Jacob Smertneck

Hometown: Wheeling Island, WV 

Hobbies: Camping, reading, writing, cooking, playing piano/guitar.

Scholarships and/or academic awards: STEM, and distinction.

Extracurriculars: I work as an undergraduate research assistant in two labs, including one at the Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute and Archeology laboratory.

Interesting Fact: I’m working on interdisciplinary research that bridges biology and anthropology, focusing on how human culture evolves similarly to natural ecosystems.

Favorites: Fall, Halloween, Emerald Green, Owl, any place by the sea, or camping spot by a river.

Making friends at WVU: I’ve made close connections through research experiences and my department, particularly in Anthropology, where conversations often continue beyond class.

Interests outside of major: Philosophy, music, ethics, sustainability, and social justice.

Q&A with Jacob

• What is your favorite place on campus?
  • The libraries, because they're great places for reflection and research. I particularly like the reading rooms because of their quiet atmosphere. 
• What is your most memorable moment?
  • Being accepted into the Bridi Labs, as it was the first time I felt that I finally got to experience a research environment.
• What is your favorite class and why?
  • Human Osteology, I’ve found I have a knack for identification and anatomy through this class and helped me understand my trajectory better.
• What experience or class has taught you the most so far?
  • Working in labs taught me more about research, critical thinking, and interdisciplinary communication than any single class.
• Why did you choose WVU?
  • I chose WVU because I wanted to be close to home and liked the variety of majors available.
• What advice would you give your freshman self?
  • Embrace interdisciplinary interests without hesitation, trust your curiosity, and definitely explore RAP regardless of initial interests in research.
• Why did you choose to come to WVU?
  • I have always wanted to attend college, so it was inevitable.
• What are your favorite things about being in this major?
  • There are a lot of resources available to biology students, and the level of classes is plenty. I feel as though the faculty across the campus as a whole is very attentive to the needs of the students.
• What is the most interesting thing about your major?
  • Exploring how human cultures evolve similarly to biological systems—recognizing culture as both natural and dynamic. Learning about the complexity of ecosystems and cellular biology.
• Why did you want to pursue this major?
  • I have always had a deep interest in biology, likely due to David Attenborough, Suzanne Simard, and Jane Goodall.
• How have your professors and/or staff helped you be successful?
  • I have always felt that if I had a problem, I would be given the tools to solve it, this is something I have not previously experienced in life.
• What skills and/or knowledge have you gained that you feel will help you be successful in your future career?
  • Practical laboratory skills, disciplined academic rigor, and grounding in real-world applications balancing my idealistic nature.
• What are your career goals?
  • Perform research on human evolution with an emphasis on bioethics and indigenous sovereignty. I hope to promote relational ethics across epistemological systems.
• What has been your favorite class so far and why?
  • I think Bio 116 Lab, it was very interesting and useful, and the TA was really great.
• What is the most interesting/mind blowing thing you have learned so far related to your major?
  • Realizing that cultural evolution can be modeled similarly to ecosystems in nature—understanding humanity not as separate from biology, but deeply interwoven with it. Learning about theories in neuroscience that are so complex that I need to learn entire structures just to scratch the surface.
• Share something you have learned during your time at WVU.
  • I've learned the critical value of approaching problems through interdisciplinary lenses, recognizing that meaningful solutions rarely emerge from single-discipline perspectives.
• What was your biggest takeaway?
  • Practical research experience is crucial—it has taught me that real-world applications of theory often require flexibility and adaptability.
• What was the most memorable part?
  • Attending meetings and conferences has been very fun and I have gained a lot of value from learning perspectives that I would never have otherwise.
• What helped you learn?
  • Space to grow and develop without pressure, especially in my labs has been incredible. Conversations with other students have helped me see that there’s a lot of potential good in academia.
• Why did you want to pursue this experience?
  • I am a very curious person, and I wanted to see if I would be suitable for neuroscience or high theory-based biology.
• How did/will this help you reach your goals?
  • Real world research experiences, lab work, understanding of academia from the bureaucratic perspective, and clarification on my strengths and weaknesses. Not only this, but being accepted on in paid positions post RAP has really boosted my confidence.
• How did you find this opportunity?
  • I always try and find out about opportunities by asking professors, I think I found RAP by just poking around the website.
• Who helped you succeed?
  • All my professors have been better than I had ever expected, but in particular Dr. Michelle and Morgan Bridi, as well as Dr. Olivia Jones have been incredibly patient, kind, and attentive mentors.
• How did your academic work at WVU help set you up to succeed in your internship/job?
  • The rigorous coursework at WVU equipped me with theoretical foundations, while interdisciplinary discussions in class helped me approach complex research problems effectively.