Nathaniel Wright '17 has always loved biology. He started out pre-med at Wheaton with plans to pursue an M.D. “Along the way, I’ve discovered that I really enjoy doing research with professors,” he says. 

As a biology major with a chemistry minor, Nathaniel is a Goldwater Scholarship recipient for the 2016-17 academic year, which is considered the nation’s premier undergraduate award for the sciences. In the long term, Nathaniel aspires to get an M.D./Ph.D and teach at the university level, focusing on epidemiology and immunology. 

While he spends plenty of time in the lab, Nathaniel makes a point to engage in extracurricular activities at Wheaton including Men’s Glee Club and Discipleship Small Groups. This summer, Nathaniel is volunteering with Youth Hostel Ministry in Santiago, Spain. After graduation, he plans to work in a lab setting and apply to graduate school. 

“The biology department has set me up well for being a professional biologist,” Nathaniel says. “It has also taught me about the body of Christ. So much of what I learn here is how to be a friend and how to be in community with others.”

NAME: Nathaniel Edwin Wright ’17 

MAJOR: Biology 

MINOR: Chemistry 

HOMETOWN: Wheaton, IL

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES: Men's Glee Club, Youth Hostel Ministry, Discipleship Small Groups, Wheaton Passage leader at Honeyrock, music ministry (cello), biology research and teaching assistant

FUN FACT: Nathaniel has researched and analyzed the blood samples of toucans with associate professor of biology Dr. Rodney Scott