Lauren Cianciolo ’18 needed a change after her freshman year. She wanted to be closer to home, at a place where she could reach her full potential in the lab and on the softball field. John Carroll’s proximity to both her hometown of Twinsburg, Ohio, and world-renowned medical institutions like Cleveland Clinic, made JCU an easy personal and professional choice. What kept Lauren here, however, were the people. “The faculty and staff go above and beyond for us,” she says. “Rather than feeling like just a number at a large institution, I felt like I truly mattered at John Carroll, and that the small class sizes allowed for more meaningful interaction with my professors.” The JCU commitment led to personal and professional growth helped Lauren find the right place to begin her career–Cleveland Clinic’s Cole Eye Institute. “It is a privilege to work for a hospital that has a ‘patient-first’ mentality,” she says. As part of the Ophthalmic Research Department at Cole Eye Institute, Lauren studies the effects of genetic mutation on retinal consistency and eye motion. She works closely with zebra fish, analyzing microRNA. Beyond the lab, Lauren found herself empowered to take leadership roles. She developed new relationships as part of the softball team, where she started 95 games in three years for the Blue Streaks. She spent her free time serving others as a tutor and as an advocate for healthy living. Now, as she continues to prepare for the MCAT, apply for medical schools, and travel, she feels that these experiences have prepared for the future. “John Carroll is a community of people who are willing to help students reach their full potential,” Lauren says. “Thanks to my time at JCU, I’m looking forward to all that medical school has to offer.”