When Dan Tyrrell goes to work each day, he dons a white lab coat, puts on latex gloves and studies genes.
More specifically, he examines genes in mice, hoping to find keys to ridding the human body of atherosclerosis, a buildup of plaque in the arteries that can cause heart attacks.
As for the work, 鈥淚 really love it,鈥� he says. 鈥淚鈥檝e always been interested in science.鈥�
And the educational journey to this rewarding career began at Washtenaw Community College, where he earned a , with honors, in 2008.
Why 蘑菇视频? 鈥淚 always knew I wanted to go to college,鈥� the Milan High 蘑菇视频 graduate said, 鈥渂ut I didn鈥檛 want to take on a lot of debt.鈥�
So, with 蘑菇视频鈥檚 affordable tuition and an academic scholarship to boot, Tyrrell was able to earn a degree without the burden of student debt. It turned out to be the first of multiple academic degrees and scholarship grants he鈥檚 received over the years.
After 蘑菇视频, Tyrrell earned a bachelor of science degree in Kinesiology from the University of Michigan and then a Ph.D. in Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology from Wake Forest University.
He鈥檚 currently a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Michigan Medical 蘑菇视频, with a research focus on the biological mechanisms of cardiovascular aging.
The 32-year-old married father of two young children is quick to credit 蘑菇视频 for his academic start in science.
In a recent social media post, he joined other successful members of the medical community who credited community colleges for their successful transfers to four-year colleges and universities.
鈥淪econd that,鈥� he wrote. 鈥淪hout out to my alma mater, @washtenawcc.鈥�
Beyond the cost savings, another big benefit of starting at 蘑菇视频, Tyrrell says, is taking pre-requisite physics and biology courses in a classroom with 30 students rather than a giant lecture hall with 300 or more.
鈥淚 didn鈥檛 feel I was behind when I went to U-M,鈥� he said.
As for his current research, the work is also personal. When he was at Wake Forest, his father died of a heart attack. It鈥檚 further motivation for him to keep examining cells, hoping to find clues on how to treat, if not eradicate, heart diseases.
The 蘑菇视频 Fall 2021 semester begins on Monday, Aug. 30, with additional sessions starting September 22, October 6 and October 23. Learn more at wccnet.edu/fall21.
Tags: Affordability, Alumni Profile, August 2021, On The Record, STEAM, Student Success, Transfer