Biography

Mary Niederlehner recently completed her B.S. in Psychology at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in Richmond, Virginia, graduating magna cum laude. Following graduation, she continued to undertake work with VCU as part of a volunteer-for-degree credit program. A Laboratory Research Assistant in the VCU Biopsychology Department, Mary Niederlehner helped the lab manager with routine injections and animal handling, and conducted atypical antipsychotic drug experimental research. She also performed required data entry and analysis functions.

Ms. Niederlehner began her higher academic studies as a PACES participant at the University of South Carolina in Columbia in Summer 2007. The PACES program is geared to incoming students considering a pre-medicine academic path. Working under the guidance of a board-certified dermatologist, Mary Niederlehner provided office assistance with a daily schedule of outpatient surgeries, check ups, and laboratory analysis.

Building on subsequent studies at Virginia Western Community College in Roanoke, Mary Niederlehner entered VCU in 2009 and consistently earned Dean’s List status over the course of three semesters. From late 2009 through early 2011, she job-shadowed surgeons and anesthesiologists at Roanoke Memorial Hospital, and gained practical skills in her area of academic interest.

Joining the Psi Chi National Psychology Honor Society in the fall of 2010, Mary Niederlehner also accepted responsibilities as treasurer. She participated in the society’s Carver Greenhouse Project in early 2011, which involved designing and planting gardens in collaboration with local elementary school students. With a passion for travel, Mary Niederlehner has visited more than a dozen countries. She enjoys exercise, cooking, and playing piano in her free time.