Kristin Ruddle

Kristin Ruddle, from Brandywine, will graduate with degrees in biology and psychology. She serves as an ambassador for the WVU Tobacco- and Smoke-Free Campus, mentor for first-generation students and a member of the National Society Collegiate Scholars.

She serves as an emergency medical technician for Jan-Care Ambulance Service, a member of and competitor with the Blue Ridge Horse Force and a summer counselor at Sunny Stables Horse Camp. Ruddle also devotes her time to horse rescue efforts.

Her most notable academic experiences at WVU include participation in the Research Apprenticeship Program, Pre-Med Track Program and the Rural Undergraduate Shadowing in Healthcare, each providing her with opportunities to shadow physicians, conduct research and network.

Ruddle joined the Division of Surgical Oncology last year to research how preventing blood clots in pancreatic and acute pancreatitis patients can lead to better prognoses and presented her findings at the 2019 Undergraduate Research Spring Symposium. 

She has also volunteered her time to shadow physicians in the oncology operating room and clinical setting as well as pediatric specialists, and she has also served as a volunteer with Ruby Memorial Emergency Department and WVU Medicine Children’s.

Last semester, she served as a preschool classroom aide at North Elementary School for her psychology capstone course, and for her biology capstone, she is currently studying the effects of predicted climate change patterns on  Brassica rapa, which includes plants like common field mustard, turnips and cabbages.

A transfer student from WVU Potomac State College, she earned her associate degree in biology and graduated with Presidential Honors. She is a former trumpet player with the Potomac State College Band and member of the Life Sciences Club.

She will attend WVU School of Medicine in the fall.