Krystal Harrison
Krystal Harrison is passionate about helping children.
Initially, the junior biology major wanted to become a pediatrician, but over time, her enthusiasm for science grew to include a fascination with research.
“Research is a lot about thinking, which I like,” she said. “If something doesn’t work out, it doesn’t mean you’ve failed or that you’re wrong. It means you haven’t found a piece of the puzzle.”
Ultimately, the Columbus, Ohio native wants to earn a doctorate in pediatric immunology or physiology and conduct studies at a top research institution while training the next generation of scientists.
While Harrison, 20, no longer wants to treat young patients, she still has a desire to help them by finding ways to combat the diseases that afflict them.
“I want to find medications that reduce the risk of disease and assist in curing life threatening diseases such as tuberculosis, malaria, pneumonia, childhood obesity and even diabetes,” she said. “I also want to increase awareness about such diseases within the community, both locally and globally.”
Harrison’s interest in science rose to new heights during her high school years.
“I was motivated by trying to fix things and find out why things work the way they do,” she said.
As a senior, she participated in an academic program that allowed her to take a biology course for college credit. The program also encouraged her to further explore career options in research.
Now, she looks to continue to build on that knowledge while conducting research that helps children live better. Harrison also views research as a way to give back to her community.
“I love giving back to others, helping people and working hard to insure that their health needs are met,” she said. “I really want to do something that impacts pediatrics and minorities, so doing research is a way that I can attack that as a whole.”
Back home in Ohio, Harrison was involved in community service and helping the children’s ministry at her church. Her family also served as a host family welcoming children from South Africa into their home and introducing them to American culture, while also embracing their culture.
“We learned from each other,” she said. “Giving back is about the reward of making others feel positive about themselves. In turn, that makes you feel good.”
During her college career, Harrison has conducted a variety of research. At the end of her freshman year, she worked with plant or evolution biology to figure out paternity and evolution of plant species at Michigan State University’s W. K. Kellogg Biological Station. This past summer, she studied diabetic retinopathy at the University of Michigan.
Currently, she continues to study diabetes as it relates to iron levels in mice with and without diabetes along with Dr. Jessica Han in research labs at North Carolina A&T.
“I’m gaining, not only hands-on experience, but a better understanding of what research really is,” Harrison said. “You don’t find a solution or a cure overnight. It takes time, and patients are key.”
