Students in the College of Life Sciences are engaged in inspiring learning opportunities that deepen their understanding of how God's work relates to their field of study. These experiences broaden their perspectives and equip them to make a meaningful impact as they go forth and serve. The following students share a snapshot of their inspiring learning experience.
Leilani Harmuth (PH '24)
In this photo, I captured an unfiltered, surreal moment with a Nepali mother and her newborn while she interacted with a community health nurse during a home visit. With the closest hospital hours away, the nurse was explaining methods to keep the premature baby healthy. On my internship, I found myself learning more than just international health program planning. I had the opportunity to see into the hearts and lives of these struggling women, and it left me with a new drive to help individuals get the healthcare they need and deserve.
My experience in Nepal has been instrumental in my growth as a disciple of Jesus Christ. It led me into a more profound, out-of-my-comfort-zone encounter with the real challenges of poverty and healthcare neglect faced by the Nepali mountain population. I hope to continue to push past my comfort zone to serve in my future public health career and in my lifelong service to God’s work.
Harmuth took this photo during her global health internship in Nepal.
Kaitlyn Allen (MMBIO ’24)
The Bacteria of Life at ARTIS-Micropia, the museum of microbiology in Amsterdam, is a wall filled with bacterial strains grown from common objects, like toothbrushes and strands of hair. Seeing the vast array of bacteria on display inspired me to see the microscopic world around me in everyday life, not just when I am looking through a microscope or working in the lab.
I love studying microbiology because it gives me glimpses into how God works and how intricate life is. Science confirms my faith in God because it lets me see how He does things. He is in every aspect of the world, from the big to the microscopic. Science shows and confirms to me that when God created us and the world, He did it in the perfect way, making it possible for us to overcome difficulties not only in a physical (molecular) way but also in emotional and spiritual ways.
Allen took this photo while participating in the Plague, Penicillin, and Pasteur: Microbiology in Europe study abroad.
Caroline Catterton (CELL ’24)
Looking back at the shore of the Greek island of Thassos, I realized that there’s so much to learn when being immersed in a different country. I witnessed gardeners trying to sell their fresh fruit and vegetables on the shore for their sole income. I visited monks with my study abroad group and became aware of how different Christian denominations devote their lives to serve Heavenly Father. I felt the Holy Ghost radiate throughout the island as each islander cited God as the reason they had families and jobs and the reason they loved their lives. Basking in the beautiful ocean, I knew that I needed to take every chance I could to be inspired by the people around me. With this thought, I headed back to shore to prepare to shadow Grecian physicians the next morning.
Studying science has strengthened my faith by allowing me to recognize God’s hand. While learning about anatomical structures, witnessing life-changing surgeries in Greece, and studying the chemical mechanisms behind medicines, I have seen how “All things denote there is a God” (Alma 30:44). Science is a tool that allows us to understand more about how He created us.
Catterton took this photo while on the Greece Health Care study abroad.
Harrison Kiser (CELL ‘25)
At 9,000 feet above sea level in Great Basin National Park, a designated dark-sky preserve, I found myself inspired to capture the beauty of the night sky through a long exposure shot. The sheer vastness and magnificence of the lights in this celestial show display the wonders of our universe. Through various fields of study, our pursuit of scientific knowledge has unveiled more about the universe we inhabit and, in turn, ourselves. Gazing into the night sky triggers a fundamental question: “Why?” This question ignites my fire of curiosity, compelling me to keep learning and exploring the mysteries that God’s creations have to offer.
Studying science is a humbling experience, both in its rigor and in the profound understanding it offers of our place in the universe. In my science classes, I’ve found a deep sense of connection to the world around me. The laws governing gravity, thermodynamics, kinetics, and more aren’t exclusive to any entity, whether it’s a bacterium or a galaxy. This shared fundamental foundation fosters a spiritual connection with those around me, serving as a reminder of our common origin.
Kiser took this photo while visiting a national park with his wife over the summer.