快活视频

By Kyle Hobstetter on October 22, 2018

Growing up in Baltimore City, Kiam Preston 鈥�19 always had people trying to tell him who he should be. But at Towson University, he found who he wants to be. 

鈥淭he experiences I鈥檝e had here at 快活视频helped define me and mold me into who I am,鈥� Preston said. 鈥淵ou are who you make yourself out to be. There are some things you might not be able to change about yourself 鈥� because those are integral parts of who you are.鈥�

His lifelong love of science is one of those integral parts. As a child Preston read astronomy books hoping to be an 鈥渁stroruner,鈥� as he called it. Later he found out the term was pronounced 鈥渁stronomer." 

As a 快活视频biology major, Preston continued to look for new ways to challenge himself in both science and in the classroom. 

He found it after a chance encounter with another 快活视频student, who told him about TU鈥檚 MB3 major 鈥� which stands for Molecular Biology, Biochemistry and Bioinformatics. After hearing about the work the other student was doing, he immediately changed his major to get into the MB3 program. 

Preston had finally found the academic challenge he鈥檇 been looking for.

鈥淚 thoroughly enjoy the rigor,鈥� he laughed. 鈥淲hen I was told about MB3, I thought that sounded incredibly hard. I had to get a piece of that. And every single class I鈥檝e enjoyed鈥攁nd the ones I鈥檝e enjoyed the most鈥攁re the hardest ones.鈥�

With a concentration in molecular biology, Preston does a lot of work involving cells: how cells work and how molecules interact with the body. His favorite class so far is biochemistry, mainly because he learned about how the human body and its cells actually work.

He鈥檚 also involved with research on campus as part of the Towson University Herpes Lab, where he studies human cytomegalovirus, or the Beta Herpes Virus.  It was through his research that Preston decided that his ultimate goal was to work at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Preston got involved with the 快活视频Herpes Lab after taking Biology 201 with Barry Margulies, the faculty member who established the lab. During the lab section of the class, Preston was able to spark a one-on-one conversation with Margulies, who invited him to visit the herpes lab.

Preston met the other researchers in the lab and knew immediately that he wanted to be part of it. Since joining his freshman year, he admits he鈥檚 loved every moment. Still, he says balancing research work with homework and trying to have a personal life has been hard.

鈥淓verything hasn鈥檛 been given to me鈥擨鈥檝e had to work for it,鈥� Preston said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 ok to struggle. That鈥檚 what makes us better.鈥�  

Support from SAGE 

TU鈥檚 SAGE program was developed specifically for students like Preston. Students Achieve Goals through Education (SAGE) helps to foster academic achievement, personal development and campus-wide involvement in students representing diverse and underserved backgrounds. 

Each program participant is able to develop a relationship with a peer mentor and participate in various activities that enhance academic success, campus connections, personal development and career development skills. 

鈥淚 chose Towson University because of SAGE,鈥� Preston said. 鈥淭his support system is something I didn鈥檛 know that I needed as much as I did. That鈥檚 the most astounding part鈥攖o have a family-like connection to this group of people.鈥�  

Two of those family-like bonds have been with Raft Woodus, director of Student Success Programs, and Tammie King-Kelly, coordinator of Student Success Programs. Preston said their relationship with him has become almost parental. 

鈥淚 know I can talk to Raft and Tammie about anything,鈥� he added. 鈥淭hey have so much insight and knowledge that I wouldn鈥檛 have otherwise.鈥� 

After spending his freshman year as a SAGE participant, Preston felt he wanted to give back to the program. He now serves as a one of its 70 peer mentors. It鈥檚 not uncommon to see a member of the SAGE community call out his name as he strolls across the campus. 

As a peer mentor, Preston knows it鈥檚 important not only to build relationships with his mentees, but also to serve as a resource for new students.   

鈥淚 tell them that my personal experience with SAGE has been absolutely outstanding,鈥� Preston said. 鈥淲e try to help in so many different ways. And if there is something I can鈥檛 handle as your mentor, there are 69 other mentors we can talk to, plus our amazing staff.鈥�

Learn more about SAGE

 Along with his academic work and SAGE mentoring, Preston works as a science tutor on campus. He鈥檚 a member of , as well as the SAGE Residential Learning Community鈥檚 Housing and Residence Life liaison. He鈥檚 also involved in TU鈥檚 Voices Slam Poetry Team through the . 

After naming his clubs, activities and organizations, Preston recalls the mantra he repeats to himself: 鈥淣o matter where you come from, you can still be who you want to be.鈥�

鈥淭he experiences I鈥檝e had at Towson University, I don鈥檛 think I could have had anywhere else,鈥� he added.