Fitzgerald relishes mentoring role as Summer Science Institute camp counselor

Summer camps at Auburn University can be fun escapes for students of all ages, but they also have the potential to become transformative experiences. Just ask Megan Fitzgerald.

The Georgia native visited the Plains in 2018 as an ambitious high school junior interested in STEM — science, technology, engineering and mathematics — and the proverbial “light bulb” went off. As a Forsyth Central STEM Academy student chosen to participate in the Summer Science Institute (SSI) administered by the Outreach office in the College of Sciences and Mathematics (COSAM), Fitzgerald participated in an array of research modules and workshops with 15 other accomplished students. She not only enjoyed her experience in the camp, but fell in love with Auburn in the process.

Megan Fitzgerald is working toward her doctorate in biology in Alexey Petrov's laboratory.

As a result, she only applied to one university.

“I don’t think you’re supposed to do that, but I did,” said Fitzgerald, who also attended an Auburn volleyball camp that summer. “After being here, I realized the campus was beautiful, and the faculty we interacted with were all very encouraging. I was like, ‘I’m going to Auburn, and that’s what is going to happen.’”

The camp opened her eyes to science of varying types and magnified her desire to pursue a degree in a science-related field. She majored in biochemistry, graduated in 2024 as an Honors Research Scholar and decided to pursue a doctorate in biology.

“In high school, I was really interested in STEM, but at this camp, I learned that I might like biochemistry in particular,” Fitzgerald said. “The camp was the whole reason I came to Auburn. It introduced me to my major, which led me to my research, and that research led me to graduate school. It changed my life.”

Fitzgerald now works in Alexey Petrov’s laboratory as she continues her academic career, and she is already making an impact.

“Megan is an exceptional student,” Petrov said. “She is intelligent, kind and a part of a tightly knit group of students. Her work started a new research direction in my lab, and I am very excited about new insights that her research will uncover.”

Megan Fitzgerald, left, was able to mentor high school students at this year's Summer Science Institute and answer their questions about college studies and STEM-related research.

The 2025 Summer Science Institute campers and counselors posed for a group photo in front of Samford Hall.

Students who attend the Summer Science Institute have the chance to go on a "Herp Hunt" for amphibians and reptiles and also see chemical reactions that create fire, among other immersive activities.

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Coming full circle

As an accomplished college student, Fitzgerald was given the opportunity to serve as a counselor at SSI. She jumped at the chance to help others experience the wonders of the camp.

“It was fantastic, and I had the best time,” she said. “All of those kids are super bright. I had high expectations because I know how rigorous the application process is, but I was so impressed with them. They already had such a depth of knowledge and a love for science, so it was excellent.”

Working with the elite high school students was a joy for Fitzgerald, who took naturally to the mentoring role.

“They were all very curious about the path of going to college and going to some sort of professional school or graduate school after college,” she said. “I got questions from almost every camper, and I could give them some advice as someone who has been exactly where they are.”

Jessica Gilpin, assistant director of COSAM Outreach and SSI director, was thrilled to have a student with Fitzgerald’s passion and perspective to be part of this year’s camp.

“We are incredibly proud of Megan,” Gilpin said. “I had the pleasure of being Megan’s counselor in 2018 when I was a graduate student and can attest to the transformative power of this program. Megan’s story is a testament to how SSI can inspire and guide students toward academic excellence and STEM careers.”

Megan Fitzgerald earned an undergraduate degree in biochemistry in 2024.

At Auburn and beyond

Fitzgerald is working on various biophysics research projects, and she has enjoyed her academic journey.

“I study how proteins are made in eukaryotes, which have a membrane-bound nucleus — like fungus, animals and people,” she said. “I have a couple of projects I’m working on right now that can lead to my thesis, but I’m not completely sure what it will be.”

As for the future, she hopes to be able to make an impact as a researcher and scholar via the applied aspect of science.

“At this point, I’m open to all possibilities,” she said. “I taught a bit for a couple of semesters, and I do like it, so maybe I could do that. I’m thinking more about going into research to study disease pathology or different drug mechanisms.”

She plans to stay involved with SSI as long as she is at Auburn, and she has encouraging advice for any high school student who may be interested in pursuing a STEM-related major on the Plains.

“Take all the opportunities you can,” Fitzgerald said. “Definitely apply for the camp if you’re interested, and if there’s a research or internship opportunity, I would take it. Just learn as much as you can now and continue learning throughout your time as an undergraduate, because it has paid off for me.”