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Smolenski and Keene State Have Good Chemistry

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Victoria Smolenski
Victoria Smolenski

A highly motived and organized self-starter, Victoria Smolenski had a well-thought-out academic game plan when she arrived at Keene State. Deeply affected after learning that many of her relatives had been diagnosed with cancer, including an aunt who had breast cancer—even the family dog succumbed to the disease—the Norwich, Ct., native knew she wanted to major in chemistry and work in a lab.

Smolenski weighed her options was drawn to Keene State because of the intimacy of the campus and the chance to be part of PURE (Program for Undergraduate Research Experiences) during her second year. “I came for a visit and it was like euphoria,” Smolenski recalls. “I knew this is where I needed to be.”

Smolenski didn’t waste any time getting started on her academic goals. Intrigued by the research being done by Chemistry Professor Paul Baures, Smolenski approached him about working on one of his projects. “I was definitely very nervous about asking him, but I kept on thinking that I’m only here for four years. If I don’t do it now, it’s going to be too late.”

Despite a busy schedule, Smolenksi, now a senior, has worked on a variety of projects since that time. She is currently working on a funded project through the NH-INBRE program that collaborates with the Norris Cotton Cancer Center at Dartmouth. Smolenski is synthesizing new compounds for testing against breast cancer cell lines, using the skills she learned in her classes in her research. Smolenski has also presented her work already at an oncology conference at Dartmouth, and will also be speaking about her research at the Academic Excellence Conference at Keene State in April.

“Victoria’s interest really speaks to her motivation and drive to seek out opportunities that ultimately will set her apart from her peers and that will give her the experiences that can build a successful career,” said Dr. Baures. “She has always been a reliable researcher and willing to take on new challenges.”

Begin pull-quote…It’s obvious by her performance this past summer that she is exceptional in the research atmosphere. …end pull-quote
– Dr. Jerry Jasinski

Smolenski, who also took part in the BEST (Building Excellence in Science and Technology) program this past summer, was just getting started. She is also working in Dr. Jerry Jasinski’s laboratory doing research that involves X-ray Crystallography (identifying the atomic and molecular structure of a crystal). “It’s obvious by her performance this past summer that she is exceptional in the research atmosphere,” said Jasinski. “By the end of the 10 weeks, she was able to run the X-ray crystallography laboratory by herself with minimal supervision.”

Jasinski noted that Smolenski’s effort and dedication have already resulted in her becoming a coauthor on four publications in major peer-reviewed international research journals with many more on the horizon.

When she’s not in the lab or classroom, Smolenski, who was a member of her high school’s marching band and local drum and bugle corps, still finds time to be on the Keene State dance team. Serving as the team’s manager, she is helping the fund-raising effort so they can compete at the national competition this January in Orlando, Fla. “I just like to keep busy and be a well-rounded student,” she said.

If that wasn’t enough, Smolenksi, who wants to pursue a career that includes research and medicine, also spent last summer volunteering in the emergency room at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. “That experience made me realize that I want to work with people and not just in a lab,” she said. “I want to be an oncologist physician-researcher so I can work with cancer patients and their families.”

Smolenski says she has a back-up plan in mind if things don’t work out. But as ambitious and goal-oriented as she is, one has the feeling she won’t need it.

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