Matt graduated from Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ) with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Biomedical Sciences and an Associate in Science (A.S.) in Biotechnology Laboratory Technology. Today, he works in the Department of Cancer Biology on in-vitro ovarian cancer experimentation at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville. His primary project is to elucidate the role of hormones and cytokines in initiation, survival and progression of ovarian carcinomas via gene regulation and subsequent phenotypic modifications.

Matt says his favorite memory from FSCJ is graduating with his girlfriend, who is also a biomedical sciences graduate. He was selected for an internship at the Mayo Clinic as part of the Biotechnology Laboratory A.S. program. Matt was hired when the internship concluded. Now, after graduating from the Biomedical Sciences B.S. program, his position is being upgraded once again. "FSCJ supplied me with the opportunity to work at one of the best institutes in the world for my field of research,” he said.

Matt encourages those who currently study at FSCJ to take advantage of the helpful professors and affordable tuition that the College offers.

“The professors care about your success,” he says. “You will get a good education if you are willing to put in the effort, and afterwards, you can go on to a great graduate or professional school or work for great companies, no matter where your undergraduate degree comes from."

To read more about Matt’s journey, visit the FSCJ Foundation’s website.