Health and Human Services News

A life of excellence in sports and service

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Lily DeSpain’s life is filled with adventure, dedication and service.  

The 2024 Missouri State University alumna has made waves in the pool as a swimmer for the Naval Academy and Missouri State. She is also currently a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army and studying medicine at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) as part of her Health Professions Scholarship from the army. Her goal is to become a military doctor. 

“Becoming a military doctor combines my two greatest passions: serving others and practicing medicine,” DeSpain said. “The Army needs doctors, and I’m honored to step into this role.” 

A swimming champ

Lily DeSpain - a swimming champ
Lily DeSpain in the pool

A native of Springdale, Arkansas, DeSpain grew up in California and Beijing, China. She graduated from Haas Hall Academy in Arkansas, then studied at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, with both of her older sisters.  

After three semesters at the academy as a student and swimmer, she chose to enter the transfer portal and accepted an offer to join Missouri State in spring 2022. At Missouri State, DeSpain excelled in both academics and athletics. She graduated magna cum laude in May 2024 with a degree in cell and molecular biology and minors in biomedical sciences, chemistry and Chinese.  

As a member of Missouri State’s Swimming and Diving team for two years, she set Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) records in the 400-yard individual medley (4:14.92), 400-yard freestyle relay (3:18.87) and 800-yard freestyle relay (7:12.19). She won seven MVC Championship gold medals, five of which came in last year’s title meet, to lead the Bears to their seventh and eighth consecutive MVC crowns.  

DeSpain made the All-MVC first team and MVC Scholar-Athlete team in both seasons at Missouri State. She was named the 2024 MVC Swimming and Diving Scholar-Athlete of the Year. 

For her record-setting swimming career and impact as a student-athlete, DeSpain was named one of the top 30 honorees for the 2024 NCAA Woman of the Year award.  

According to DeSpain, she is incredibly humbled to receive this honor. 

“Every achievement reminds me of the people who supported me. It’s about teamwork and perseverance,” she said. “Missouri State gave me everything I needed — support, inspiration and the chance to grow.” 

Finding purpose in service 

Despite her busy schedule as a student-athlete, DeSpain made time to engage in volunteer work and extracurricular activities.  

On campus, she volunteered as a peer tutor and participated in the Pre-Medical Committee. She also served as president of Tau Sigma National Honor Society and the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

Lily DeSpain - a future military doctor
Lily DeSpain at UAMS.

To learn more about the medical field, DeSpain gained hands-on experience as a phlebotomist and contributed to impactful research through a HIV research lab group. In addition, she volunteered in local hospitals.

“Helping others has always been my goal, whether through swimming, service or medicine,” she said. 

Military and service: a family affair 

DeSpain is part of a family dedicated to serving their country. Her mother served in the Air Force as a translator and her father is a former FBI agent. Her sisters are Navy submarine officers. 

“Service is in my blood,” she said. “I wanted to follow their example and make a difference.”  

DeSpain hopes her story inspires others to follow their passions, no matter what the challenges.  “Don’t be afraid to dream big,” she said. “With hard work and support, anything is possible.” 

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Sharing research with excellence

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Four graduate students represented McQueary College of Health and Human Services (MCHHS) with pride and poise at this year’s 3 Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition. 

The Missouri State Graduate College hosted the competition on Nov. 8, showcasing graduate students’ research. They had to present their research orally in three minutes or less. 

Danny Vlasin, a Doctorate of Nurse Anesthesia Practice student, won first place. His research highlighted the potential of a new drug called Remimazolam.  

His ability to simplify complex research while highlighting the drug’s transformative potential made his work stand out.  

“This win reflects the dedication and effort of my entire team, including Christian Thomas and Jenna Scheer, in this project,” Vlasin said. “We’re excited to share our research and provide valuable insights into new findings in anesthesia care that affect many lives.” 

For winning, he gets to represent Missouri State at the regional competition during the Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools conference in April next year. 

Modernizing anesthesia 

Vlasin’s winning thesis title is “Remimazolam: A New Medication for Procedural and General Sedation.” Remimazolam (Byfavo) is a safer sedation with faster recovery times. It is a more effective alternative compared to traditional anesthesia medications.  

He chose to research this drug for his doctoral project to address critical gaps in anesthesia safety and improve patient care. His research involved a comprehensive literature review of clinical trials. His study revealed highly favorable results for using Remimazolam in both procedural sedation and general anesthesia.  

“I want to educate the public and health care professionals about this awesome new medication,” Vlasin said.  

In his presentation, he stated: “The next time a doctor asks how to proceed with the care of a loved one, respond with this question: ‘Hey doc, have you heard of Remimazolam?’”

The other presentations by MCHHS Bears

From left to right: Ako Rostampour, Olivia Johnson and Emma Liimatta.
From left to right: Ako Rostampour, Olivia Johnson and Emma Liimatta.

