Markley named Student of the Month for March

Lillian Markley, a candidate for a M.S. in Biology from Williamsville, was named Student of the Month for March by the Office of Residence Life. She was nominated for the award by Department of Biology Associate Professor Scott B. Ferguson.

A graduate student who earned a B.S. in Biology at Fredonia in 2019, Ms. Markley is a graduate teaching assistant for genetics and microbiology lab sections, and also a desk attendant at the University Village townhouses and works in the craft room for Residence Life. Dr. Ferguson, who has taught Markley in various classes over the years, shared how Markley has stood out from her peers through her academic curiosity and thirst for knowledge. He stated “[i]t wasn't always about the grade, it was about satisfying an internal thirst to know why.” This curiosity would result in Markley proposing experiments that would enhance the understanding of a disease called Porphyria.

In 2019, Markley joined Ferguson’s lab and continued to be a remarkable and innovative student. In her new role, she tackled a research question that had eluded Ferguson’s lab for nearly 15 years and was able to identify a genetic mutation responsible for a key change during development.

This achievement and years of consistent hard work and unmatched enthusiasm for her work have resulted in Markley being accepted into a joint Ph.D. program in Molecular Biology and Microbiology at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine and Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, which she will begin this summer.

Ferguson, who has witnessed her growth over the years, stated that he “could not be more proud of the outstanding scientist that she has become.”

When asked about her favorite things about Fredonia, Markley stated, “[t]he community in Fredonia is outstanding. I really enjoyed that there are so many different friendly faces around the campus. Not only in the student body, but also within the faculty. All the instructors I have had the chance to work with have been extremely helpful and invested in getting you to a place where your future goals are achievable. This only boosted the experience of college, as well as the opportunities to conduct research which is something that sets Fredonia apart from other colleges.”

The Student of the Month program was implemented in 2003 to recognize students who are well-rounded, excel in their academics, and contribute positively to the campus and community. Nominations can be made online.