Liam McCarthy, a senior majoring in biochemistry at Colgate University, recently accepted an offer to attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to pursue a doctoral degree in chemistry. This achievement is a testament to McCarthy’s lifelong dedication and passion for his field of study.
McCarthy knew that he wanted to pursue a career in the sciences from a young age. He attended a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)-focused high school in Chicago, Ill., which allowed him to take college-level science classes. Reflecting on the experience, he noted that it was a trade-off that paid well.
“I went to the Illinois Math and Science Academy. It was really hard and also serious. I had to live on campus for three years, but I feel that it cemented my interest in the sciences and gave me a massive head start towards pursuing the STEM fields,” McCarthy said.
When applying to colleges, McCarthy emphasized that Colgate’s intimate school environment was what primarily appealed to him. He was one of the few students from his high school who decided to pursue STEM at a liberal arts college. Given his high school experience in a smaller, academically focused institution, he thought he had solidified his career ambitions.
“Coming [to] Colgate from boarding school, I felt like it would be a breeze, and I’d have it all figured out. I certainly didn’t,” McCarthy said.
McCarthy shared that an internship through Colgate during his sophomore year prompted him to reconsider his plans.
“I shadowed a doctor in Boston [and] certainly felt that it dissuaded me from entering medicine,” McCarthy said. “I still wanted to be able to help people directly, so I decided to become an EMT, and I really enjoyed the technical parts, which led me to eventually pursue research.”
While he was serving as an EMT for Colgate’s rugby teams, he began pursuing research with Associate Professor of Chemistry Jacob Goldberg.
“Researching with Professor Goldberg was what sparked my interest in the heavily technical side of medicine. Although I still considered medical school, I really dove into research my junior and senior year, and ever since then, I knew I wanted to pursue research full-time,” McCarthy said.
As it turns out, the environment that attracted McCarthy to Colgate became a core aspect of his experience.
“Research at Colgate is so distinct [from] any other school. A lot of my friends from home who are pursuing STEM have such different experiences. They don’t get to see their faculty adviser as much, or receive near-constant feedback and guidance,” McCarthy said. “I came to Colgate for this exact reason. The faculty advisers actively help students. I get to receive feedback on my work daily.”
McCarthy’s on-campus research has been focused on a combination of organic chemistry and biology. He has pursued and presented research on zinc ions in the brain and their purported impacts on various physiological conditions, a cutting-edge topic in the field. He feels that Colgate’s faculty and funding give students research experience on par with the best STEM institutions, preparing students for high-level research after graduation.
“Colgate has set me up to succeed well by getting into great graduate programs, and I could not have done it without our great faculty. I give them a ton of credit for my own success,” McCarthy said.
As he prepares to move on to the next chapter at MIT, he says he’s excited to see what’s in store. As someone who has loved his experience as a teaching assistant at Colgate, McCarthy has considered pursuing academia after the completion of his PhD. At MIT, McCarthy will have the opportunity to explore future opportunities to either enter the research industry or become a professor. Upon graduation from Colgate, McCarthy revealed what he will miss most.
“I’m excited to see what the future holds … all things considered, Colgate has shaped me a lot personally and intellectually,” McCarthy said. “I’m still living with my [first-year] roommate. The people I’ve met from the start are still the people I’m around. I’m glad I chose Colgate, and lucky to have a great group of friends and professors who have been persistent throughout my time here.”
