“I love learning and I think the world is such an interesting place. Besides [that], I have little tidbits about lots of different things involving science that I wouldn't have known without studying bio.”

Originally from Idaho, Hailee Fell is one of the many talented graduating biology students hailing from all over the nation and world. She will be graduating this spring with an emphasis in anatomy and physiology and minors in chemistry and Spanish.

 Hailee hopes to attend medical school after her gap year, and like many pre-medical students, she chose biology after some deliberation about other majors. She says, “I truly have always loved science. When I first was deciding on a major, I did think about kinesiology, HSP (Health, Society, and Policy), and maybe even medical laboratory science, but I came back to biology. I love learning and I think the world is such an interesting place. Besides, I have little tidbits about lots of different things involving science that I wouldn't have known without studying bio.”

During her time at the university, Hailee was able to partake in riveting research under Dr. Christopher Depner (Department of Health and Kinesiology) in the Sleep and Circadian Physiology Research Lab. Hailee succinctly sums up her research, “ The Sleep and Circadian Physiology Lab observes individuals who report less than 6 hours of sleep and how it affects their cardiometabolic health. This lab looks to advance our understanding of how insufficient sleep, and the misalignment of the circadian cycle, affects our nutrition, physical activity, and how to mediate chronic diseases.” In 2022, Hailee presented her research findings at the Utah Conference on Undergraduate Research (UCUR).

Being involved in cutting-edge research is just one of the many opportunities she has taken advantage of here at the U. Currently she is a peer health educator at the Center for Campus Wellness, a Facility Manager at the Student Life Center, and the president of the Spanish Club! Her other involvements include Saturday Service Projects through the Bennion Center, volunteering at the Maliheh Free Clinic as a patient technician, and working at the University of Utah Hospital.

After graduating this spring, Hailee looks forward to taking some time off before applying to medical school. She states, “I'm going to work and chill out! No school! (until I get accepted into med school.  Just for a little bit I'll get to experience life with no school.”

By Isabel DuBay

You can email us at sbs-media@biology.utah.edu with questions, ideas, or to suggest a student story!