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Meet...Melissa

Name: Melissa Fraser.

School: Graduate Studies (Ph.D. in molecular biology—Class of 2002).

Birth place: Concord, New Hampshire.

Favorite TV program: ER and Friends.

Favorite food: Nachos and cheese.

Least favorite chore: Cleaning house.

Pet peeve: People who don’t take responsibility for their actions.

Worst habit: I bite my fingernails.

What do you find most rewarding about your program? Using my knowledge of science to help others. Right now, I am doing cancer research. 

What is your biggest personal challenge? Getting over chronic bursitis. I found that “magnet therapy” helps me deal with the pain so that I can lead an active life.

Personality trait you admire in others: I admire people with the courage to keep going when they are faced with a terminal illness like cancer.

What do you do in your free time: I am the otter (Lontra Canadensis) at the South Carolina Aquarium.

If you suddenly had a free day, what would you do? I would grab my camera and shoot a couple of rolls of film.

Favorite subject matter: Nature photography and buildings.

Most treasured material possession: A photograph of my grandmother with the family dog.

Something people don’t know about you: I competed in the YMCA nationals for swimming the backstroke and butterfly.

Favorite sport: Scuba diving and roller skiing.

Plans for the future: I’d like to combine my undergraduate studies in marine biology to continue doing research, this time in marine science.