Leaving her small town of Washingtonville, N.Y., to come to Cornell, Melanie Van Sise had big dreams, hoping to someday become a primary care physician. En route, she says she was immediately drawn to the College of Human Ecology's "warm and welcoming atmosphere," and decided to major in human development.

During her sophomore year, Van Sise began conducting research with Richard Canfield, a senior research associate in nutritional sciences, studying the effects of prenatal stress on infants affected by the World Trade Center disaster. She is currently co-authoring a paper about her research.

Last year, Van Sise interned at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, working in pediatrics, labor and delivery, and the neonatal intensive care unit, as part of Cornell's Urban Semester Program.

"It solidified my decision to enter the field of medicine," says Van Sise, who adds that academics have not been her sole focus. "It is important to be involved in things besides schoolwork. You have to give back to the college and work on being a good person," she says.

Van Sise currently serves as the president of Kappa Omicron Nu, the College of Human Ecology's honor society. She is a biochemistry teaching assistant and a pre-med mentor to Cornell students. Van Sise also has continued her passion for dancing, which she has been doing since she was 4 years old. Through her high school years, she was a member of the Orange County Ballet Theatre. At Cornell, she has been a member of IMPACT, a dance troupe in which students perform and choreograph a diverse range of dances.

"I have tried to make a difference within the College of Human Ecology," says Van Sise, who also is an executive board member and co-chair of Human Ecology's VOICES, an umbrella organization that promotes community within the college by organizing events for students. Van Sise also participated in the LeaderShape program, a one-week retreat for Human Ecology and Engineering students at the end of their junior year. The program focuses on leadership, allowing students to take part in activities to enhance their own skills.

"That's what I like, building relationships with people," Van Sise concludes about her experiences at Cornell.

Taking a giant step closer to fulfilling her big dreams of becoming a doctor and working in a pediatrics department, Van Sise has been admitted to the State University of New York-Stony Brook School of Medicine for the fall.

Student Theresa D'Andrea is an intern with the Cornell News Service.