Hard work lands Jakubowski in medical school
Alumni & Friends, Summer/Fall 2005

A blue-color work ethic, encouragement from his professors and some impressive research experience paved the way for Luke Jakubowski’s acceptance into the UW-Madison School of Medicine this fall. His dream? To become a cancer doctor.

“I want to go into cancer oncology, maybe pediatrics. I like kids,” the 22 year-old said. Jakubowski graduated in May with a double major in Spanish and cell biology in addition to a double minor in chemistry and physical science. The Janesville native credits his family for his work ethic. His mother works at General Motors and his father is a real estate agent.

During his five years as an undergraduate at UWWhitewater, Jakubowski spent two summers studying the genetics of brain cancer at the world famous Mayo Clinic. He also taught English as a Second Language at a church while he was there. The summer after his freshman year he did a research internship in Germany at the Max Planck Institute. He also spent a fall semester in Spain in an intensive language program where he taught English to elementary students.

“I have a passion to work with the Hispanic community,” relates Jakubowski.

With aspirations of medical school, Jakubowski admitted he has had little time for a social life, spending a lot of late nights in the science lab. Yet one of his main outlets has been working as a leader in his church youth group in Milton.

Jakubowski appreciates his education at UWWhitewater and the opportunities afforded him due to the smaller class sizes and meaningful research. At a larger university, he believes his involvement in research might not be much more than “washing dishes.” With 10 more years of schooling ahead, Jakubowski is now setting his sights on becoming a doctor. – Jane Provorse