation, she plans to return to Costa Rica to work and gain experience in the field of wildlife conservation. Then she wants to use her knowledge to improve environmental protection programs in the United States and throughout other parts of the world. Eventually she would like to earn a Masters Degree of Public Health.
Hometown:
Atlanta, Ga.
High School:
Woodward Academy
Degree objective:
Bachelor of Science in Environmental Health Science
University highlights, achievements, awards and scholarships:
Upon entering the University of Georgia, I was accepted into the Honors Program and received the Charter Scholarship for academic excellence, leadership and community involvement throughout high school. During my freshman and sophomore years, I conducted undergraduate research in Dr. Michael Tiemeyer’s lab at the Complex Carbohydrate Research Center. My research was focused on finding early biomarkers for pancreatic cancer using Drosophila, otherwise known as fruit flies. Through the Honors Program, I was awarded the Howard and Jane Young CURO Summer Fellowship, which allowed me to continue researching full-time during the summer of 2008. My research was published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry in August 2008 as part of a paper titled “The Diversity of O-linked glycans expressed during Drosphila melanogaster development reflects stage- and tissue-specific requirements for cell signaling.” I also had the opportunity to present my research at the 2009 CURO Symposium.
In the spring of 2009, I studied abroad at the University of Georgia’s Costa Rica campus in San Luis, Costa Rica. There, I was able to take courses in ecology, anthropology and geology as well as travel throughout the country and learn about the culture and environmental ecosystems of the region. I was so moved by the environmental conservation work being done in the country that I have applied to work as a conservation volunteer in Costa Rica following graduation. After my semester in Costa Rica, I interned in Washington, D.C. as part of the Honors in Washington summer program at the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN), the nation’s largest anti-sexual assault organization. At RAINN, I spent time on the Online Hotline talking directly to victims of sexual assault and helping them to obtain the resources they needed to recover. I also conducted research designed to help improve RAINN’s training programs for Online Hotline volunteers. My Washington experience, though difficult at times and incredibly emotional, opened my eyes to the horrible sexual violence that occurs daily around the country. Back on UGA’s campus, I continued as a volunteer on the RAINN hotline. I have participated since my freshman year with the non-profit organization Invisible Children, serving on the Leadership Committee in 2007. This organization focuses on ending violence towards children in the Sudan and Northern Uganda. I am also a member of the Blue Key, Golden Key and Epsilon Nu Eta honor societies and am an Honors Ambassador.
Current Employment:
I am a student worker in the University of Georgia Honor’s Program. I assist the Honors Program with recruitment, sending out mailings and helping to prepare for Honors Program events.
Family Ties to UGA:
My mother went to undergraduate school here, and my father graduated from UGA’s law school. Along with my parents, two uncles and two aunts on my mother’s side also attended and graduated from UGA.
I chose to attend UGA because…
…of the Honors Program. I knew that I wanted to attend a big school, but I didn’t want to get lost in the crowd. The Honors Program offered me the benefits of a small school while also giving me the big school feel. Not only that, but the Honors Program offered me incredible research and internship opportunities that I knew would expand my college experience far beyond the classroom. Thanks to the HOPE Scholarship and UGA’s Honors Program, I have been able to obtain a first-class education without having to go into debt.
My favorite things to do on campus are…
…grab lunch at Tate II and eat outside on the picnic tables on a sunny day. There are so many people running around between classes that I can almost always find someone to eat and chat with me! However, on those special Saturdays in the fall, my favorite thing would definitely be going to Sanford Stadium and cheering for the Dawgs! I love the Gymdogs too, so any chance to watch them compete at the Coliseum is a treat.
When I have free time, I like…
…to go on a long run through campus or to swim at Ramsey. Exercising is my favorite way to de-stress after a long day, so whenever I have a free evening, I try to squeeze in a little work out. Athens has great weather during the spring and fall for running, and campus is the most beautiful place to take a jog.
The craziest thing I’ve done is…
…snorkeled with sea turtles off the coast of a deserted beach in Costa Rica. We were staying at Cabo Blanco, a nature reserve at the tip of the Nicola Peninsula, and everyday for a week, I snorkeled in a lagoon and swam so close to the turtles that I could reach out and touch them. It was incredible to see such huge turtles in their natural habitat and being that close to them is something that I will remember forever.
My favorite place to study is…
…the Main Library. There are small nooks on the fourth and fifth floor that look out onto Sanford Stadium. They are only big enough for two people. It is very peaceful sitting in those nooks, and it is nice to take breaks looking out over campus. Sitting there with a bag of Reece’s Pieces, I can study better than anywhere else.
My favorite professor is…
…John Pickering. Dr. Pickering taught me that ecology can not solely be taught by reading textbooks and learning facts, but has to include going into nature and observing it, from the largest bird to the smallest insect. He has inspired me to take chances and follow my instincts and to pursue my goal of working in environmental conservation.
If I could share an afternoon with anyone, I would love to share it with…
…my friend, Caroline Moulder. Caroline and I had always talked of coming to UGA together, but the summer before our freshman year, she was killed in a helicopter crash in route to visit her father in Afghanistan. She was the most incredible, unique person I have ever met, and she would have loved it here at UGA. I have so many stories to tell her about college, and I know that she would be excited about and proud of all the experiences I have had here at UGA. I couldn’t ask for a more special afternoon than that.
If I knew I could not fail, I would…
…become a rock star. Ever since I was little, I have been putting on performances for my family or singing in talent shows at school. I have played the guitar and sang for years and, if I knew I would go far, I would no doubt pursue a music career.
After graduation, I plan to…
…move to Costa Rica for 6 months to volunteer doing wildlife conservation. Ever since studying abroad, I have been itching to get back to Costa Rica, especially to do something positive for the environment. Costa Rica is a country that has taken incredible strides towards protecting their rich environmental diversity and I would like to be part of the progress. I hope to use the conservation skills I learn there to improve environmental protection programs in the United States and throughout other parts of the world. I would also like to earn a Master of Public Health degree once I return from Central America.
The one UGA experience I will always remember will be…
…when UGA won the football game against Florida in my sophomore year. The excitement and energy outside the game was incredible, and it was great to be part of something so special. I’ve always loved football and that was definitely the most spectacular game to watch. I’ve never been so proud to be a Georgia Bulldog!