Robert Wood

Robert Wood enrolled at FIU unsure of what career to pursue. He met Psychology Professor Lindsay Malloy and worked as a research assistant in her lab studying adult false confessions and children’s accounts of past events. His honors thesis examines how children respond to being coached to lie by their parents when questioned by authorities.

While immersing himself in psychology, Robert was also determined to take his weakest subject – chemistry – and make it one of his strongest. Putting in extra time and effort, the B’s and C’s on his exams became A’s. He became a chemistry learning assistant and teaching assistant under Senior Lecturer Uma Swamy. Robert did research on how to better teach chemistry and how to deliver targeted cancer treatments more effectively.

Robert is earning bachelor’s degrees in psychology and chemistry with a 3.93 GPA. He is a member of Phi Beta Kappa Society, the nation’s oldest honor society for the liberal arts and sciences.

Outside the classroom, Robert served as vice president of the FIU Chemical Society and member of FIU’s Student Success Committee. He also developed STEM outreach programs for local K-12 students.  A shadowing experience under Physician Moises Irizarry inspired Robert to pursue a career in medicine.

After graduation, Robert will work as a medical scribe, attend a mission trip to Peru and apply to medical school. He wants to specialize in family medicine and sports medicine.

By Evelyn Perez