Biochemistry graduate Racine Brown
This is the fifth in a series of profiles of this year’s graduating class.
Biochemistry graduate Racine Brown found just the right mix of things she felt passionate about when transferring to Lehman during her sophomore year—a rigorous science curriculum and a wide variety of athletic programs. She has her sights set on medical school and credits her Lehman experience with preparing her for that journey.
When Brown transferred to Lehman, she was immediately struck by the beauty of the campus. “The wonderful buildings, trees, the atmosphere caught my attention,” says the Yonkers resident. “And when I looked into the school, I read a lot of great reviews, and it had my major. I decided that Lehman College would be the best fit for me.”
Brown’s two loves in high school were biology and chemistry, so the biochemistry major at Lehman was just what she was looking for. She also had the opportunity to work in the laboratories of Natural and Social Sciences Dean Edward Jarroll and Chemistry Professor Timothy Paget. “Not only were they my research instructors,” says Brown, “they made me become a well-rounded student and understand things I would not have understood if I were not in their labs.”
Balancing academics and extracurricular activities came easy to Brown, who was born in Jamaica, West Indies. She was inducted into Golden Key National Honor Society, Sigma Xi Research Society, and Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society; was awarded a St. George’s Society Scholarship, Analytical Chemistry Award, and American Chemical Society award; and took first place in the Sigma Xi Research Poster Competition. Brown has also been a member of the Lehman volleyball team since enrolling, and was a member of the softball team during her sophomore year.
Following her love of service, Brown traveled to the Dominican Republic with Lehman LIFE for a week during spring break to build a house for a family in need. “After we built the house, you could see the joy and appreciation in the family’s eyes, and they were overwhelmed with emotion,” says Brown. “They truly appreciated all the hard work that we put in, and I cherished that moment.” She has also volunteered as a chemistry and math tutor at Lehman.
Brown says the best part of being a Lehman student are the academic resources available, such as scholarships, and advisement from faculty and staff. These, along with her extracurricular activities, helped her prepare to become a well-rounded individual and confidently pursue her dream of medicine.
Her ultimate goal is to become a general surgeon or plastic surgeon for burn victims. “If I could help them and make them look close to how they were before being burned, that could make me wake up every day and love going to work,” says Brown. “My overall passion is to help people.”
Brown will apply for medical school this summer and hopes to work as a researcher in a hospital for the remainder of the year.
