Edward Kobraei

Biology Senior

Not many would have passed on a full scholarship to their hometown university, but that’s exactly what Edward Kobraei did.

A graduate of Calloway County High School in western Kentucky, Kobraei could have stayed at home while attending Murray State University. But “Eddie” decided to follow in the footsteps of his older brother and sister and enroll at the University of Kentucky. And it was his “intrinsic curiosity about biological and chemical phenomena” that led him to UK’s College of Arts and Sciences.

Once there, Kobraei knew he had made the right decision.

“My experience in the College of Arts and Sciences at UK has been extremely beneficial, and this is primarily the result of the quality of education I have received here,” the biology senior said. “The College has provided ample resources and academic programs, outstanding advisers, and an academically rigorous environment that has fostered my intellectual development. Perhaps most importantly, I have been fortunate to have many exceptional professors who have inspired and challenged me.”

In addition, Kobraei stated that one of the many benefits A&S affords its students is the requirements of coursework outside the student’s major concentration. He said that extra work allows students the opportunity to gain extra exposure to a diverse group of subjects not necessarily related to the student’s major.

Kobraei also credits one of his A&S professors for helping him pursue areas he had not originally considered before, namely independent scientific research.

“As I began conducting research I discovered how much I enjoyed it,” Kobraei said. “Since then, I have engaged in other independent research projects. For instance, I am currently conducting an independent research project studying neural regeneration in the Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology. This experience has allowed me to present my research at several scientific conferences around the United States and has piqued my interest in scientific research and its clinical implications.”

However, Kobraei isn’t just someone looking out for his own interests. The College of Arts and Sciences has helped him cultivate several of his personal values and skills. He has been a student instructor for biology and chemistry workshop courses in the BioExcel and ChemExcel programs in A&S. Kobraei also serves as a student ambassador for the College, a role he took on when he was a junior, which has given him the opportunity to get involved in several leadership and volunteer activities on the UK campus and in the Lexington community.

“Reflecting now upon my undergraduate education, I see that my involvement in the College of Arts and Sciences has had a profound influence on my life and education,” Kobraei said. “With respect to academic matters, I feel like the education I have received in A&S has prepared me thoroughly for my graduate study in medicine at virtually any institution. However, the value of my education extends outside the realm of academia. The College of Arts and Sciences provides a remarkably comprehensive educational experience both inside and outside the classroom.”