The lab creates innovative approaches for targeted drug delivery and disease treatment — and Schabes was in the thick of it, assisting with ongoing projects by performing experiments and analyzing data.
Knowing her work could help people was one of the best parts of the job, she said.
“The lab works with hospitals,” she said. “We are looking at patients’ samples and figuring out how we can help doctors identify the disease. It’s moving-forward medicine. I felt a lot of pride knowing I was helping with that.”
In addition to assisting the staff, Schabes was given the chance to conduct her own independent projects.
One of her projects was a study of ferroptosis, a type of cell death. The other project involved an analysis of a blood disease called clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP), which creates a higher risk of cardiovascular disease and blood cancer.
“My goal was to try and identify a blood biomarker for the disease,” she said. “I was testing a bunch of blood samples, doing analysis on what we found.”
Afterward, she presented her findings to the laboratory staff.
“It was really cool being able to show off my work and explain it to others,” she said. “It was nerve-racking, but I liked it.”
The work tested her ability to overcome challenges, which she said was a valuable lesson she gained from the internship.
“The challenges that come with science, that was something I encountered often,” she said. “A lot of times, you are testing ideas and seeing if it works. It’s a lot of trial and error. That translates to sports as well. You learn how to work through challenges, see how to fix things, and move forward. It was really interesting to see that in the lab as well as when I’m on the court.”
Working in the lab not only strengthened her interest in science, but it also helped shape her future. She plans to apply to grad school to study genetic counseling while continuing to explore her passion for research.
In the meantime, she’s in the midst of her final season with the Raiders, and hopes to wrap up her Colgate volleyball career the way it began — by winning a conference title.
She chose Colgate over other schools because of its high academics and successful volleyball program. The Raiders had won two consecutive conference titles before Schabes came to Colgate — then two more in her first two seasons in maroon and white.
Now, as the only senior on the court (two other seniors are injured), Schabes is playing a vital role as a leader.
With six first-years, five sophomores, and three juniors, Colgate is seeking another title with one of its younger rosters in years. Colgate Volleyball doesn’t assign captains. Instead, the veterans are expected to take on leadership roles.
