Penn State Berks kicks off first Biology Ahead summer bridge program

WYOMISSING, Pa. — This summer, Penn State Berks held its inaugural Biology Ahead summer bridge program for incoming students interested in majoring in biology or a related life science. The goal of the program, which ran from July 6 to July 14, is to enhance academic preparedness and create a support system for a diverse group of students studying the biological sciences. 

Students lived on campus for one week, learned what to expect in their fall classes, and got to know their professors, staff members and fellow students — all in an effort to help ease the transition from high school to college.

“I decided to sign up for this program because it seemed like a great way to get familiar with the expectations of college,” stated Ismaer Segarra, a biology major from Lebanon, Pennsylvania. “Now I can confidently say that the program has greatly benefited me. I got to meet many professors, and they all were great at showing us what to expect and encouraging us. The aspect of living in the dorms provided an opportunity for us to get close with the other students.”



Biology Ahead builds on the success of the college’s Engineering Ahead summer bridge program, which recently celebrated its ten-year anniversary at Penn State Berks.

Ryan Hassler, coordinator of both Biology Ahead and Engineering Ahead and teaching professor of mathematics, explained, “After 10 years of developing, enhancing and sustaining Engineering Ahead, we are thrilled to launch the inaugural cohort of Biology Ahead at Penn State Berks. Modeled after the success of our Engineering Ahead program, Biology Ahead is designed to support incoming students interested in biology and related life science majors as they transition from high school to college.”

This year’s eight-member student cohort came from cities and towns across Pennsylvania, and one student came from Virginia. They plan to pursue majors in biology, biochemistry and molecular biology, forensic science and pre-med.

During their week on campus, Biology Ahead students had an opportunity to get to know several of the faculty members in their discipline and learned what to expect in their introductory biology and chemistry courses.

Paula Florez, a biochemistry and molecular biology major from West Lawn, Pa. commented, “Being a part of the Biology Ahead program means to be aware of the expectations and opportunities for a Penn State student. I walked in with a vague understanding of my major and a lot of insecurity about being a Penn State Berks student. I walked out with a higher understanding of the expectations of college as well as how I can be a better student.”

Daily schedules included faculty and external speaker presentations and discussion of the course textbook, "Atomic Habits" by James Clear. The program also covered such subjects as networking and mentoring skills, career readiness and industry collaboration, and student support services on campus.

Students attended science lab presentations and took a field trip to Suburban Testing Labs, an environmental laboratory specializing in drinking water, wastewater and solids analysis, located in Reading. They also completed a field experience where they conducted water testing at Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center in Reading and Gring’s Mill Recreation Area, located adjacent to the campus.

“I really enjoyed going to Gring’s Mills and Nolde Forest to do water testing,” stated Jasmine Dagadu, a pre-med major from Aldie, Virginia. “We found creatures in the water and drew them after, then we tested different things in the water, like Ph and oxygen levels.”

Dagadu added, “This program helped me to realize I really need to build actual study habits — that doesn’t just mean looking over notes the day before tests. I need to ask questions if I have any and if I need help, it’s okay to reach out to others.”

In fact, student mentors in the program were also inspired by the experience. Madilyn Bausher, a rising senior biochemistry and molecular biology major at Penn State Berks, commented, “Mentoring for Biology Ahead was rewarding. I enjoyed being able to help get others interested in biology, especially using real-world applications like the water quality testing at Nolde Forest. I think giving students the opportunity to experience biological concepts out in the field instead of just in a classroom is what helps develop an appreciation for science.”

Perhaps even more impactful, students heard from Berks alumni who are currently working in their field or continuing their studies in graduate school. Alumni included Matthew Kauffman, class of 2023, who was recently accepted to University of Pennsylvania’s cell biology, metabolism and physiology doctoral program; Coryn Hoffman, graduate class of 2019, medical science liaison at Allergen Aesthetics; and Erick Astacio, class of 2024, research specialist at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine. 



They also heard from Lauren Conrad, a rising senior biochemistry and molecular biology major at Penn State Berks who is completing an undergraduate research fellowship at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

Alanie Robinson, forensic science major from Souderton, Pennsylvania, commented, “My highlight of the program was performing water tests at Nolde Forest and listening to Penn State Berks alumni’s stories. Meeting some of the science faculty was also great because I now know what to expect and how to better prepare myself for their classes.”

Biology Ahead continues to provide a support system through the fall semester, through a first-year seminar where students continue their transition to college as a group.

Hassler stated, “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working with our first cohort of Biology Ahead scholars. These students bring an incredible mix of curiosity, critical thinking and a passion for discovery — all essential qualities for future biologists, health care professionals and researchers. Their enthusiasm for science and commitment to academic growth is inspiring, and I’m excited to see how they’ll make an impact in the years to come.”

The experience was summarized by Lillian Korch, a pre-med major, from Schwenksville, Pennsylvania, who stated, “Being part of Biology Ahead has meant so much to me. I feel like it gave me a very good head start to start my college career at Penn State Berks. I chose to do this program because I plan to work in the medical field in the future, and I felt as though Biology Ahead is a great way to start going down that path.”

The Penn State Berks Biology Ahead summer bridge program was funded by the Penn State Educational Equity Campus Access and Success Grant and the Susan Phillips Speece Endowment for Science and Innovation.

Those interested in learning more about how to support the Biology Ahead Program or who would like more information about the program can contact Hassler at 610-396-6127 or via email at RSH14@psu.edu.