Michael Coggins is already an accomplished young scientist majoring in Chemistry (with a second major in Biology). He is an exemplary student with a number of outstanding achievements already to his credit, but more than this, he personifies what the College of Arts and Sciences would like for all its students…to become engaged not only in the intellectual pursuits that bring academic success, but in research and other creative activities that connect them to the larger contexts of their chosen disciplines.

Michael is a Magellan Scholar, a Harper award winner in his junior year, and recipient of the American Association for the Advancement of Science Award for Outstanding Male Undergraduate Scientist presented at the Sigma Xi banquet in Charleston, SC in April of this year. Key to his success is his attitude towards learning that differentiates understanding from memorization. His desire to understand has led him along several different research pathways, mastering new techniques and applying them to questions of import. He has studied algae with Dr. Jay Pinckney in the Biological Sciences, and proteins with Dr. John Dawson in Chemistry and Biochemistry. In fact, he is one of several authors on a paper from Dr. Dawson's laboratory in a recent volume of the journal Inorganic Biochemistry (see full reference below). His challenge for this academic year will be on research in cancer with Dr. David Resiman in Biology.

Michael is from Travelers Rest, SC, and is the first member of his family to attend College. In high school, science was not his favorite subject, at least until he was exposed to an AP Biology course that he credits with instilling in him the serious love of chemistry and biology. He chose USC because of the rigor of its curriculum and the opportunities to become involved in scientific research. His mother and stepfather Donna and Chuck Garrett, who still live in the Greenville area, are understandably proud of him, and Michael looks forward to his two younger sisters following in his footsteps to USC.

While it is true that Michael devotes much of his time and energy to chemistry and biology, he also has a deep interest in Philosophy and enjoys the very different ways in which philosophers analyze the world around us. For Michael, "learning for the sake of learning" is not a mere catch phrase, but a fundamental principle that continues to guide his intellectual growth. As this academic year begins, Michael is beginning to consider graduate schools across the country, taking the next step in his academic journey, a journey that we are proud to say he has begun with us in the College of Arts and Sciences.

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