About Life Science

Meet a Life Sci Alum

Zach Nemechek, DDS

Dr. Nemo is a K-State Life Science and K-State Football alum from 2014. Upon graduation from K-State, he attended dental school at the University of Missouri Kansas City. He now works at Dental Associates of Manhattan. He enjoys providing full, comprehensive dental services from extractions, root canals, Invisalign, implant restorations and cosmetic dentistry. He has extended training in the area of sedation and wisdom teeth removal.

Tips for incoming and current students:

• Take unique classes - he hears those who shadow him all the time talking about a course in Jewelry Making to work on dexterity, which is critical given the tiny spaces dentists work in on a daily basis.
• Don't study late or pull all-nighters. Utilize time as an undergrad to hone study skills and dedication so that the transition to graduate level work is smoother.
• Pay attention in class so not spending additional time outside of class or having to learn on own.
• Try to find healthy mindsets. Don't overly sweat about exam scores, especially once in graduate school. Dental school breaks you down to be build you up in the way they want (i.e. you did this procedure wrong, do it again - and again - and again) - he had already been mentally challenged that way with football so was conditioned to try again, take constructive criticism, handle the rigor (33 tests/practicals in 4 days), but saw classmates having to learn that resiliency.
• You get out of it what you put into it - if you are pre-health, then DAY 1 you need good grades and to be going to class – can't slack off or skip then try to recover after midterms. Be dialed in and disciplined with your time.

What Dr. Nemo enjoyed about Life Science and K-State

In talking with Dr. Nemo, he repeatedly came back to the idea of people. Even at a large school, because he was willing to go to office hours and meet with instructors, it never felt like he was at a large school or was just a number. The people from his time at K-State are what he remembers best and most fondly. Everyone wanted to help him succeed because they saw he was putting in the work.

What experience helped prepare him for his future

• Shadowing - especially since he knew dentistry was his path early on
• Making time to connect with others, especially instructors knowing he would need letters of reference. He took the time to learn how to talk to others and then was able to lean on that skill in communication and connection, which helped during his interviews for dental school and now helps him connect with patients.
• Human body - best and hardest course, but taught him so much and referred to it as the greatest thing offered at K-State.
• Now he helps future dentists by allowing students to shadow and learn from him just as he was able to do from others - thanks Dr. Nemo!

What he gained from being an interdisciplinary major

• Flexibility - especially important for him as someone balancing academics, being a D1 athlete, shadowing, and gaining service experiences to prepare him for graduate school acceptance.
• Appreciated that the flexibility allowed him not only to take the courses needed for his ultimate profession, but take courses of interest, and find balance in his schedule enabling his GPA to maintain at and above where he wanted it.
• Caring advising. It was his advisor who helped him learn about Life Science as a major (as he entered KSU as biology) and that it would fit his goals and unique time constraints well.

Dr. Nemo made his mark as a Life Science student, and now continues to make great marks for the community as one of our local dentists. Proud to have him as an alum!

Meet a Life Sci Student

Jordan Kreps

Senior at K-State double majoring in Life Science and Spanish with a minor in Biology. She is also a pre-med student intending on medical school after graduation.

Q: Tell us about a highlight from your K-State undergraduate career?

A: One highlight from my undergraduate time at Kansas State has been taking Human Body 1 and 2. The opportunity to learn from cadavers was a unique experience that allowed me to learn and grow tremendously. This semester I am taking Huma Body 3/Cadaver Lab and I am excited for how much I will continue to learn through the in-depth hands-on aspect of this course.

Q: What are your plans for after graduation? How do you feel your major/time at KSU has prepared you for that path?

A: I plan on applying to Medical School next summer, and then hopefully attending Medical School the following summer upon graduating from Kansas State University. I feel that the faculty and advisors that I have had the pleasure of working with throughout my time at K-State have equipped me well for my future endeavors. My advisors have been so supportive of me and my dreams and aspirations for my time at K-State and beyond.

Q: What advice would you impart upon an incoming student at K-State? Why you would suggest a student pursue your major/an interdisciplinary major?

A: I would advise an incoming freshman/prospective student to seek opportunities outside of their comfort zone. I would tell them that they’d be surprised at how much more they are capable of than they realize and the growth they will experience if they pursue it is unimaginable. Apply for the internship you feel underqualified for, take the class that seems intriguing yet difficult, and show up to the optional things. Building faculty relationships is a great way to find academic support, plus they are all super kind.

Q: What have you gained from your major in Life Science (and other programs of study) and why you chose to major in it.

A: I decided to major in Life Science because of the wide realm of science classes that are available within the major. Life Sciences aligns nearly perfectly with the classes I need as pre-requisites for Medical School, while still allowing me the freedom to choose areas I want to focus on. I added a Spanish major after my first Spanish class at K-State. Every class I have taken has been incredibly fun, while also fostering learning. I feel comfortable trying, even if I fail, because I know my professors will help me learn. My Life Science and Spanish majors have provided me with many unique opportunities and friendships over the course of my time at K-State.