Abby Moore
When Abby Moore graduates this spring, she’ll be the first in her family to go on to graduate school.
At Ohio University, she majored in Environmental & Plant Biology and gained experience in plant genetics. This fall she’ll be starting a master’s program at Oregon State University.
“I am really looking forward to it, I will be studying a pathogen afflicting potatoes and attempting to breed a resistant variety,” she says.
Q: What stands out in your mind as you think about graduating despite COVID?
A. I feel so impressed with my peers and this graduating class, senior year is already so challenging with preparing to start life after college, but we all did it from home, a lot of us isolated from our friends and support systems. I think we should all feel proud for what we have accomplished and for not letting these challenges get in our way.
Q: Who were your favorite professors and how did they make an impact on your life?
A. Dr. John Schenk has continuously supported my research and dreams for graduate school, as well as supported me through personal struggles during COVID. His advice has bettered me as a student, researcher, and person.
Dr. Sarah Wyatt, Dr. Harvey Ballard and Dr. Kim Thompson have also been so supportive and caring during my time at OU. When I began studying botany, I only loosely knew what I wanted to do. They helped me consider opportunities and internships that gave me the chance to pursue my scientific interests. I’ll be the first in my family to go to graduate school, and that is largely in part due to the encouragement I received from my advisers and mentors in the department.
Q: What was the hardest hill you had to climb (not counting Jeff Hill) at OHIO? And how did you overcome challenges or obstacles in your path?
A. One difficult lesson I had to learn at OU was how to create a healthy school, research and life balance. I had to learn how to prioritize myself sometimes so that I could perform better in the other areas. I learned to improve my time management to have good grades while also having the time to relax and do the things that make me happy.
Q: What are your favorite OHIO memories?
A. Some of my favorite OHIO memories were made at Stroud’s Run. I love to go hiking and see how the forest changes through the seasons, especially the pawpaws! I have many fond memories with the friends I have made here, and I’m looking forward to see where they’ll next go in life. I feel so lucky that OU brought us together.
Q: What’s the one thing you would tell a new OHIO student not to miss?
A. Don’t miss out on some of the DIY music here. I really enjoyed going to watch local Athens bands. There are many talented people here!
Editor’s Note: The Happy Beginnings series features recent College of Arts & Sciences graduates who are getting started in careers, graduate school and service.
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