{"id":32164,"date":"2026-10-06T11:01:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-06T16:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/letters-science\/?p=32164"},"modified":"2026-10-05T05:17:35","modified_gmt":"2026-10-05T10:17:35","slug":"three-stem-students-pursued-their-passions-at-uwm-by-always-dreaming-bigger","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/letters-science\/in-focus-2026\/three-stem-students-pursued-their-passions-at-uwm-by-always-dreaming-bigger\/","title":{"rendered":"Three STEM students pursued their passions at UWM by always dreaming bigger"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>These stories<\/em> <em>are part of the &#8220;Always Dream Bigger&#8221; series, written to celebrate the inauguration of UW-Milwaukee Chancellor Thomas Gibson.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Gibson\u2019s own path in life exceeded his earliest expectations, and he encourages students to seek out new opportunities.&nbsp;The UWM students and alumni in these stories share what it means to them to Always Dream Bigger at UWM.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-recent-uwm-physics-grad-sees-the-value-of-persistence\" class=\"wp-block-heading size-h4\"><strong>Recent UWM physics grad sees the value of persistence<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"uwm-c-img--caption-gray\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"720\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/letters-science\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/255\/2026\/09\/nick-nelson750x500-dream-bigger-20260721_TCF_IMC_2938.webp\" alt=\"A man sits in front of a black screen that shows the night sky and a green celestial object.\" class=\"wp-image-32168\" srcset=\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/letters-science\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/255\/2026\/09\/nick-nelson750x500-dream-bigger-20260721_TCF_IMC_2938.webp 720w, https:\/\/uwm.edu\/letters-science\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/255\/2026\/09\/nick-nelson750x500-dream-bigger-20260721_TCF_IMC_2938-300x200.webp 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><figcaption>Nick Nelson changed colleges and his career path shortly into his freshman year. He began as a mechanical engineering major but soon transferred to UWM to study physics. He earned his bachelor\u2019s degree in physics in May and begins the doctoral program in astronomy at the University of Virgina in Charlottesville this fall. (UWM Photo\/Troye Fox)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nick\u202fNelson began college as a mechanical engineering major. But just weeks into his freshman year, he realized he was much more interested in physics, a major that his engineering-focused school didn\u2019t offer. He began researching other\u202funiversities,\u202fand UW-Milwaukee\u202fimmediately\u202fcaught his eye.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI saw that UWM has a fantastic physics program, and I knew I liked the campus and the area around it,\u201d Nelson said. He also was reassured by the wide range of\u202fmajors\u202fat\u202fUWM. \u201cI knew that if for whatever reason physics didn\u2019t work out, I\u2019d be able to find something eventually that clicked for me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Physics\u202fdid in fact\u202fclick\u202ffor him. Nelson especially enjoyed his courses with Philip Chang, a physics professor who specializes in theoretical astrophysics and cosmology.\u202fIntrigued by the possibilities of undergraduate research, Nelson\u202fasked Chang if he could work with him on a&nbsp;research project.\u202fThe professor asked him to come back in a year or two, explaining that he\u202ftypically\u202fsupervises&nbsp;students&nbsp;who are more advanced in their coursework, an advantage for theoretical and computational research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A few months later, Nelson attended a meeting for physics majors and faculty, where Chang mentioned students\u2019 future careers.\u202f\u201cHe told us that to be successful in physics and astronomy, one of the main things you need is persistence,\u201d Nelson recounted. \u201cRight after that meeting, I went up to him and said, \u2018You said\u202fwe\u202fneed to be persistent. Are you sure I\u202fcan\u2019t\u202fresearch with you?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Read the full story on <a href=\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/news\/recent-uwm-grad-sees-the-value-of-persistence\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/news\/recent-uwm-grad-sees-the-value-of-persistence\/\">UWM Report<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-uwm-helps-student-grow-her-love-of-science-and-her-confidence\" class=\"wp-block-heading size-h4\"><strong>UWM helps student grow her love of science \u2013 and her confidence<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"uwm-c-img--caption-gray\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"720\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/letters-science\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/255\/2026\/09\/ALLY-RUFFINO-in-Lab750x500.webp\" alt=\"A woman in a white lab coat works with liquid in a beaker in a lab.\" class=\"wp-image-32165\" srcset=\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/letters-science\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/255\/2026\/09\/ALLY-RUFFINO-in-Lab750x500.webp 720w, https:\/\/uwm.edu\/letters-science\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/255\/2026\/09\/ALLY-RUFFINO-in-Lab750x500-300x200.webp 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><figcaption>Ally Ruffino worked on research involving bacteriophage, a virus type that infects and replicates inside bacteria, in the lab of Alita Burmeister, assistant professor of biological sciences. (Photo courtesy of Ally Ruffino)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After she graduated from UW-Milwaukee in May, Ally Ruffino moved to the Washington area to take a fellowship conducting research at the National Institutes of Health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She recently was riding the Metro train around the city when she had a realization about this new phase of her life. \u201cI was sitting there thinking, \u2018Oh, younger me would be really impressed,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Back in high school, Ruffino discovered that she loved science and completed an independent research project on bacteriophage, a virus type that infects and replicates inside bacteria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So she was especially excited to arrive at UWM for college and meet Alita Burmeister, assistant professor of biological sciences, who conducts research on phage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI thought I knew a lot about phage, but I didn\u2019t know anything,\u201d said Ruffino, who grew up in St. Louis. \u201cI looked at her and thought, \u2018I want to be this person!