Tara Stanko and
Vladimir Ratushny at their White Coat
Ceremonies, as they begin their medical
education. See where a University at Albany
degree can take you and read their stories.
Tara Stanko graduated from the
University at Albany in three years with a
3.99 grade point average. She earned a B.S.
in biology and minored in psychology. She
also earned Early Assurance acceptances at
both Albany Medical College and Upstate
Medical University following her sophomore
year. Tara elected to matriculate at Upstate
and spent her gap year at Clarkson
University working for the Bio/Chemistry
Department and learning to play racquetball.
While at the University at Albany, Tara
was a Presidential Scholar, won the 2002 CRC
Chemistry Freshman of the Year award, and
was nominated for the National Society of
Collegiate Scholars. She was a recipient of
the T.J. Watson Memorial Scholarship, a NYS
Scholarship for Academic Excellence, and the
Biology Department’s Katherine Vario Award.
During 2002-2003, Tara worked in
the laboratory of Dr. Jeffrey Travis and
researched Intracellular Localization of
Retinoic-Induced J6, on ER Resident Protein.
During her summers Tara worked as an
extern in the Pathology Lab and as a
Phlebotomist/Diener at Our Lady of Lourdes
Hospital in Binghamton, New York. She also
volunteered with the Union Volunteer
Emergency Squad during the summer.
Tara was Vice President of the Biology
Club for 2002-3, a member of the
Presidential Honor Society, the UAlbany
Equestrian Club, a private tutor, and an
active Red Cross donor while attending the
University.
