Braden Foulks is a biochemistry, molecular and cellular biology major and an agriculture and food systems minor from Durham, New Hampshire. He has received the Trustee Scholarship.
COLSA: Why did you choose UNH?
Braden Foulks: UNH offered the best education and the most money, and everyone in my family has gone to the university so it felt familiar and comfortable.
COLSA: What is your major and what do you love about it?
Braden: My major is biochemistry, molecular and cellular biology, and I love how versatile it is. I can do whatever I want with this major because I have a competency in any aspect of STEM.
COLSA: Tell us about your research in as non-technical language as possible.
Braden: Dr. Iago Hale has created a breeding program to create kiwiberry varieties that produce a lot of fruit that tastes good. Kiwiberries naturally contain oxalate, which helps the plant with various things. However, oxalate leaves a weird texture in the mouth. I have taken responsibility for an experiment breeding kiwiberry trees with low oxalate with trees with favorable traits to see if they can be combined to produce a kiwiberry tree with low oxalate and favorable traits.
COLSA: What challenge/issue does the research you're conducting seek to address?
Braden: The research I'm conducting seeks to find out if any of the almost 250 trees in my care produced berries with low oxalate and favorable traits (a lot of good tasting berries).
COLSA: What's the best academic experience you've had at UNH?
Braden: Mythology with Paul Robertson. My favorite class I have ever taken. Each class was so fun and engaging, and I love the topic.
COLSA: What's the best experience you've had at UNH outside the classroom/lab?
Braden: Meeting my friends and every day I spend with them since.
COLSA: How is UNH preparing you to achieve your goals?
Braden: CAPS [Career and Professional Success] is an incredible resource that has helped me to prepare for job searching. They helped me write my resume and offer many different services.
COLSA: What should prospective students know about UNH?
Braden: It's a great school that offers a lot of opportunities and experiences for its students.
Learn more
- Biochemistry, Molecular and Cellular Biology B.S.
- Agriculture and Food Systems minor
- New Hampshire Agricultural Experiment Station
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