Biochemistry Major Spotlight with Jordan Oberhaus ’16

It can be hard picking a major, so to give some insight on what it is like to major in Biochemistry, we asked Jordan Oberhaus ’16 (Barat Academy/St. Peters, MO) some questions about his experience with Westminster. Above, Jordan at a Pre-Healthcare Professionals Association meeting at Westminster. 

Why did you pick this major?

A biochemistry major fit better with the requirements to attend medical school and gave me more flexibility in my electives. I am not a person who enjoys working with nature much. I would rather be in a lab, and biochemistry gave that to me over biology.

 What do you plan to do after graduating?

After graduation, I plan to take a gap year doing clinical research and working on a publication. I then plan to attend medical school.

How have Westminster’s professors and courses prepared you to succeed in this career?

Westminster professors, especially Dr. Holliday and Dr. Amspoker, know a lot about applying to medical schools and how to be a competitive applicant. I have learned a great deal from those two and cannot thank them enough. The course load at Westminster is rigorous, but hearing from recent alumni, including my freshman year mentors, I know it will have adequately prepared me for medical school.

Who is your favorite professor and why?

My favorite professor would be Dr. Holliday. She was my seminar mentor and I have since been in many of her anatomy and physiology classes. She was a huge mentor in the process of applying to medical schools, and taught me how to think abstractly about the course material presented.

Have you had any internships related to this field? How did they help you?

Over the summers as an undergraduate student, I have been working in the department of anesthesia at Washington University in St. Louis.  This will give me a large advantage in applying to medical schools, and also some great memories to look back on.

Learn more about the Biochemistry major at Westminster.