Metapán, El Salvador
Escuela Interamericana, Santa Ana, El Salvador

Suzanne Carpe EliasMajor(s): Biology and French

Why did you choose Trinity? I chose Trinity because of its liberal arts education and small class sizes. I am very passionate about science and I was certain I wanted to major in STEM – the miracle of life and its wonders never cease to amaze me. On the other hand, I also knew that the French language and culture was something that I wanted to explore during my undergraduate career because part of my family is French and I consider that to be part of my identity. Therefore, I was very excited to come to a place that would allow me to pursue both interests. Additionally, I really wanted to be able to develop meaningful relationships with my professors, for which I knew a smaller school like Trinity would be ideal.

Favorite Class: Biology of Infectious Disease

Favorite Professor: Professor Alison Draper and Professor Terri Williams

Cocurricular Activities: Research Assistant in the Williams Lab, International Student Mentor, Supplemental Instruction Leader, First-Year Seminar Mentor, Research Assistant at St. Francis Hospital, Tutoring Coordinator for TriBeta, French Club Member, Biology Club Member

What do you love most about Trinity? I love the unique combination of opportunities available at Trinity and the immense amount of help and support I have received. For instance, I have been able to truly delve into both science and the humanities by taking a wide range of courses such as in philosophy, genetics, art history, and microbiology. I am especially grateful for the amazing research opportunities that I have had at Trinity, particularly in the Williams Lab where I have been able to work on my own project for two years, mentor other students, and present at a national conference. I also had the incredible opportunity to do a research internship at Harvard Medical School studying pancreatic cancer immunology, and also work as a Research Assistant for St. Francis Hospital studying the long-term effects of COVID-19. All of this would not have been possible without the guidance of my professors and advisors. At the same time, I have been able to hold several mentoring and tutoring positions while at Trinity, which have helped me grow as a person and pay it forward a little bit by helping others in the process. As an international student, it was really intimidating to travel to a different country for school, but Trinity has been the first place in my life where I have felt like I can truly be myself and where I know I belong.

What are your professional goals and/or career plans? I hope to continue working in research, particularly in the areas of infectious disease and public health. I would like to eventually attend graduate or medical school, and my ultimate goal is to make the world a safer place by trying to better understand and treat illnesses. I grew up in a developing country with a very precarious health system, which motivated me to utilize science and knowledge to help people in such areas of the world that need it the most. Additionally, I believe in the power of education, for which I would also like to venture into academia at some point.

Favorite Place on Campus: The library!

Favorite Place in Hartford: Connecticut Science Center

What’s the most impactful/favorite book you’ve ever read? A Crack in Creation: Gene Editing and the Unthinkable Power to Control Evolution by Nobel Prize Winner Jennifer Doudna

What advice do you have for prospective students applying to college? I would first encourage them to believe in themselves. I know that the college application process can be a daunting and challenging experience, but it is always important for everyone to be mindful of how far they have come in life and be confident in their ability to succeed. I would also suggest to reach out to the schools they are interested in, ask questions, and do any additional tasks such as scheduling interviews or writing optional essays to highlight their interest in schools.

What’s one thing you wish you knew before coming to college? I wish I knew that it is okay to not always know what you want, or to change your mind about your future. Before coming to Trinity, I had a very specific idea of what I thought I wanted to do with my life and the career that I wanted to pursue, but I realized here that there are so many other opportunities that I had not even considered before. I wish I had not been so hard on myself for opening my mind to new possibilities: after all, college is all about learning – not only about academics, but also about yourself!