Patrick Succo

Succo will graduate this December 2013 from Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado where he is double-majoring in biochemistry and cellular/molecular biology.

When not in class, he is also a member of the American Indian Science and Engineering Society and plays on the rugby team. Here at Dartmouth he has been conducting biochemistry research in Dean Jon Kull’s lab under the mentorship of graduate student Justin Cruite and postdoc Charles Midgett. Specifically, Succo is “trying to purify and crystallize a mutant HapR protein made from Vibrio cholerae.” This protein regulates virulence gene expression, and understanding it at the molecular level will hopefully improve therapeutic strategies to potentially cure bacterial diseases.

After Dartmouth, Succo will apply to veterinary schools, but is also interested in dual DVM/PhD programs as well. He is enjoying the exploration of these different academic paths while here at Dartmouth. Ultimately, he would like to return to the Navajo Reservation and use his education to inspire economic and governmental change there.

When asked what he liked most about being in the Upper Valley this summer, he noted that despite the intense humidity (which there is much less of in Arizona), he has had a good time eating New England food and participating in activities such as hiking on the AT, canoeing, bowling, and going to the drive-in movie theater in Fairlee, Vermont.