March 9, 2021
Taylor Painter is a junior from West Fargo, North Dakota. She is pursuing majors in Biology and Allied Health. Taylor is involved Science Club, Biology Research, Band, and the Student Education Association. When asked why she chose Mayville State, Taylor said, "I toured campus and it instantly felt like a place that I could call home." Taylor loves that nobody is just a number on the Mayville State campus and that there is always someone looking out for you. She is an undergraduate research assistant in the lab of Dr. Joseph Mehus. Working together with other student research assistants, Taylor began studying mosquito population dynamics and feeding patterns last summer. Taylor says she has been able to gain so many new skills through this experience. Working for Dr. Mehus has opened the door to other research opportunities for the future as well. It’s not surprising that Dr. Mehus is one of Taylor’s Mayville State mentors. He has opened her eyes to all the possibilities present in the scientific field. She says, “I have learned so much and been given so many amazing opportunities while working with him. He acts as a voice of reason for me when things get stressful.” Taylor also has the utmost respect and admiration for Kristi Lentz, Mayville State’s former Director of Counseling and Freshmen Retention Services, who retired last summer. “She was a huge guiding light in my life,” said Taylor.