Dr. Sarah Elsea always had a love for science and medicine, but wasn’t sure where she was going to study for her bachelors degree until she received a Presidential Scholarship from Missouri State.
“It helped seal the deal,” said Elsea. “I received an excellent education at MSU. I had opportunities for research and internships that students at other institutions did not have. These experiences helped guide me and prepare me for the choices that I later made in my educational path and in my career.”
Elsea received her bachelor of science in chemistry with a minor in biology in 1990, but she always carried her Missouri State experiences with her.
“I was also quite involved in a variety of student groups while on campus, and those groups absolutely enhanced my experience at MSU,” said Elsea. “These groups included Pride Band and wind ensembles, Student Alumni Association—now called R.E.A.L. Bears—Tri-Beta, student ACS and others.”
At her upcoming visit to MSU to speak at a seminar Feb. 24, Elsea is going to discuss an emerging area in genetic diagnostics called clinical metabolomics.
“We have developed a process that when integrated with genomic analysis, improves diagnosis of rare inborn errors of metabolism, providing diagnoses for individuals and families affected by these rare conditions,” said Elsea.
She has had the chance to visit campus since her time as a student, and she always enjoys returning.
“I enjoy visiting with the faculty who were here when I was a student, and meeting new faculty and students, as well,” said Elsea. “I was given some really fantastic opportunities when I was at MSU and was surrounded by faculty that cared about my education and path in life. I’m happy to come back and to support the work that is happening on campus.”
Elsea is currently associate professor of molecular and human genetics at Baylor College of Medicine and is Senior Division Director of Biochemical Genetics at Baylor Genetics. She received her Ph.D. in biochemistry from Vanderbilt University.