Katie Leaptrot Named Senior of the Year at University of Charleston

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CHARLESTON, WV (07/11/2011)(readMedia)-- Katrina (Katie) Leaptrot of Kenna, W.Va., was named Senior of the Year at the University of Charleston. She majored in chemistry and biology, and will enter a five-year doctoral program in chemistry at Vanderbilt University this fall. The program includes free tuition and a generous stipend to help Katie pursue her research interests. Vanderbilt is a nationally recognized research university in Nashville, Tennessee, and is ranked #10 in the country for NIH (National Institutes of Health) funding.

During her undergraduate career, Katie was involved in research projects at the University of Charleston with both Dr. Xiaoping Sun and Dr. David Haas. In addition to being named Senior of the Year, she was honored as the Outstanding Graduating Concert Choir Member and the Outstanding Student in Science. During her senior year, she was president of Chi Beta Phi national science honorary, a member of the American Chemical Society, and vice president of her sorority, Kappa Tau Epsilon.

"I didn't always know that I wanted to be a chemist, but I did know that I wanted to earn my doctorate. I knew I couldn't be a medical doctor, because getting a shot makes me black out," she said. "I had the most amazing high school science teacher, Barbara Heckert at Ripley High School, who instilled a love for the sciences in me."

No one can accuse this aspiring chemist of not aiming high enough: her goal after earning her Ph.D. is to win a Nobel Prize.

In her spare time, Katie plays mellophone with the UC pep band and is a member of the UC steel drum band. She is also a singer, performing with the University Singers and Concert Choir. During the summer, she teaches gospel music. This unusual summer job grew out of her attendance at a gospel music school, the West Virginia School of Gospel Music (WVSGM), at her church in Goldtown. After several years of experience as a student and as a teacher, Katie was involved in the start-up of a second gospel music school in Dunbar last summer, the MSSGM, which attracted nearly 100 students.