Interview with Natascha Carter

BS in Genetics
Minor in German Studies
GPA 3.8
Anticipated Graduation:  May, 2020

Hi Natascha, what is your proudest accomplishment as an NC State student?

My proudest accomplishment at NC State is working with students in my GN311 problem session and office hours while designing and printing a 3D model for student learning. The model demonstrates the wobble base-pairing rules involved in the translation of mRNA into a protein.

What do you love best about your department or major?

What I love most about the genetics program at NC State is the faculty and students (graduate and undergraduate). It has been a pleasure to surround myself with people who also have a passion for genetics. All of the genetics faculty and students I have met through work or class are intelligent, kind, and helpful and I couldn’t be more thankful for the friendships and connections I have made through the program.

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

Attend graduate school for a Masters of Science in Genetic Counseling.

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

A big shout-out and thank you to Dr. Halweg for always giving me insightful advice on any situation I put in front of him, whether it’s class-related, work-related, or personal!

What advice would you give to students at the beginning of their degree program?

I would advise first-year students to follow their gut. A lot of my peers were taking the research pathway but I always felt this natural draw toward working and communicating with people, rather than working in a lab. Don’t be afraid to take risks and put yourself out there to take yourself one step closer to doing exactly what you want to do.

Here are just some of the other things Natascha has done or earned while at NC State

• Offered free tutoring to students as president and member of the German Honor Society
• Spent time in Germany and Austria
• As NC State Genetics Club VP of Service, organized service and outreach, worked with Downs Syndrome kids.
• Volunteer counselor with crisis line and children’s group at Interact, Raleigh, a shelter for victims of domestic violence/sexual assault
• Shadowed multiple genetic counselors
• Worked as a teaching assistant for Principles of Genetics