By: Natalie Ngong

Now that I’m a senior, certain things are dawning on me. First, that the Visual Performing Arts Library located in the basement of Cravens library might be the perfect study nook (ideal lighting, surrounded by music and books (but never dust), and usually only a few people around.)

Second, fall on the hill is gorgeous. Last year my Saturdays were spent deep in the thrall of sleep but this year I’ve had time to explore while the majority of WKU students are asleep. The campus is beautiful, with the nice breeze that comes this time of year and the trees starting to turn the vibrant orange of fall (it’s especially nice when I decide to treat myself to a cup of coffee for my walk.)

Third, this is going to be my last fall at Gatton, and depending on how college decisions work out, maybe at WKU. Next year I won’t get to use meal swipes on the seasonal fall drinks with some of the baby juniors still naïve to the joys of Java City. I won’t get to appreciate from Florence Schneider the homecoming parade when it comes down the road. I won’t get to run down to the staff member’s offices and beg for a final review of an essay before it is due (since I’m squarely in college app season and I don’t know if that’s a bad thing). In the two years that I’ve been here, Gatton has really become my home. A home filled with family and friends, and traditions that until now I didn’t realize I had. So I’ll really miss fall from my Florence Schneider home.

Natalie Ngong; A Bio

Primary Interests

Biology (Ecology/ Animal Behavior)

Medicine

Research & Study Abroad Experiences

While I’ve attended The Gatton Academy, I have been part of the Genome class, which involves research on bacteriophages or viruses that infect bacteria. I have also been part of songbird research in Alaska (specifically studying the impact of the continuous sunlight on their circadian rhythm, and specifically their ability to rear their chicks)

I studied abroad in Costa Rica during The Gatton Academy’s Costa Rican Biodiversity class with 17 other students, this course was taught by Dr. Stone. This trip gave a diversity of experiences in Costa Rican biodiversity first by giving us the opportunity to work with endangered Leatherback Turtles, by helping to monitor their nesting habits on Playa Grande, then an opportunity to travel to Cloud Bridge, a cloud rainforest in the mountains where we had the ability to form small groups and develop research topics based on specific observations of specimen in the cloud forest.

Background

I attended DuPont Manual High school in Louisville, KY. While in Louisville, I did research on the impact of glutamine on the efficiency of cardiac stem cells. I swam competitively for 10 years and played soccer, as well as ran cross country. I volunteered as swim coach for a local summer team (the Hammerheads), and participated in World Quest, Design with a Purpose, and Speech & Debate. I developed my interest in science by participating in annual science fairs at my home school, and researching topics of interest at the University of Louisville.