This section profiles former MORE participants who have excelled in their fields. We hope that the profiles will give students an idea of the types of careers available with science degrees and the paths others have taken to achieve those careers.

The Path to Success: From MARC Student to Toxicologist
By Jilliene Mitchell, NIGMS

Update (February 23, 2009):

King has been working as a toxicologist with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the past six years. In this position, she has made major contributions in assessing the risks of pesticides while characterizing their susceptibility to humans. In addition, King serves as a member of the EPA’s Toxicology Scientific Advisory Committee. She has received the EPA Administrators’ Science Achievement Award and the Office of Pollution, Prevention and Toxics Teamwork Award. She has been a member of the Society of Toxicology (SOT) since 1999 and has been a recognized participant of the Minority Undergraduate Program, now the Committee on Diversity Initiatives, since 2003. Recently, King was featured in the SOT's Communiqué newsletter for her public service activities as a guest lecturer at North Carolina Central University and at LaGrange College in Georgia. She is also an outreach volunteer and mentor with the Smyrna Clayton Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware, where she resides with her two children.

It seems as though Marquea King, Ph.D., was destined for a career in science. An animal lover since childhood, King's parents thought that she would one day become a veterinarian.

"I was always able to convince my parents to let me save stray animals or wounded rodents that our cats seemed to constantly get hold of," King said, referring to herself as an "animal crusader" by the age of 7.

"While in high school, I had an early interest in science not only due to my love of animals and a home full of pets, but also because chemistry came to me quickly and I picked up on the subject matter well--it seemed only natural to continue pursuing science in college," she explained.

As an undergraduate student at Delaware State University (DSU), King had several professors who served as role models to her. They gave her encouragement and made her believe she had the ability to pursue a doctoral degree.

King's experiences during summer internships at the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, the University of Pennsylvania, and the National Institute on Aging also had an impact on her.

"I was able to do hands-on research with mammals and amphibians, and I even had the opportunity to deal with human subjects," she said.

During these internships, she met great mentors and gained experience--in addition to becoming more confident of her decision to pursue a career in science.

King earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry at DSU in 1997 and went on to the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Her interest in science continued to flourish during her graduate education, but she reached a point of where she felt "burned out" and tired of lab life. As a solution, she joined various graduate societies and organizations. Taking on leadership positions with these groups, King served as president of the Black Graduate Student Organization and the Graduate Student Assembly, and she was the first African American chair of the Commission on Student Affairs at Virginia Tech. King soon discovered that mixing science with extracurricular activities helped to rejuvenate her passion for science.

"I was able to maintain a healthy balance, and that is a major reason why my interest in science continued for such a great period of time," she commented.

King attributes much of her success during college to the MARC program, calling it a "fundamental part" of her professional upbringing. At DSU, the MARC program provided her with tuition, a stipend, training, and books. The program also offered her the opportunity to present her research at national scientific meetings.

"I surpassed all my expectations because of the educational, emotional, and social assistance the MARC program provided," she said.

At Virginia Tech, King received a MARC predoctoral fellowship, which supplied her with a stipend and funds for tuition and fees during the last 3 years of her studies. In 2002, she received her Ph.D. in toxicology.

King is now a toxicologist with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in Washington, DC, where she works with the agency's National Advisory Committee on Acute Exposure Guideline Levels. The committee develops guidelines for toxic chemicals to assist emergency responders and other organizations in preventing, planning for, and responding to emergencies involving hazardous spills and exposures. She also finds herself in a position to serve as role model to others. Coming from a family in which few went to college, King said she wanted to let her siblings and their children know that "they, too, are capable [of achieving success]."

In addition, King takes time to give scientific and motivational talks to current MARC participants and other aspiring minority scientists.

"The MARC program has given me the tools and the opportunities to be a true role model... as well as a key figure in the lives of other promising students."

If you know an outstanding former MARC, MBRS, or Bridges participant who has excelled professionally and you would like to nominate that person as a future Update profile subject, please let us know. Your suggestions are always welcome.