Maria Urso, Ph.D.

Maria graduating

The completion of my doctoral degree in the Spring of 2006 marked the start of an exciting post-doctoral position with the U.S. Army Institute of Environmental Medicine (USARIEM) in Natick, MA. I was encouraged to apply for a post-doctoral research fellowship through the National Academies, and am currently working as a National Research Council fellow in the Military Performance Division of USARIEM, under the direction of one of our collaborators from UMass, Dr. Edward Zambraski. Fall 2006, I traveled to Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas to attend the U.S. Army Medical Departments’ Officer Basic Course (OBC) where I trained as a 71 Bravo (Biochemist) to become an officer with the U.S. Army. After completing OBC, I returned to USARIEM where I continue with my research in human skeletal muscle at the molecular level investigating how nutritional and training factors affect the health and performance of military personnel.

My years at UMass provided me with the necessary training and skills to embark on the career path that I have chosen with the Army. First and foremost, the most unique aspect of the Muscle Biology and Imaging Laboratory is that it is one of the few universities to conduct research at the molecular level in human skeletal muscle. This background made me a prime candidate for conducting research in soldiers and how their muscle responds to various training and environmental stimuli. Second, the evolution of the Muscle Biology and Imaging Laboratory has been from the systems to the cellular level, and I had the unique opportunity while at UMass to learn and develop molecular techniques. This experience provided me with bench top, technical, and administrative skills which have been an asset the past few months, and will continue to prove invaluable for the rest of my career when moving to a new laboratory and establishing myself and my research. Most importantly, my time at UMass was marked by several prestigious awards and grants, all of which were a direct product of Dr. Clarkson’s mentorship and guidance. Dr. Clarkson spent a considerable amount of time working with her students on essential skills from proposal writing to public speaking. Combined with the teachings of other members of the Kinesiology Department Faculty and Staff, I emerged from UMass as a well-rounded and proficient scientist. However, in spite of the professional growth experienced while at UMass, the most treasured element is the interpersonal relationships with other students and faculty members which will continue for a lifetime.