How Rutgers-Camden Prepared Alumna Karena Joy for Her PhD Success

Posted January 11, 2024November 16, 2024 in Uncategorized

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Relocating to the United States in 2017 set the stage for an academic journey filled with research and recognition. Starting as a Biology undergraduate at Rutgers University-Camden, Karena Joy took full advantage of opportunities that would shape her path toward clinical research and pharmacy. The hands-on work in Dr. Jinglin Fu’s lab, combined with multiple academic awards, transformed her experience and laid the foundation for her future studies.

Karena Joy’s commitment to science and research has propelled her even further. Currently applying her skills at Penn Medicine’s transplant laboratory, she is now on the road to earning a doctorate in Pharmacy at Thomas Jefferson University. Read more about how Rutgers-Camden played a pivotal role in preparing Karena for her successful career.

From Sicklerville to Rutgers-Camden: Where It All Started

I completed my high school education in India and moved to the United States in 2017 with my family. In the fall of 2018, I began my Bachelor of Science in Biology at Rutgers University-Camden. Participating in the summer bridge program gave me a head start, helping me become familiar with the college environment and resources. This program was crucial in preparing me for what lay ahead.

I discovered Rutgers-Camden’s BS/MS program, which aligned with my growing passion for research. The supportive academic environment, where professors knew students by name and provided personalized guidance, made a lasting impression.
Karena Joy

The Inspiration Behind Choosing Rutgers-Camden for Graduate School

As I progressed through my undergraduate studies, I discovered Rutgers-Camden’s BS/MS program, which aligned with my growing passion for research. The supportive academic environment, where professors knew students by name and provided personalized guidance, made a lasting impression. One course that stood out was Principles and Practices of Biological Research during my sophomore year, where we worked collaboratively on a research project. This experience showed me Rutgers-Camden’s commitment to hands-on learning. Working in Dr. Jinglin Fu’s lab further confirmed that staying here for my master’s was the right decision. The university’s sense of community, along with support from student success coaches and librarians who always followed up to ensure I had the resources I needed, made a significant impact.

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Achievements and Memorable Experiences

Throughout my time at Rutgers-Camden, I received multiple awards, including the Dr. Owen and Ronald Rahman Award in 2021 and the Scarlet Scholar Award in 2018. Being inducted into Athenaeum and earning recognition from the Student Success Coach Office were among the highlights of my undergraduate years. In the summer of 2021, I was fortunate to receive an Undergraduate Apprenticeship Scholarship from the Army Educational Outreach Program, which allowed me to dive deeper into STEM research. These accomplishments, along with my master’s thesis work on the “Functionalization of Gold Nanoparticles with Thiolated DNA,” have been crucial in shaping my skills and career path.

The Next Chapter: Pharmacy and Clinical Research

My long-term goal is to become a transplant pharmacist, contributing to clinical research in meaningful ways. In the fall of 2024, I will start Pharmacy School at Thomas Jefferson University, College of Pharmacy. The skills and experiences I gained through my time at Rutgers-Camden, especially working in Dr. Fu’s lab, have prepared me to excel in this dynamic field. Currently, I’m applying those skills at Penn Medicine’s transplant laboratory, where the hands-on training from my master’s program has equipped me to handle complex lab tests. The journey continues, and I’m grateful for how Rutgers-Camden set me on the path to achieving my dreams.