Supporting undergraduate researchers
Meet Tobie Bertisch ’25, former lab manager and research assistant for the Purpose & Identity Lab in the Bronfenbrenner Center for Translational Research. In 2024, she was a summer intern for the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Monroe County. She is also a former undergraduate research assistant for the Cornell University Adolescent Transitions Laboratory.
Tell me about a time you had to try something new.
While studying abroad in Madrid, I realized that I might not want to go to medical school. At this point, I was three years into the pre-med track and planning to spend my summer studying for the MCAT.
It was already mid-March at this point, and my options for summer internships were quickly dwindling. Thankfully, I received an email from Cornell Human Ecology about summer internships. I was lucky enough to interview for a couple, and I received an offer to work for a youth development program through Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) and 4-H Monroe County.
This job combined many of my interests: nature, youth development, health, and volunteer work. The only issue was that it required me to move to Rochester, New York. I grew up in southern Westchester, 6.5 hours away, and I did not know a single person there.
My boss, Rachel DeVona, was incredible. She was newly hired to lead the Cultivating Community program. Together, we led a group of teens in community service, nature projects, workplace skills, agricultural education, and financial literacy programming. At the beginning, I worried about connecting with a group of kids who came from a much different background than I did. However, our proximity in age allowed me to form bonds with them and relate to them in a unique way. They were very vulnerable with me.
I also had the privilege of leading my own healthy cooking program every Tuesday. Together, we cooked different healthy meals every week, such as veggie quesadillas and sweet potato fries. The students turned it into a group cooking competition. They got very competitive, and we had lots of fun.
As the summer went on, I began to forget about all of my previous reservations about living in Rochester. I formed very strong relationships with the students in the program. We would make jokes at each other, share stories, play tag, do arts and crafts, and we were always sad to leave at the end of the day.
Describe an experience that inspired you to chart a new path.
I have been on the pre-med track since I came to Cornell, but for the past four years, I have been on the fence about whether I should pursue medical school or graduate school for psychology.
Cornell has provided me with so much flexibility that I feel well prepared to enter either the field of medicine or psychology. The wide range of research being done at Cornell also permitted me to dive into many of my interests at once.
I was able to conduct psychology research in the Purpose & Identity Processes Lab with Professor Anthony Burrow. I also studied reproductive health in the Adolescent Transitions Lab with Professor Jane Mendle. The professors at Cornell have also been an invaluable resource in guiding me through this decision. Professors Lauren Korfine and Cindy Hazan have both been generous enough to meet with me, so I could pick their brains and learn about their careers in psychology. Their generosity with their time and care for their students is admirable.
I know that whichever path I choose to take, I will be well prepared and well supported, and I have Cornell to thank for that.
Tell us about an impactful Cornell experience.
Speaking fluent Spanish has been a goal of mine since middle school, but I was unable to minor in it because of my heavy course load. However, I was able to practice the language during my study abroad in Madrid. I only spoke Spanish with my host mother, and my fluency improved immensely during this time.
After this experience, I took Spanish for medical and health professionals. I enjoyed this class so much that it inspired me to accept a job after graduation. I’ll be working as a medical assistant at a Spanish-speaking health clinic in Utah. I will be saving my textbook from this class and using it to practice before I start working!
