Research Experience Lands Graduating Student a Doctoral Fellowship

Rita Dill’s Research Work Takes Her Around the World

MEDIA CONTACT: Damita Chambers, dchambers@bowiestate.edu, 301-832-2628 mobile

(BOWIE, Md.) – When Rita Dill looks back over her college experience – from two research trips in Africa to a two-year internship at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) – she knows the relationships with her Bowie State University classmates and professors have made all the difference.

The graduating senior biology major is preparing for yet another extraordinary opportunity – she was selected for the highly competitive Dolphus E. Milligan Fellowship with a full-ride scholarship to attend University of Maryland’s doctoral program in chemistry in fall 2020. As part of the award, she will participate in a summer internship at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

Dill is one of 700 students set to graduate as part of Bowie State’s first-ever virtual commencement celebration on Friday, June 26 at 3 p.m. View it at bowiestate.edu/commencement.

She built her foundation in scientific research and prepared for graduate school with support from her professors, especially Assistant Professor Anne Osano.

“People really look out for you here. I will never get this experience anywhere else. I have these incredible interactions with professors on such a personal level,” she said. “The trips I’ve taken and things I’ve gotten to see and be a part of, I have the best memories at Bowie.”

Her first BSU biology course introduced Dill to research through the First in the World program. That started her on a journey to travel the world. She connected with Dr. Osano, who helped her get the USDA internship, participate in two research trips in Kenya and present her research at national conferences. Now, she works as a lab assistant position in Dr. Osano’s lab. More than all of her life-changing BSU experiences, Dill’s relationships have sustained her, especially those with her fellow lab assistants.

“I work with the best team,” she said. “These people are my best friends. They’re like my siblings.”

Envisioning her future after doctoral study, she hopes to use her gift for scientific research to work on a project with global impact.

“I really believe that God is painting this mosaic of my life,” she said. “I’m just really trusting God to show me my next step.”

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