sraiders

I'm interested in cell biology, more specifically in the context of development and aging. To this end I would really like to study either worms or flies, with some interest in zebra fish as well as a passing fancy with tardigrades. I'd like to know if the schools I'm looking at are reaching or seem reasonable. Also, if anyone knows some schools/programs/labs I should check out, that would be really helpful! Thanks for any help!! Undergrad Institution: ~80 ranked Liberal Arts University Major(s): Molecular and Cellular Biology Minor(s): Mathematics GPA in Major: 3.56 Overall GPA: 3.56 Position in Class: I have no idea Type of Student: Domestic Male GRE Scores (revised/old version): Q: 163 V: 159 W: 4.5 B: Research Experience: Summer before my freshman year of college I worked in a lab at a large medical institute in a cancer biology lab. This was my first exposure to lab work, and it solidified my desire to seek a career that involves research. However I'm not sure how much a prospective graduate school cares about this experience. Two years of cancer research in flies at my undergraduate institute including summers. No publications but did present a poster at a University session as well as an undergrad regional conference. Also presented at annual symposium. Worked as a technician for my last year for my university in conjunction with the US Geological Survey using qPCR to compare gene expression of wild fish exposed to various levels of pollution. No publication as of now, though the project is still being worked on. Currently work as a research tech (~1 year) at a cancer research institution in a developmental biology lab that studies worms. Will be second author in a paper that will publish later this month. Have another project that my PI has asked me to be first author on, although it is unclear if that will come to fruition before applying to grad school. Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Dean's List Biology Department Honors Member of Phi Sigma Biological Honors Society Pertinent Activities or Jobs: Worked in a greenhouse mostly maintaining plants for a lab that studied arabidopsis and tomatoes. Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help: Special Bonus Points: My current PI is pretty well known in his field and has direct connections to a nobel prize winner. Applying to Where: WUSTL- DBBS University of Wisconsin- MCDB University of North Carolina Chapel Hill- MCDB NYU- MCDB Princeton- MCDB Stanford-MCDB University of Colorado Boulder- MCDB