Future bioethicist or similar health care professional Quinn Larsen will graduate from Viterbo University with a degree in biochemistry in May 2027. Through impressive research, internships, and the honors program, Larsen is making the very most of her educational opportunities until then.
Larsen is spending her summer in Washington, D.C. for an internship in environmental advocacy while taking two classes at Eastern Mennonite University. That came immediately after four weeks of conducting research from the end of the spring semester until leaving for the East Coast. She will continue the project as an independent study after returning in the fall.
This is the second scientific research project Larsen has done under the mentorship of Dr. Luke Bussiere, assistant professor of biology. The research focuses on discovering antibiotic-producing bacteria sourced from the gut microbiota, and these opportunities were made possible through Viterbo’s Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Program.
“Dr. Bussiere is very good at explaining things in a way that make sense for students,” Larsen said. “When I first started, I had to ask a lot of questions, but now I’ve learned enough to have a great deal of independence in the lab and suggest ideas of my own.”
Larsen is the chapter president of It’s On Us, a national organization dedicated to preventing violence and stalking. She attended a conference in New Orleans hosted by Ending Violence Against Women International.
A person of many talents, Larsen teaches the violin at Onalaska Music Academy. She plays on campus as an accompanist for the St. Franis Choir at San Damiano Chapel. Larsen also enjoys cooking, baking, reading, and hiking the bluffs.
A previous internship with Dr. Tom Harter, the director of the department of bioethics and humanities at Emplify Health, confirmed Larsen’s choice of future career field.
“I’m still exploring my options, but I am interested in bioethics or working toward health care equity by making it more financially accessible,” she said.
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Discover how Viterbo’s biochemistry program blends rigorous scientific study with hands-on lab experience. You'll be prepared for careers in healthcare, research, pharmaceuticals, and more, all within a supportive, values-based learning environment.
