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Undergraduate Programs

Meet our Spring 2022 Student Marshals
Victoria Tachinski

Image of Victoria Tachinski



The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology is proud to recognize Victoria Tachinski as a Student Marshal for the 2022 Spring Commencement!  The daughter of Christine and Glen Tachinski, Victoria is a graduate of Vincent Massey Collegiate in Winnipeg, Canada.  She is a Biotechnology major, with minors in Microbiology and Entrepreneurship & Innovation. She has also earned her spot on the Dean’s List a remarkable nine times throughout her undergraduate career.

 

In addition to her academic excellence, Victoria has been a member of Penn State’s Varsity Track and Field Team.  Most recently she has had a breakthrough year in terms of her performances on the track.  These successes have led to an opportunity to continue running professionally in the future.  “I am unclear of what that future of continuing being an athlete means, but I hope to sign a contract to become a professional runner as well as continue work in the field of biotechnology part-time while I embark on that path,” says Victoria.

 

Congratulations Victoria on being named a Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Spring 2022 Student Marshal, and for serving as a wonderful example of why We Are Penn State!

 

Read more, below, about Victoria’s remarkable undergraduate career.

Being selected as a student marshal for Penn State is such a honor. Over the past 4 years representing Penn State in the classroom as well as on the track has been my passion. And I am so lucky that Penn State has given me the opportunity to live my passion every day. Being a student marshal for graduation is another opportunity for myself to continue to represent my school and community with dignity, hoping that I can inspire another to grow along with me. These past 4 years have consisted of hard work, and I am excited to celebrate all of that work with my fellow graduates.
Victoria Tachinksi
Spring 2022 Student Marshal

Commencement Faculty Escort:

  • Dr. Beatrice Sirakaya

 

What impact has working with Dr. Beatrice Sirakaya had on your undergraduate career, and your future in career specifically?

Working with Dr. Sirakaya has been a pleasure over the years at Penn State. She was a great teacher and taught me most of my core Biotechnology courses that helped enhance my passion for this major.

Dr. Sirakaya assisted me in my passion of teaching by offering myself teaching assistant roles in 3 of her classes. With these roles I gained experience in teaching a classroom, assisting by enhancing student's ideas, organizing a laboratory, and helping teach complex scientific ideas to a classroom. 

 

What is the most important lesson/memory/observation that you will take with you from your time at Penn State?

It is hard to summarize my time at Penn State with one moment. An important lesson I will leave with is the power of sharing knowledge. As a teaching assistant I learned how to communicate class materials effectively and felt fulfilled watching my student succeed. An important memory I will fondly recall at Penn State was breaking the school record in the 600m and feeling the joy from my teammates and loved ones. Track has given me the opportunity to feel empowered and accomplished by consistently working hard, which is a lesson I take into the classroom and into my career.

 

Undergraduate Honors and Awards, Extracurricular Activities, and Honorary Society Memberships:

  • Member of The Pennsylvania State University chapter of Golden Key International Honor Society for being in top 15% of her class (2019-2022).
  • Representative of the Penn State All-Academic Team, earning the highest GPA on Penn State’s Varsity Track & Field Team (2019-2022)
  • Graduating with Distinction, earning Cum Laude
  • Student Teaching Assistant for various Biotechnology, Management, Health and Human Development and Microbiology classes and labs.
  • Member of Penn State’s Varsity Track and Field Team
  • Owns the school record for the 600m race.
  • Voted Team Captain for the 2021-2022 track and field seasons.
  • Placed 11th in Division I indoor track championships in the 800m.