Melanie A. Spero

Class of 2008
School of Environmental and Biological Sciences

Each year, a committee of faculty and staff members chooses from among nominees put forward by the deans of Rutgers’ undergraduate colleges and schools an outstanding graduating senior to deliver the undergraduate commencement address. This year, Melanie A. Spero of East Granby, Connecticut, has been selected for this honor. A biotechnology major, with a minor in biochemistry, Spero is a George H. Cook Scholar in the Honors Program at the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences.

Beginning as early as her sophomore year, Spero capitalized on the special opportunities available at Rutgers to undertake research as an undergraduate, developing the critical thinking and experimental design skills needed to pursue groundbreaking scientific research. As a recipient of an Aresty Undergraduate Research Scholarship, she tackled a senior thesis project developing a novel system to study the redox state in plants. Her project utilized the techniques and approaches of biochemistry, molecular biology, tissue culture, and microscopy. Her research mentor, Dr. Eric Lam, anticipates that her thesis work will lead to a solid, publishable scholarly paper.

Despite her rigorous academic schedule, Spero discovered rowing in her first year at Rutgers and went on to become a key member of the women’s varsity crew team. In her sophomore year she earned a varsity letter, as well as a Big East bronze medal in the varsity four event. As a junior, she was inducted into the National College Athlete Honor Society, Chi Alpha Sigma, an honor that recognized both her outstanding scholarship and athletic accomplishments.

Having maintained a 3.7 grade-point average at Rutgers, Spero has been offered fellowships by a number of the graduate schools to which she has applied. She plans to pursue her Ph.D. degree in microbiology at the University of Wisconsin, where she was awarded an NIH-funded biotechnology training grant, and hopes for a career as a leading researcher and university professor.