Riley Coulter has called the Bloomingdale neighborhood home for 21 years, living there with her supportive family: mom Jill Coulter, dad Jack Coulter, and her 17-year-old brother, Harris. As a rising senior at West Virginia University (WVU), Riley is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering with a minor in Molecular Medicine. With plans to graduate in May 2025, Riley aims to pursue an MD/PhD graduate degree and dreams of one day working at the CDC.

Reflecting on her journey, Riley shares, “I’ve always been a curious person, someone who loves learning new things and asking thousands of questions, so working in a research setting made sense for me. I instantly fell in love with the work and knew that this career path was perfect for me.”

Riley is the President of WVU Out in STEM, Vice President of the Appalachian Advocacy Network, a Statler College Ambassador, and has held roles such as Former Statler College Senator and Current Elections Chair in the Student Government Association.

Riley’s passion for research began in her sophomore year when she participated in the Research Apprenticeship Program (RAP) at WVU. “In my sophomore year, I had my first experience working in a biomedical sciences research lab. This experience expanded my network of friends and professional opportunities exponentially,” she explains.

This summer Riley is currently working at Harvard University studying malaria. “Being at a school like Harvard has been such an incredible experience. I am soaking up every aspect I can, attending as many talks as possible, meeting amazing scientists, and trying to absorb as much information and experience as possible,” Riley enthuses.

Riley’s dedication to her extracurricular activities has allowed her to attend conferences and meet other passionate students. “Just this past year, I was selected to attend the Big XII on The Hill Conference in DC with our Student Government Association. Meeting with our state representatives and discussing issues college students in our state face was an incredible experience, especially for someone interested in public policy,” Riley recalls.

Balancing her academic, extracurricular, and personal life, Riley makes sure to complete her schoolwork before the weekend to spend time with friends and relax. “Having the weekend to turn off my school brain lets me fully recharge and feel ready to attack the new week,” she notes. She also credits her amazing support system for helping her stay grounded.

“My family has shaped me into the person I am today, and for that, I am so grateful. I wouldn’t be able to chase my dreams and experience all of these awesome things without them behind me,” Riley expresses.

With her determination and positive outlook, there is no doubt that Riley will achieve her dreams and make significant contributions to the field of biomedical engineering and public health.