Kiana Bagnell is busy. As a student, she is double majoring in biochemistry and biomedical science with a focus in pre-med while minoring in psychology. As a student leader, she is president of ACS[American Chemistry Society], vice president of the biology club, the SACP/SSP Student Affiliates Secretary, a member of the NOA Committee and a member of the Ad Hoc Committee.

Speaking about her work with on-campus organizations, Bagnell said, “That’s the one thing; doing that has really kind of opened me up as I have to talk to people. It’s been stressful, but it’s also giving me a break from school, and I can just think, ‘ Oh, I need to make a list for this and go shopping.’ It’s just relaxing.”

At first, Bagnell said she had to adjust to working with other students to run the ACS. “At the beginning, I was stressing myself out because I felt like I had to do everything because I’m that type of person that if I let somebody else do it, it might not be done to my standards or the way I do it. So, that kind of took a little bit of changing, but with like [Dr. Evonne] Baldauff’s help, I kind of like relaxed a bit, and realized that I don’t have to do it all myself and there are five other people and Baldauff that can help me with it.”

Bagnell also said a significant factor that helped her step out of her comfort zone was the size of Waynesburg University’s academic programs. “I think for me, I am a big introvert, so having big classes and just a lot of people really stresses me out,” she said. “Especially with the upper-level courses, there’s only like 10 of us, and I’m really close with all of the professors in the Chem Department and some of the ones in the biology department. But I can literally go to them for anything, whether it’s school or anything like that. So, I just feel like I’m just so close to everybody.”

Bagnell has always been drawn to chemistry. She recalled enjoying her Organic Chemistry class with Dr. Takashi Suyama, a class that, according to her, is notoriously difficult even for majors. She said that chemistry truly clicked for her was in her Analytical Chemistry class “…which I took last semester, but it was actually the first chemistry class that I actually got an A in at the end of the semester. It was really the first one that I thoroughly enjoyed, like lab and lecture. So that kind of helped regain my motivation for chemistry and biology, even if there’s not a lot in the analytical.

Assistant Professor of Biology and Bagnell’s professor, Dr. Christian Hayes, emphasized Bagnell’s grit and determination to push through difficult work when it was presented to her. “I know she struggles with certain things, but she perseveres through those struggles,” he said. “So, sometimes she struggled with a few things and talked to me about it, but she persevered. She got the work done, and even though it wasn’t fun, it wasn’t great, she still persevered.”

For the last two years, Bagnell has been working on a research project. Initially guided by Suyama, Bagnell has carried on alone since he departed from the University, under the supervision of her advisor, Dr. Heidi Fletcher. 

“So, my research project is called ‘Antimicrobial and the Cytotoxic Properties of Bacteria Found on the Northern Diamondback Terrapin.’ Basically, I’m taking bacteria that grows on a specific species of turtle, growing it and then testing its properties to see if it could potentially be used to help treat cancer.”

Over her journey, Bagnell’s path has changed slightly. “Originally, I was a forensic science major,” she said. “So, I guess after my freshman year, I kind of changed. I wanted to get to the same point, but a different path. So, I guess the path I’m in now is kind of more focused on going to like med school and stuff, which is where I wanted to go. But I just think this way it’ll benefit me more.”

As her focus shifted, Bagnell discovered what she was truly interested in. 

“So, my main goal was to work in a forensics lab, but then taking Intro to Forensics here with [Michael] Cipoletti, one of the chapters was strictly on autopsies,” she said. “And so, we watched a video of an autopsy, and that’s what clicked that I needed to change my major because I didn’t want to go into the lab anymore.” 

“I want to work at a coroner’s office,” Bagnell said. “Over the summer, I did an internship in Harrisburg at a coroner’s office, and that kind of just solidified things. And so, I know exactly what I want to do, but now I decided not to go to med school.”

Hayes added, “I appreciate she really does love learning. She loves lots of things that other people don’t like. I mean, she wants to do, say, coroner stuff. I think chemistry coroner stuff; most people don’t want to. So I think she and I share a love for lots of organismal things that other people don’t care about.”

Reflecting on her time at Waynesburg University, Bagnell concluded by advising new students. “Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone,” she said. “That’s a big thing that I’ve learned, especially having a twin in high school. You’re always with them, but then coming here, being in a whole different state, it’s like I’m on my own. And so, I always tried to just do what I knew, and I think a big thing is, especially at any college, you got to step out; try something new. And it has definitely helped. So, I’m a lot happier than I was. That’s a good thing.”