Dec. 11, 2024

Ferris State Environmental Biology grad Amara Burke finds success after taking unexpected path

Ferris State University Environmental Biology graduate Amara Burke is a third-generation Bulldog student who learned first impressions of the “right” field of study or career path can be amended.

It was a lesson she learned after establishing herself in fall of 2022.

“I grew up in Eaton Rapids and enrolled at Mason High School for their one-year zoology program,” Burke said. “After that, I entered the Early College program at Lansing Community College and earned my Associate of Applied Science degree in Biology there, prior to receiving a high school diploma.”

All of Burke’s actions were originally designed for Michigan State University and its Pre-Veterinary curriculum. 
“I still had prerequisite courses I needed to qualify for, so I chose Ferris as the place to earn the credits,” Burke said. “Having a college degree prior to gaining my high school diploma proved to be an obstacle because the biochemistry course I required was ‘senior-heavy’ and limited my chance to be registered.”

That circumstance was an opportunity for Burke during her first year in Big Rapids.

“My aspirations to pursue veterinary studies fell away. I decided to continue in Ferris’ Honors Program, moving my major to Environmental Biology,” Burke said. “By joining the Academic Literacies Center as a chemistry tutor, I met people who were part of Ferris’ Mycology Club, and they got me in touch with the department’s advisor, Paul Klatt. Dr. Klatt helped me center on that curriculum for my course of study.”

When Burke’s temporary Bulldog status became more permanent, it pleased her grandmother, Victoria (Thebo).  
Burke was a College of Business student in the 1970s. Her parents are Ferris State alumni. Chad Burke earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Class of 1999, and a Master of Business Administration in 2003, while Melissa Burke earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 2000. As a side note, her parents met at Ferris State.

“There was no pressure for me to attend Ferris, even with my family’s lineage. The message was they would support whatever school was right for my higher education,” Burke said. “I applied to Ferris, attended orientation on my own, and retook the Standard Achievement Test to qualify for a scholarship the university offers.” 
The pride runs deep.

“I may be the proudest knowing we are now a third-generation Ferris family,” she said. “My grandmother finds it funny that it was my choice, since my options were open. My parents usually talk about how the campus has changed since their time here, as my mother lived in Helen Ferris Hall, which came down to make space for the Robinson Quad. Ferris presented great situations for all of us.”

Another valuable discovery for Amara came by following a friend in the Mycology Club to the Shimadzu Core Laboratory for Academic and Research Excellence.

“They had talked about the Varian Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectrometer, which is capable of pulling a piece of metal off a person standing nearby and I really wanted to see that,” Burke said. “I met Lab Director ‘Sky’ Pike that day and he said while he had plenty of Biochemistry students on his E.Coli research team, there would be a need for an Environmental Biology major for their summer study work. I came back in June and took my place on the team.”

Pike had engaged students for several years in studies of a Wexford County Lake with an unknown source of wastewater that caused the municipal beach in Manton to close frequently.

“Our research work had grown to sample 10 locations at nine lakes across the District Health Department No. 10 service area,” Burke said. “With new studies on Portage and Bear Lake in Manistee County, our team was on the road all summer. Once again, I was experiencing a rather sudden but very fulfilling change to my academic and professional direction.”

Lake testing follows the outdoor swimming season from Memorial Day to early September. Burke remains busy with the Shimadzu Lab in other seasons through a role on their COVID/SARS monitoring team.

“Early on, students could collaborate in sampling wastewater as a forecasting and focused response tool,” she said. “We have moved on to take part in a multi-college process that builds a base of information on new COVID variants, Norovirus monitoring and research on influenza in its peak season. That work is valuable to the health community and a significant experience and opportunity for each student researcher.”

Burke said her wastewater and lake research roles have given her experience with instruments on both floors of the Shimadzu Lab.

“I cannot say enough about how important building my laboratory skills have been to my professional intentions,” Burke said. “Students who are not as science-focused may not grasp how valuable a learning tool the Shimadzu Lab is, and Dr. Pike wants us to be actively involved in the participation and presentation of our findings at scientific conferences. I have done this three times and understand what it means for my understanding and my resume.”

Klatt passed away unexpectedly at the end of the Spring 2024 semester, but Amara said his influence, along with that of Biological Sciences Professor Scott Herron and her Mycology Club peers have been very impactful, in terms of shaping her professional focus.

“Dr. Herron has been the advisor for the Mycology Club, and his Plants and Fungi course was a great catalyst for this new perspective on my pursuits,” Burke said. “My intentions have significantly shifted from working with animals to studying plants and organisms in the last several years.

Professor Beth Zimmer and Trish Bunce of the Biological Sciences office have also allowed me to join work study students in the Smith Greenhouse when they need an extra hand in project development, which is an enjoyable learning experience.”

Burke’s interests extend beyond the scientific, as her musical talents benefit the West Central Concert Band and their woodwind quintet during their performance seasons.

“I had joined the band in Eaton Rapids as a middle schooler and, by sixth grade, moved to playing the bassoon. I played until my Early College studies and COVID stopped all of that,” Burke said. “I met Matthew Koontz on Honors Program Move-In Day in Pickell Hall. He was my ‘wallmate.’ Matthew leads the pep band now and is on his way to serve as Drum Major for the Ferris Marching Band; back then, he got me to a band welcome meeting, where I learned there was a bassoon available on campus. I bought the reeds and have been involved with the concert band ever since.”

Burke said her abilities with the bassoon have grown through her involvement with the woodwind quintet. 
“I was self-taught coming into the Concert Band, so every student in that group has helped me musically, and the community volunteers are excellent tutors who provided a great perspective on building my skills,” Burke said. “We have a saying that the quintet is ‘three less than 40 and two greater than 60.’ Math Professor Emeritus Art Sherwood and I have performed a woodwind duet in concert, which was heart-warming.”

Even with all her studies and extracurricular involvement, Burke has time to serve as a peer mentor in the Honors program.

“I know what the program has given me. I am still friends with my peer mentor from two years ago,” Burke said. “In this final semester, I am keeping tabs on my freshman contact and am glad to give back in this fashion. The Honors Program has ‘fun days,’ designed to give our students information on faculty, programs and what new Bulldogs want to know about the university. I have found the entire experience so enjoyable.”

There is joy and pride in having her cap and gown and meeting the accomplishment of earning a college degree. Still, Burke is focused on her next steps, seeking to contribute to a laboratory setting to benefit public health or the environment.

“That means applying to local and regional health departments and various environmental-based organizations,” Burke said. “I know I can go anywhere for my first job out of Ferris, with my studies and research experience making me a most qualified candidate. All my experiences here have given me great confidence in what I can offer as I start my career.”