Name: Mary Evenson
Job Title and Current Employer: Retired Physician Assistant
Home Town: La Crosse, WI
Current Location: Madison, WI
Short Description of your time in the Bacteriology MS Program:
I started in the Department as an undergraduate and also worked for Dr. Thomas Brock from about 1978-1981 including for a time after I graduated and was working at the Food Research Institute as a Research Assistant. I graduated with a double Major in Bacteriology and Molecular Biology. In 1984 I started my MS with Dr Robert Deibel and completed it part time while working for Dr Merlin Bergdoll at the Food Research Institute studying Staphyococcal Entertoxins.
MS Degree Received in: 1987
Describe your career path from graduate school to your current position.
After 16 years studying staphylococcal entertoxins and botulinum neurotoxins I returned to school to become a Physician Assistant in the first class of the Mayo Clinic/Gundersen/UW La Crosse program.
Describe a “day in the life” of your current job.
As a Research Assistant I was involved in planning and executing studies on staphylococcal enterotoxins (Dr Merlin Bergdoll) and botulinum neurotoxins (Dr Bibhuti DasGupta) and with one professor (Dr Chu) I also was a grant proofreader. As a Physician Assistant my job involved seeing, diagnosing, treating and educating patients in Family Medicine. After retirement I worked with Madison Dane County Public Heath for almost 3 years as a vaccinator and contact tracer.
How did your experience in the Bacteriology MS Program shape your career?
It gave me a solid scientific background and an understanding of the scientific research process in academia.
What challenges did you face in your graduate degree, or in launching your career?
The main challenge was that I was working full time as a research assistant and working on my degree at the same time.
What do you like best and what do you find challenging about your current job?
As in most endeavors it is the people you work with who make the biggest difference. The challenges are keeping up with the rapidly changing world of science and medicine, educating patients particularly those who in the current climate have become science skeptical and balancing work and home life so that I can try to bring my best to every patient encounter.
What is your favorite story/memory from your time in the Bacteriology MS Program?
The people! From Judy Peterson, the administrator who found me my first job in the department when I was notified last minute by another department that the job that I had been told was mine for the summer needed to be given to an individual in their department (I lost both parents by the age of 19 so was self supporting). I walked into her office feeling very vulnerable and left feeling confident that she would find a summer job for me. I am forever grateful for her help. Little did I know that I would find my ‘home’ on the UW campus in this department.
What is the most important lesson you have learned throughout your career?
That learning is a lifetime process and that a career these days can involve more than one field.
What is your best piece of advice for current graduate students preparing for their careers?
Do work that you find interesting and valuable and it won’t seem so much like work.
What person, course, or experience most influenced you?
Ken Todar was a dynamic teacher who taught an introductory Bacteriology course which got me interested in and excited about the field. I also had the great fortune to have labs with staff members Jane Phillips and John Lindquist who were dedicated and effective teachers.
What are some skills that have served you well through your career?
Focusing on attention to detail, being observant, trying to be a good listener and working hard.
What is one of your favorite memories, classes, professors, or activities while in the Bacteriology MS Program?
Dr. Deibel was incredibly supportive, kind and funny as my MS advisor. Making sauerkraut in lab as I love to cook.
What is one of your proudest professional or personal accomplishments?
Not giving up on my dreams.
What extracurriculars were you involved in during your time?
I played a lot of volleyball including captaining a women’s team in the Madison Intramural Sports Program that went on to win their division (Alabama) championship. The only division higher in the multiple division league was Alaska.
What are your interests outside of work?
Exercising, reading, cooking, gardening and traveling with my husband, Jeff Abresch, who I met when we both worked at the Food Research Institute on campus.