Olivia Kaminski found success at Slippery Rock University by experimenting in the lab and with her career options. A 2025 graduate with a bachelor’s degree in biology, Kaminski is now a graduate student in SRU’s physician assistant studies program who was shaped by her research opportunities as an undergraduate.
“The opportunities are so endless,” said Kaminski, a native of New Castle (Laurel HS). “Even though Slippery Rock is a smaller school, the smaller experiences lead to bigger ones.”
Originally aiming to be a cardiac perfusionist, Kaminski worked with Stacy Hrizo, professor of biology, to find undergraduate research opportunities that could make her stand out. She earned a summer position conducting research at Washington University in St. Louis, one of the top research institutions in the nation.
“I remember being really excited but also terrified because I’m a homebody,” Kaminski said. “After the experience I really saw the value in it and I’m so grateful I went.”
At Washington University, Kaminski researched a new non-invasive MRI imaging technique involving phosphocreatine, which acts as a storage for energy in the heart and other muscle tissues.
“The study basically developed a new chemical exchange saturation transfer,” Kaminski said. “The more phosphocreatine you have, the more energy reserves you have.”
The varying presence of phosphocreatine in the heart is information that could benefit cardiovascular medical efforts.
“The heart is a very demanding organ and needs lots of energy so we were basically finding a way to quantify the measurement of the amount of phosphocreatine in your heart, which could potentially aid in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease,” Kaminski said.
Kaminski’s courses and experiences at SRU helped her gain the skills and confidence necessary to achieve, and succeed in, during her opportunity at Washington University.
“Having research experience under my belt from Slippery Rock helped me immensely in being able to do the research I did in St. Louis,” Kaminski said. “At other places you might have to be a junior or senior to do undergraduate research, but at Slippery Rock you can get those opportunities as a sophomore.”
One such opportunity was the chance to study the effects of insecticides on human cells. Kaminski shared that the work showed her what research requires and how the early start on college research helps her standout in graduate applications.
“Slippery Rock gave me a lot of foundational knowledge and experience that helped me do well in the research in St. Louis,” Kaminski said.
She also emphasized the benefits of building close relationships with faculty.
“Dr. Hrizo changed the trajectory of my life,” Kaminski said. “I would not be the same person or where I am today without her. She encouraged me and opened doors for me.”
Kaminski realized she was more interested in the surgery than the cardiac perfusionist role while shadowing open-heart surgeries at Washington University, leading her to return to SRU and enroll in the physician assistant studies program.
“Graduate school is very self-paced,” Kaminski said. “Slippery Rock has a good balance of keeping you accountable but also giving you the freedom to make your own choices.”
What started as an endeavor of uncertainty and some fear has blossomed into a life-changing experience for Kaminski.
“I was really scared to come to college, but there are so many opportunities you don’t even know of if you put yourself out there,” Kaminski said.
More information about the physician assistant studies and biology programs at SRU are available on the programs’ webpages.
