Kari Neill

Kari Neill was going to be a pharmacist.  At least that was her plan when she arrived at UNL.  She planned to spend three years at the university, preparing for pharmacy school.  But everything changed after a conversation she had one of her UNL biology professors.

"Dr. Janovy inspired me to pursue a career in global health," Kari said.  She explored his suggestions and found that global health was a perfect fit for her.

“There are few joys that compare with discovering one’s purpose in life and working diligently to that end,” said the Lincoln Southeast graduate about her decision to pursue her newfound passion. Her studies took her to Cedar Point Biological Station near Ogallala, Neb., where she studied parasitology for three weeks and conducted original research.

With a career in global health, Kari will be able to apply her interests in pharmacology and African studies, and her curiosity about diverse cultures.  UNL has also afforded Kari opportunities like teaching an organismic biology lab, participating in the LeaderShape Institute, and singing in University Chorale. 

As an undergraduate, Kari has gotten "a glimpse of real science—the frustrations, unpredictability, disappointing failures, and sweet successes."  She continues to study biological sciences at the university with plans to graduate in May 2008.  She has recently applied to Teach for America, and after graduation would like to teach high school in a lower socioeconomic area.