Cori Cahoon, Ph.D., who will soon start as an Assistant Professor at Colorado State University in January 2025, was part of the first class of the Graduate School of the Stowers Institute for Medical Research in 2012. After earning her Ph.D. in 2018, Cahoon completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Oregon and is now preparing to launch her own research lab. Reflecting on her experience, she emphasizes how the Stowers Graduate School provided an unmatched foundation to accelerate her scientific career.

When Cahoon began her graduate training, she was drawn to the Stowers Graduate School’s Ph.D. program by the unique opportunities offered to each predoctoral researcher. "The program was new, but iIt was exciting and unlike any other program I came across," Cahoon said. "The Graduate School gave me access to the latest technology, top-tier experts, and a collaborative community that would push me beyond what I could get at a traditional graduate school."

Cahoon noted that the program’s focus on hands-on learning with cutting-edge resources set it apart from other institutions. Cahoon was particularly passionate about microscopy and found that the Institute’s state-of-the-art equipment and expert guidance were invaluable. "Having access to the best tools—and people who could teach you how to use them—was a game changer," she recalled. "At other institutions, you're often left to figure things out on your own, but at Stowers, you're surrounded by people who want you to succeed."

Cahoon also highlighted how the Graduate School continually refines the program based on feedback from students and faculty. "It’s rare to see a graduate program evolve as quickly as this one. The program isn't static. It’s designed to improve each year, which ensures that students are always getting the best education,” she explained. “Now, 12 years later, I’m so impressed with the quality of education the students receive and how each year, the leadership team assesses what will best serve the students as science and technology evolve."

Perhaps the most important aspect of Cahoon’s training at Stowers was the focus on critical thinking and independence. "The PIs and Technology Center leaders taught me how to ask the right questions and design experiments to answer them," she explains. "You're not just learning techniques; you're learning how to think like a scientist,” she said. Cahoon noted the program’s structure—with clear milestones and constant support—helped her break down complex challenges into manageable steps.

Now, as Cahoon prepares to open her own lab at Colorado State, she credits the Stowers Institute and Graduate School with giving her the confidence and skills to succeed. "The foundation I received has been essential to everything I've done since," she says. "At Stowers, you're not just trained in science; you're prepared to be a leader.”

If you’re interested in applying to the Stowers Graduate School’s Ph.D. Program, click here.