"It was an opportunity I could not pass up. The environment at UAB fosters a great sense of community where it is very easy to find a home."

Kristine Farag
Carmel, Indiana

Why immunology: Real-life inspiration

During my junior year of high school, a friend of mine was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia and was destined for a stem cell transplant. I began to research the disease and ask my father, a hematologist, about it. [Soon after] I spent a summer in an immunobiology laboratory conducting experiments investigating ways to prevent graft-versus-host disease, a potentially deadly complication of transplantation. Learning about T cell activation and targeting cellular pathways to inhibit them was fascinating. And I found a greater sense of purpose in what I was learning when I saw directly the devastating effects of GVHD in transplanted patients while shadowing an Indiana University hematologist, Dr. Jennifer Schwartz.

Home away from home

A little over a year ago, I did not even know UAB existed. I only heard about it while I was applying for colleges because I planned to pursue a BS/MD program. However, when I was contacted for interviews, I visited the campus and was able to meet faculty, current students, and other prospective students. Upon acceptance to the program, I felt that it was an opportunity I could not pass up. The environment at UAB fosters a great sense of community where it is very easy to find a home.

What's your favorite part of the immune system?

"The natural killer cell. It has the coolest name." – Kristine Farag