These MCHHS students also delivered commendable presentations at the competition: 

  • Emma Liimatta, cell and molecular biology: “How Does the Protein RAD23 Aid in Repairing DNA?”
    Her research explored critical molecular mechanisms that may advance cancer treatments and genetic therapies. 
  • Olivia Johnson, biomedical sciences: “The Similarities Between Viruses and Vampires: Approaches to Triumph over Them”
    She drew fascinating parallels between infectious diseases and vampire folklore, offering a fresh perspective on combating emerging health threats. 
  • Ako Rostampour, cell and molecular biology: “Let’s Run to Outrun Alzheimer’s”
    His work shed light on innovative strategies for understanding and addressing Alzheimer’s disease. 

Congratulations to all four students for their outstanding achievements and contributions to advancing knowledge in health-related areas. 

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Fostering inclusivity at MCHHS

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Missouri State University and the McQueary College of Health and Human Services (MCHHS) are taking strides to promote inclusivity.  

Guided by the inclusivity principles distributed by the MSU president’s office, MCHHS aims to create a more inclusive campus environment. By aligning with MSU’s public affairs mission, MCHHS encourages cultural competence among faculty, staff and students.  

Dr. Randi Ulbricht, assistant professor of biomedical sciences, sheds light on the college’s efforts to embrace inclusivity. 

“If we can provide some tips and tricks that make life easier for just one student or subset of students, that’s when we know it was worth it,” Ulbricht said.  

The Inclusive Excellence Challenge

The Inclusive Excellence Challenge encourages teams of faculty, staff and students to attend events and support inclusive initiatives on campus and in the community.  The challenge is about making participants aware of existing resources that can aid their journey toward inclusivity.  

“Through the Inclusive Excellence Challenge, MCHHS can foster a supportive community at MSU,” Ulbricht said. 

The challenge runs throughout the spring semester, with a showcase event in May. The showcase will allow participants to share what they’ve learned and accomplished, as well as offer them a chance to win prizes.  Apply to join the festivities.  

Workshops and initiatives

MCHHS hosted the Inclusive Syllabus workshop. It gave faculty members tools to make their syllabi more inclusive. Another will be the Inclusive Advising workshop led by MCHHS Student Success and Advising Center, which focuses on exploring ethical frameworks for advising practices. This workshop will take place Feb. 28. 

By encouraging attendance at workshops and participation in student organizations, MCHHS can help to dismiss inclusive misconceptions.  

Targeting specific needs  

As the university’s student population becomes more diverse, it is important to recognize and address the needs of specific student groups. This includes efforts to support first-generation college students as it can be difficult for them to navigate the hidden curriculum. Workshops can help students face new challenges and provide equal opportunities for success.  

“We, the professors, are at the ground of this, but we’re often the barrier as well,” Ulbricht said. “If we can break that down and be the person that invites them into college, then that goes a long way.”  

A call to awareness

MCHHS wants individuals to understand that they care deeply about students and want to make the MSU campus the most welcoming place it can be.  

“We’re always here, but it’s so hard to be heard over the noise sometimes,” Ulbricht said. “This felt like a good way to let people know we care.”  

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MSU alumna thrives at Massachusetts General Hospital

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Studying cell and molecular biology and graduating with her bachelor’s degree in May 2021 and her master’s degree in August 2022 from Missouri State University, Emma Wise has only continued to move onward and upward.  

Positive MoState memories 

For the first few years of college, Wise was a flute and piccolo player for the MSU Pride Marching Band. She had a wonderful experience and met a lot of great people through the music program.

In her free time and while studying, Wise loved to spend time on campus.

“I always enjoyed the fountain and the hammock stations. One of my all-time favorite spots to relax was behind the Plaster Student Union, especially in the spring when the trees are in bloom.”  

Oodles of hands-on research 

Because MSU allows undergraduate students to participate in research, Wise learned proper lab etiquette, how to operate complex equipment and how to properly analyze results. 

Wise started volunteering in Dr. Amy Hulme’s lab in 2019 where they investigated the early steps of HIV-1 replication. Wise continued this research when she transitioned to working on her master’s degree — finally completing her thesis on how the cellular factor Cyclophilin-A interacts with HIV-1.

“Missouri State fully prepared me for my current position,” she said. “Participating in real research early on in my academic career helped me gain the skills I use every day in my current profession.”   

Wise working on cell cultures in a laminar hood.

Life in the Anderson Lab  

Wise now works for the Wellman Center of Photomedicine in the Anderson Lab at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH). Her focus is on how lasers and light can help the body.  

The lab’s current project involves studying how specific wavelengths of red light can affect muscle endurance. To do this, Wise treats muscle cells with light and then ‘exercises’ them using electric pulse stimulation to make them contract.   

After the exercise regimen, she analyzes different cellular byproducts, such as adenosine triphosphate (ATP) or lactate, to see what effect the light has on exercising cells.  

Recently, red light therapy is being considered for patients to help with blood flow and skin conditions, as well as to relieve muscle pain. Wise loves learning exactly how this light can affect the body at a cellular level.

“I’m enjoying my time at MGH and learning a lot from the Anderson Lab, as well as the other labs at the Wellman Center.”

Wise hopes to continue her education and become a research fellow — that way she can conduct her own research on any topic. For the time being, she’s content with exploring the research world and learning more about cell biology.

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