UMPI senior Bonnie Corey (left) is pictured here with UMPI professor Dr. Judith Roe

    This issue’s Student Spotlight features UMPI senior Bonnie Corey. Bonnie is majoring in biology, with a concentration in pre-medicine and minors in physical science and chemistry. She is a Presque Isle native, having graduated from Presque Isle High School in 2014. Upon graduation from UMPI, Bonnie will study to become a doctor at the Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Lillington, N.C.

    In addition to being an excellent student, Bonnie is involved in organizations on campus. She is currently president of the Biomedical Club and vice-president of the Red Cross Club. In the past she served as vice-president of Partners for World Health and event coordinator for College Republicans. She has also been involved in research projects with UMPI professors Larry Feinstein, Jason Johnston and Judith Roe, studying lichen in the north Maine woods and collecting, examining and studying the fecal samples of birds (a project for which she obtained a federal banding sub-permit). Bonnie has presented on her research at conferences, including the Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory Science Symposium and the International Arctic Change Conference in Quebec, Canada.

    Furthermore, throughout her time at UMPI, Bonnie has held a number of jobs. She has worked as a phlebotomist at The Aroostook Medical Center, as a behavioral health professional at Addison Point Agency and as a tutor in the UMPI Center for Innovative Learning, where she is the ace science tutor.

    Bonnie says she chose UMPI for college because it is close, convenient and affordable and because the university offers abundant research opportunities for students. Some of her favorite courses she has taken at UMPI include microbiology with Feinstein and genetics with Roe. During her time at UMPI Bonnie has also been a recipient of the university’s Mathematics-Science Academic Achievement Scholarship.

    For hobbies Bonnie enjoys alpine skiing, snowboarding, watching Netflix and playing disc golf. She attends the Presque Isle Wesleyan Church and enjoys eating and hanging out at local establishments The Warehouse (Caribou), Irish Setter Pub, and Ruby Tuesday. Her favorite food is tacos. Her favorite television show is “Dexter.” She enjoys hip-hop, pop, rap and Justin Bieber’s music. Her dream vacation is a trip to Florida. Moreover, Bonnie will be the first person in her family to attain a bachelor’s degree.

    Bonnie is looking forward to graduating from UMPI in May and beginning her studies at Campbell University in July. She thinks she will enjoy the warmer weather in North Carolina and will enjoy medical school. She has been interested in medicine since the age of 7, when her aunt, an aspiring nurse, would tell Bonnie stories of her nursing school studies. In middle school Bonnie decided that, specifically, she wanted to be a doctor. At this point, she is thinking about specializing in surgery or emergency medicine. She possibly would like to do her residency in Virginia.

    Bonnie is a driven and successful person. The AmeriCorner congratulates her on her achievements and wishes her luck in her medical school journey in North Carolina.