Breona Jones-Rice ’19 started observing open heart and thoracic surgeries when she was still a high school student in Washington, D.C. Her passionate interest in biotechnology led her to Syracuse University, the school of her dreams, where she’s proud to be the first in her family to attend college.
As a biotechnology major, Breona is eager to conduct hands-on research and eventually pursue a pharmacology degree, so she can one day help develop new and lifesaving drugs.
Where I’m from…
I was born and raised in the nation’s capital—Riggs Park of Washington, D.C., to be exact. It’s a middle-class neighborhood that’s been home to my family for a very long time. The neighborhood is very tight-knit. Everyone is expected to be involved in some type of activity at the local recreation center.
What I do besides study…
I like to walk around campus or sit on the stairs of Carnegie while reading or listening to music. I also enjoy playing softball and going out to the batting cages to practice.
What I love most about Syracuse…
I love how much school pride there is and how much influence the students have on campus. People come from all over the world to attend Syracuse, which makes the campus very diverse. But the school pride brings everyone together. Everyone bleeds orange and, no matter what you’re going through, there’s always someone nearby to offer a helping hand.
What I plan to do with my Syracuse degree…
After receiving my bachelor’s degree in biotechnology, I plan to pursue my PharmD (Doctor of Pharmacy) degree and work with a pharmaceutical firm, researching and developing drugs.