Destiny Kimbrough ’23 is Fully Engaged in Her STEMM Studies at Florida Southern

Desiring to study in an area that is still growing and impressed with the College’s Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, and Medicine (STEMM) programs, first-generation college student Destiny Kimbrough ’23 decided to enroll at Florida Southern College after attending Scholar’s Weekend as a high school student.

“Throughout the duration of my visit, I met people from different offices and disciplines,” Kimbrough said. “Everyone was helpful, and I felt that the program here for STEMM was an intimate experience that I could take advantage of.”

Life in the Lab

Assistant Professor of Biology Dr. Susan Banks, Ph.D., was Kimbrough’s first biology instructor at FSC. Dr. Banks has supported her since she started at the College and is currently her senior research professor.

“Destiny is an outstanding research scientist who poses interesting questions and creative solutions to problems in areas of antibiotic resistance, developmental biology, and biological impacts of environmental pollutants,” Dr. Banks said.  “She shares her passion and enthusiasm for research with other students in the department as a peer mentor, laboratory teaching assistant, and President of Scientista.”

Kimbrough is thankful to have so many mentors who are women at the College, Dr. Banks being one of them.

“She has always guided me, and I feel so happy knowing I have a professor who cares about me and with whom I have created a relationship with for over four years,” Kimbrough said.

The biotechnology major minoring in ethics was originally a biology major. Kimbrough changed her major during her junior year, after taking BIO 3700, a genetics course taught by Dr. Nancy Morvillo, Ph.D., Professor of Biology, Department Chair, and Nelson C. White Chair in the Life Sciences. The course inspired her to investigate genetics.

“I loved the lab component of the course because we worked with drosophila (fruit flies) to observe genetic inheritance by crossing the flies,” she said. “We got to crossbreed fruit flies to observe their phenotypic patterns. It was a perfect application of the material we were learning. Also, I loved the lecture portion because Dr. Morvillo kept it engaging for such a tough course.”

Professors at FSC develop close relationships with their students. Most of the professors teach several different courses in their departments. Kimbrough has taken a few classes with Dr. Morvillo.

“Destiny exceled in my courses, including Genetics and Techniques in Protein Purification,” Dr. Morvillo said. “These courses challenge students to think on a molecular level, which can be tough, but Destiny enjoys diving into difficult concepts and applying what she has learned to case studies or in the lab.  I love working with her and appreciate her curiosity.”

Lessons she has learned in the biology department have made a lasting impression on Kimbrough.

“I fell in love with genetics and learned that FSC offers biotechnology, which is a more lab based major for students interested in lab and technology in biology.”

Organizations and Employment

Kimbrough is the president of FSC’s chapter of the Scientista Foundation, an organization for women in STEMM. The goal of the organization is to support women in STEMM majors achieve their career goals. 

Additionally, she has work-study positions as a front desk student life assistant for the Student Solutions Center and works as a lab teaching assistant in the biology department. She is also a member of the Disney Club and the FSC Black Student Union (BSU)

Working under FSC’s Community Living, Kimbrough is a resident advisor (RA) for the Lake Morton Apartments. She lives in the apartment complex and oversees two of the buildings and 29 students.

“As a resident advisor, I am responsible for communicating the guidelines for our apartments, connecting my residents to on campus resources and activities, and hosting events each month for them,” Kimbrough said. “I enjoy being an RA because I have met so many friends, have been able to help so many students, and I have such a pretty view on my walk to campus each morning.”

Find Your Fit 

Making choices that are right for her is something Destiny has learned to do. She thinks every student should do the same.

“Go at your own pace,” she advises. “When I was in high school, I was always comparing myself to my peers. Academically, socially, and mentally. It is important to remember the next four years of your life are about personal growth. This is the most crucial time to learn about yourself. So be patient with that journey knowing it will all work out as it is supposed to in the end, even if you have different friends senior year than you did freshman year, and even if you change majors.”

Kimbrough knows FSC is a good fit for her.

“As a senior at Florida Southern, I will confidently say I am so happy I decided to stay at the College for my undergraduate career,” she said. “I have gained so many skills and memories being in such a close knit and helpful community.”