\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Read the full story on <a href=\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/news\/uwm-helps-student-grow-her-love-of-science-and-her-confidence\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/news\/uwm-helps-student-grow-her-love-of-science-and-her-confidence\/\">UWM Report<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-undergraduate-research-gives-student-new-career-possibilities\" class=\"wp-block-heading size-h4\"><strong>Undergraduate research gives student new career possibilities<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"uwm-c-img--caption-gray\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"720\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/letters-science\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/255\/2026\/10\/jehiel-smith750x500-20260825_TCF_IMC_8536.webp\" alt=\"A young Black man wearing a lab coat and safety glasses uses a pipette while a white woman in a white lab coat looks on. They are in a bioscience lab.\" class=\"wp-image-32277\" srcset=\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/letters-science\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/255\/2026\/10\/jehiel-smith750x500-20260825_TCF_IMC_8536.webp 720w, https:\/\/uwm.edu\/letters-science\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/255\/2026\/10\/jehiel-smith750x500-20260825_TCF_IMC_8536-300x200.webp 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><figcaption>A\u202fneuroscience major, Jehiel Smith\u202fworks\u202fin the lab of\u202fElizabeth Liedhegner, assistant professor of biomedical science, studying a cell model of diabetic retinopathy. One of their goals is to understand how high glucose alters protein expression involved in blood vessel growth and inflammation. (UWM Photo\/Troye Fox)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Back when&nbsp;Jehiel Smith&nbsp;was in middle school,&nbsp;the movies&nbsp;\u201cHidden Figures\u201d and \u201cBlack Panther\u201d celebrated&nbsp;Black people&nbsp;with&nbsp;expertise&nbsp;in STEM fields.&nbsp;\u201cThose movies were big&nbsp;for my age group and my culture,\u201d he said.&nbsp;But as much as he admired those characters, their knowledge felt&nbsp;out of reach.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He&nbsp;considered&nbsp;working in&nbsp;healthcare,&nbsp;perhaps as&nbsp;a doctor.&nbsp;He spent his teenage years as his mother\u2019s primary caregiver, helping her cope with multiple chronic&nbsp;conditions. Those experiences led him to earn&nbsp;his&nbsp;nursing assistant certification&nbsp;at age 17,&nbsp;which&nbsp;allowed him to work&nbsp;at&nbsp;a&nbsp;nursing&nbsp;facility&nbsp;in&nbsp;his neighborhood in&nbsp;Greenfield.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">During&nbsp;high school, Smith&nbsp;also&nbsp;met&nbsp;the founders of&nbsp;Pipeline to Practice, a&nbsp;Milwaukee&nbsp;nonprofit that supports&nbsp;American&nbsp;descendants&nbsp;of&nbsp;slavery&nbsp;in their efforts to&nbsp;become doctors. When cofounder Dr. Delicia Randle-Izard&nbsp;learned&nbsp;about&nbsp;Smith\u2019s experience working with older adults, she&nbsp;encouraged&nbsp;him to&nbsp;attend&nbsp;UW-Milwaukee&nbsp;and&nbsp;apply to&nbsp;its <a href=\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/undergraduate-research\/programs\/success-through-aging-research\/\">Success Through Aging Research<\/a>&nbsp;program. Funded by the National Institute&nbsp;on Aging, the program gives UWM undergraduate students&nbsp;funding,&nbsp;academic&nbsp;support and&nbsp;the chance to&nbsp;work&nbsp;on mentored research projects related to aging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Smith&nbsp;was&nbsp;initially hesitant. \u201cI thought,&nbsp;\u2018There\u2019s&nbsp;no way&nbsp;I\u2019m&nbsp;going to do well in research,\u2019\u201d he said. \u201cI&nbsp;just want to help people feel better.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Read the full story on <a href=\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/news\/undergraduate-research-gives-student-new-career-possibilities\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/news\/undergraduate-research-gives-student-new-career-possibilities\/\">UWM Report<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>By Erin O&#8217;Donnell, Marketing &amp; Communications<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>These stories are part of the &#8220;Always Dream Bigger&#8221; series, written to celebrate the inauguration of UW-Milwaukee Chancellor Thomas Gibson. Gibson\u2019s own path in life exceeded his earliest expectations, and he encourages students to seek out new opportunities.&nbsp;The UWM students &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":785,"featured_media":32280,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","uwm_wg_additional_authors":[]},"categories":[1848,1648,1961,1954,1846],"tags":[1860],"class_list":["post-32164","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-alumni-student-news","category-in-focus","category-in-focus-2026","category-natural-sciences","category-research-news","tag-october"],"uwm_unpublish_requested":false,"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v28.6 (Yoast SEO v28.6) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Letters &amp; Science<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/letters-science\/in-focus-2026\/three-stem-students-pursued-their-passions-at-uwm-by-always-dreaming-bigger\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Three STEM students pursued their passions at UWM by always dreaming bigger\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"These stories are part of the &#8220;Always Dream Bigger&#8221; series, written to celebrate the inauguration of UW-Milwaukee Chancellor Thomas Gibson. 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