Sarah Eby and Elisabeth Driscoll used to be teammates on the Montana State track and field team.
But during their years at MSU, their paths didn't cross very much. Eby, a pole vaulter, was a pre-physical therapy major from Alaska, and Driscoll was a double major in German and mechanical engineering from Bozeman.
These days, Eby and Driscoll are back on the same team. Both are at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota studying biomedical engineering.
After graduating from MSU in 2008, Eby went straight to the graduate program at Mayo. She's in the Medical Scientist Training Program at the clinic, which is an eight-year track that grants both a PhD and a medical degree. Driscoll arrived this summer after taking a year off, having graduated from MSU in 2009.
The two see each other quite often despite the fact they are on different tracks. Typical days are long and consist of both lab and class work.
“Right now, Elisabeth and I are just beginning our PhD training,” Eby said. “We spend a lot of time in classes that involve a lot of scientific reading and team projects. After about two years of coursework, my focus will shift solely to lab-related work to complete my thesis. I try and work out as well in between. I'll take the dog running or biking, and play other sports with my classmates.”
Driscoll's day is similar.
“Right now I'm working on small lab projects that can be completed in eight weeks or so,” Driscoll said. “It's tough to see the bigger picture right now. That's why I really appreciate being located in the clinic. As we walk to our classes, we see patients walking around the hospital and it serves as a good reminder to me of why I came here. During my free time, I try and get a run in every day. I also keep up with climbing—a hobby I picked up since graduation.”
When asked about the most interesting part of the program, Eby cited the overlap of her M.D. and PhD programs.
“I like the idea of being able to combine the broad medical training necessary for becoming a physician with the intense academic training of earning a PhD,” Eby said.
Driscoll enjoys the challenge of bringing her undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering into play.
“I am very interested in bringing the mechanical engineering principles I learned at MSU into clinical applications,” Driscoll said. “Mayo Graduate School is an incredible program to be a part of because of the research opportunities.”
Eby first heard about Mayo from her research mentor at MSU who spent some time at Mayo between his master's and doctorate degrees. He encouraged her to check out the program. Driscoll points back to Eby as one of the reasons she landed at Mayo.
“Sarah played a big role in bringing Mayo to my attention,” Driscoll said. “I got to hear her talk a lot about it during her senior year at MSU when she was trying to make her decision where to go next. So when it came time for me to figure out my next step, it was one of the first programs I looked into. The rest is history, I guess.”
The two have different goals for their studies. Driscoll sees herself in the classroom in a university setting running a lab and teaching classes. After Mayo, Eby would like to pursue a pediatrics specialty in physical medicine and rehabilitation. She is also interested in research.
Looking back at their experiences at MSU, both were eager to talk about how MSU, and specifically the track and field program, had influenced them.
“My education at MSU did a great job of preparing me not only for medical school, but also for the research I am doing in grad school,” Eby said. “The research that I was able to be a part of while an undergrad at MSU has been incredibly valuable as I transition into medical school.”
Driscoll says she uses the tools she learned at MSU on a daily basis. She cites the confidence built into her by the people she interacted with at Montana State as a key in her success.
“The most obvious tools are the engineering and science skills I learned through my coursework,” Driscoll said. “I also value the training I received in professionalism—interacting and developing solid relationships with instructors, supervisors, and mentors. They built me up to believe that I could do anything that I set my mind to, and their support has brought me a long way.”
Interestingly, Driscoll points to her injuries in collegiate running as something that sparked her interest in biomedical engineering.
“Persevering through overuse injuries in distance running caused me to spend a lot of time around the trainers at MSU and also with John Sveen, a local therapist in Bozeman. It was through all that adversity I first discovered an interest in biomechanics,” Driscoll said. “That perseverance carries over into all areas of my life.”
Eby credits MSU vaulting coach Tom Eitel with mentoring her and helping her overcome the challenges of college life.
“He'd always joke about my unlikely journey to MSU,” Eby said. “As a too-tall gymnast, I wanted to learn to pole vault and Coach Eitel gave me a chance at MSU. I had no idea I'd be learning from such an outstanding coach and mentor. I can remember countless practices where he'd not only teach me how to vault, but also inquired about class, school work and life in general—and always wanted me to achieve all that I could.
“He was perhaps the first person that really got me pondering just what I wanted to do next. Those conversations encouraged me to revisit my earlier leanings towards medicine. He taught me about work/life balance—in college that meant sleep, nutrition, training and class. I am comforted to know that it still means much of the same things Coach Eitel taught me—but instead of pole vault heights, I'm trying to become a good doctor and scientist.”
