Karin Schweitzer, STRIDE Student of the Month - April 2017
April 1, 2017
Karin Schweitzer
School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences
Karin Schweitzer is a PhD student in the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences. “I am interested in understanding the role of parasites in the marine microbial ecosystem because no one understands how they influence their hosts, their competitors, or their predators.” Initially a biology major as an undergrad, she says, “I was somehow convinced to do my passion on my own time, and began working in business.”
Karin’s early career path brought her to Asia for four years. She worked in Vietnam and in Shanghai and studied for a year at Beijing University. She says, “I had some great experiences, so I don’t regret it.” Some of her early experiences include working in intelligence and security, including working for the CIA. However, towards the later part of her business career, Karin found herself very unhappy. At this point, she decided to return to school and took part in Stony Brook University’s post-bachelors pre-health program. After taking several science courses, she joined the PhD program and is now working in the lab of Dr. Jackie Collier. She says, “I’m really happy working with her!”
Since coming back to school, Karin says that the does not have much time for hobbies, but that she really enjoys hiking, gardening, and traveling. “Some of my best trips were hiking trips. I especially like trips to lesser developed countries because you have to rely on your wits and your partner.”
Karin says, “You have to try for what you want or else nothing will happen.” Once she completes her PhD, Karin “would like to work for a non-profit. It is so disappointing what is going on in the government right now. There is a need for good communication and good science to influence the policy makers.”
Karin holds a BS in business as well as a BA in Chinese from Indiana University. She’s earned an MBA from the University of South Carolina in conjunction with Wirtschafts Universitat in Vienna, Austria.