Hello! My name is Carrie Reaver and I am from Thurmont, Maryland. I attended Catoctin High School and am currently a honors student at Longwood University.

I am majoring in Biology and have declared minors in Chemistry, Spanish, and Neurostudies. I have always had a love for science and since being at Longwood, that love has only increased. Not only I have enjoyed the various classes I’ve taken thus far, but I have had the opportunity to participate in  research programs with some incredibly insightful professors. I currently work in the lab of Dr. Bjoern Ludwar where we investigate the interplay of developmental stability, metabolism, and bilateral symmetry in the detection of noncommunicable disease using fruit flies as a model organism. I am looking forward to building my foundation in science as I hope to continue my education by pursing a medical degree after my time here at Longwood. After medical school, my dream is to practice as a neurologist with a large focus on clinical research in order to development preventions and treatments for neurological disorders.

Through the Honor’s college, I had the amazing opportunity to study abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina in the summer of 2019. During my five-week stay in one of the biggest cities in South America, I completed a medical Spanish course (MED SPAN 555) as well as an clinical internship at the Hospital Britanico where I rotated through internal medicine, pediatric, traumatology/ER, intensive care, and infectious diseases. The entire trip was truly life-changing and helped me define my direction in medicine as well as help me experience healthcare through a completely new perspective. In addition to the invaluable experiences in medicine, I loved the challenge of immersing myself in a foreign language and culture while also enjoying many of Argentina’s unique delights like learning the art of tango, visiting the street vendors of San Telmo, and exploring the vineyards of Mendoza amidst the foothills of the Andes Mountains. To date, this opportunity remains my favorite experience during my tenure at Longwood.

I am also a member of the Women’s Soccer team. Since a young age, I have had a passion for sports and competition, but soccer has always been my favorite. I started off playing for a small, local recreational team, then joined a regional soccer club (through which I have made some of my most favorite memories), and I even competed with a state team during high school. Now I am fulfilling my dream of playing Division I soccer here at Longwood. It is an absolute joy to play alongside such great teammates and I have enjoyed continuing to cultivate my skills and competitive spirit. It can be difficult to balance the demands of athletics on top of my academics endeavors, but I am so grateful to continue playing the sport I love in an environment that encourages my development as a leader and team player.  Being a student-athlete can be challenging, but my love for the game, encouragement from the Longwood community, and the unwavering support of my teammate and coaches have made playing college soccer  one of the most rewarding aspects of college so far.

Aside from academic and athletics, I enjoy reading, traveling, photography, being outdoors, and spending time with family and friends. Among my favorite hobbies are rock climbing and paddle boarding as well as trying new cafes and international foods.