When Caitlin Gonzales (’23 genetics) enrolled as a genetics major at Iowa State in the fall of 2019, she was on track to become a physician assistant. She even became a certified nursing assistant while still in high school to get a jump start on her medical career. But the COVID-19 pandemic changed Gonzales’ perspective, and she decided a profession in medicine was no longer for her. Now, she plans to use her genetics degree and undergraduate research experiences to inspire young minds through teaching.

Learn more about Gonzales and her future plans in the LAS News article, "Changing Course." Gonzales conducts research in the lab of Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology Assistant Professor Dior Kelley.