Hayden Hawks

Professional Background

I was born and raised in Stillwater, Oklahoma where I completed my high school education. After high school, I attended the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas where I received an Honors Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry. As an undergraduate, I worked in two research labs. The first investigated genetic transitions to selfing in the Azorean angiosperm genus Tolpis. The second involved field research investigating the effect of biodiversity on Kansas grassland plant’s resistance to pathogens. During the latter half of my undergraduate studies, I also worked in the clinical laboratory at Lawrence Memorial Hospital testing for viral, fungal, and bacterial infections. Following graduation, I joined a pharmaceutical R&D company where I worked in analytical and formulation development to ensure bioavailability, safety, and efficacy of a variety of active pharmaceutical ingredients. I worked closely alongside physician-scientists coordinating clinical trials for formulations I created and tested; in doing so, I learned invaluable lessons about the path that fundamental research takes during translation into clinical treatments.

I am now entering my first year of medical school with a strong interest in biochemical aspects of neurodegenerative diseases. In my free time, I enjoy long distance running, reading nonfiction and science fiction novels, volunteering with animal rescue organizations, and tinkering with computers.