Honor Society® member
Maria Dupre
Student Researcher at University of Houston College of Optometry
- University of Houston
- Optometry
- Class of 2017
- Orange, TX
Member since December 2013
About
Currently, I am a second year Optometry student at University of Houston researching within the department for the summer. Our topic of study is corneal nerves and the ways in which they are affected by high fat diets. The OD program at UHCO lasts four years and may continue into a residency afterwards for specialties like ocular disease and foreign body removal. Over the course of our first year, I had offices of Class Historian and Noteservice Distributor. I have really enjoyed my schooling thus far, and I came from an equally interesting undergraduate program at McNeese State University.
At McNeese, I graduated after three years of study with my Bachelor's of Science in Biology, minoring in chemistry and Classical studies. While attending McNeese, I had my first taste of research with Dr.s Juliana Hinton and Harry Meyer, who were studying the speciation of tardigrades, i.e., "waterbears." When we found promising allometric trends in the morphology of tardigrade species from national parks in TX, LA and MS, I presented posters at the Louisiana Academy of Science and the Southwestern Association of Naturalists during my senior year (2013). Apart from research, I always had odd jobs at McNeese, including staff writing for the student newspaper and operating the Infobooth in the Student Union. I was privileged to hold offices within my favorite organizations: Sigma Tau Delta (Student Government representative), Students for Life (Vice President) and McNeese Honors College (Historian and Events Coordinator).
Education
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University of Houston
Optometry
2013 – 2017
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McNeese State University
Biology
2010 – 2013
Honors and awards
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Golden Brothers Endowment Scholarship
First year award for entering Optometry students
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Love of Learning Award
Award for detailed undergraduate research projects
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Summa Cum Laude Graduate
Exiting honor for graduates of McNeese State University
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Junior's Service Award
Award given by McNeese Honors College for community service
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1st place, Level B, of the Louisiana State Harp Rally
Recognition given based on tests of performance and music theory
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MSU Student Employee of the Year Runner Up
Nomination given by a supervisor in appreciation for work done
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Girl Scout Gold Award
Award given for completion of a successful community project, in this case, a butterfly garden for the seniors of St. Francis of Assisi
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National Merit Finalist
Designation granted by the national entity
Goals and interests
- Career goal
After school and potentially a residency in foreign body removal, I intend to join a private practice and learn more about the practical business aspects of running a practice before opening my own. I would like to exercise my schooling through volunteer work along with the day to day work in practice.
I am also interested in earning my PhD and teaching, in either Classical studies or Optometry-related classes, after raising a family with my husband and practicing Optometry for the bulk of my career.- Graduate school interests
My interests in Grad School include volunteering for the animal shelter and clinical screenings around town (such as for the SEARCH Homeless clinic), researching and staying involved with my class.
- Outside the classroom
I enjoy cooking, gardening, crafts, poetry, mechanics and skating.
Experience
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Student Researcher
University of Houston College of Optometry
May 2014 – Aug 2014
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GED/ESL Tutor
Houston Community College and Student homes
Oct 2013 – Jun 2014
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Noteservice Distributor
University of Houston College of Optometry
Aug 2013 – May 2014
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Copy Editor
Daily Cougar Newspaper
Aug 2013 – Jun 2014
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Assistant Optician
Orange Family Eye Care
May 2013 – Aug 2013
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Technique Coach
City of Orange Swim Team
May 2013 – Aug 2013
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Staff Writer
MSU Contraband Newspaper
Oct 2012 – May 2013
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Summer Scholar
Shangri La Botanical Gardens
May 2012 – Aug 2012
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Student Researcher
McNeese State University: Biology Department
Jan 2012 – May 2013
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Student Assistant
McNeese State University: Union Office
Aug 2011 – May 2013
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Cashier and Box Officer
Showbiz Cinemas
Mar 2011 – Dec 2013
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Assistant Lab Coordinator
McNeese State University: Biology Department
Aug 2010 – Aug 2011
Volunteering
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Treasurer
Fellowship of Christian Optometrists
May 2014 – Jun 2014
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Clinic volunteer
Students Volunteering Optometric Services to Humanity
Mar 2014 – Jun 2014
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Cat care and dog walker
Houston BARC
Feb 2014 – Jun 2014
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Reading Program Volunteer
Orange Public Library
Jul 2013
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Vice President
McNeese Students for Life
May 2012 – May 2013
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Events Coordinator
McNeese Honors College
May 2012 – May 2013
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Assistant Coach
City of Orange Swim Team
May 2009 – Aug 2012
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Curator and animal caretaker
Shangri La Botanical Gardens
May 2008 – Aug 2011
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Gardener and vocalist
St. Francis of Assisi
Aug 2006 – Jun 2014
Languages
- English (US) Advanced
- Spanish Beginner
- lingua latina Intermediate
Additional information
Organizations
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American Academy of Optometry (opens in a new tab)
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Students Volunteering Optometric Services to Humanity (opens in a new tab)
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American Optometric Student Association (opens in a new tab)
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Students' Texas Optometric Association (opens in a new tab)
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Phi Sigma Iota International Foreign Language Society (opens in a new tab)
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Sigma Tau Delta International English Honor Society (opens in a new tab)
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Phi Kappa Phi (opens in a new tab)
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Fellowship of Christian Optometrists (opens in a new tab)
