Goran Cetkovic

Interview with Goran Cetkovic

BS in Genetics

Minor in Biotechnology

Anticipated graduation:  May, 2017 

Hi Goran! What advice would you give to students who might be at the beginning of their degree program?

It would definitely be to try to engage in one of the research labs and see the science and their major for what it really is. It will give them the most appropriate insight on which part of science they enjoy the most, and where they would like to see themselves in years to come.

 What is your proudest accomplishment as an NC State student?

It is by far the fulfillment of my academic expectations.

What do you love best about your department or your major?

Without a doubt, it is the engrossing beauty of science that is conveyed through the study of genetics.

 What do you plan to do after graduating from NC State?

I am planning on attending a master’s program in Bioentrepreneurship.

Care to give a shout-out to a faculty or staff member that you would like to recognize?

I would like to thank Dr. Stephanie Curtis for all the support, understanding and help throughout these four years. It means a lot when you are able to pick the mind of someone who is so highly revered as an academic in the field, and respected for the kind of person they are. It means a lot when there is somebody who listens carefully to all your queries, problems, and ideas, and tries to help you in the best way they can.

Please give us some additional insight, as a soon-to-be graduate of NC State:

It there is one thing you should know about me, it would be that I still have that propensity of a kid to dream big. I am of the opinion that by trying to reach for irrationally large goals, you end up accomplishing a lot more than you thought you are capable of. You become the best version of yourself. Everybody should dare to do the same, as only then do you get to truly live.

Here are just some of the other remarkable things we discovered about Goran:

• He is the first and only native of Montenegro to graduate from our Genetics program.
• Goran began his research experience by volunteering in the Singh lab.
• Next, he investigated the development of the norepinephrine system in mice through the BIT-SURE program.
• Then, he assisted with research on aging using Drosophila in the Estes lab.
• Goran was involved with the NCSU Entrepreneurship Initiative, the Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization, and Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity.
• He has volunteered back home in Montenegro, and served a term as the Internal Relations Coordinator of the Organization of Montenegrins Studying Abroad.
• Goran has received several departmental scholarships in Genetics, as well as the COS Dean’s Academic Scholarship.