For Skylar Hurst, science isn’t just a subject she learned about in school. It’s a calling she discovered through community and mentorship.
A senior at New Century Technology High School in Huntsville, AL, Skylar’s journey to STEM started early but was fueled by her experiences with the Boys and Girls Club of North Alabama and HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology.
Skylar was a standout student at the Boys and Girls Club, where she recently won the 2025 Student of the Year Award. She also completed an internship with HudsonAlpha’s Educational Outreach team, where she discovered what she wanted her future in science to look like.
Throughout these experiences, Skylar was inspired by her teachers and mentors, who recognized her potential early on. She found academic success and the confidence to pursue her dream of helping others through science.
Later this year, Skylar will take another step in her STEM journey by shadowing Meagan Cochran, MS, CGC, Director of Genetic Counseling at HudsonAlpha’s Smith Family Clinic for Genomic Medicine. We sat down with Skylar to reflect on how it all started and where she’s headed next.
Q&A with Skylar Hurst
HudsonAlpha: Tell us a little about yourself and what sparked your interest in science.
Skylar Hurst: My interest in science started back in second grade when I was introduced to coding and 3D printing. I thought I’d become a software engineer, but once I got to New Century, I was introduced to genetics, and that changed everything. Topics like Punnett squares, bioinformatics, and epigenetics really stood out to me. That’s when I knew I wanted to be a genetic counselor.
HA: Was there someone who inspired your career path?
SH: Mrs. Angela O’Neil introduced me to STEM through the Boys and Girls Club. Ms. Erika Holt, my first biomedical teacher at New Century, sparked my interest in genetics and inspired me with her resilience while she battled cancer. When she passed, I became fascinated by uncovering the causes behind cancer and other genetic links to disease. Mrs. Sarah Mason has been my mentor and guide every step of the way, even encouraging me to apply for the HudsonAlpha internship.
HA: What made you want to intern at HudsonAlpha?
SH: Before applying, I attended HudsonAlpha’s DNA in Biotech Career Day and toured the campus several times. I even had the chance to hear Dr. Neil Lamb speak. These experiences helped me understand HudsonAlpha’s mission and the significant work it contributes to the scientific community.
HA: What kind of work did you do during your internship?
SH: I interned with Yokshitha Bathula, Workforce Development Specialist, from August 2024 to April 2025. We did hands-on lab work, like PCR, gel electrophoresis, DNA extractions, and even nanopore sequencing. I also worked on a research project about antibiotic resistance, collecting and testing soil samples, and am currently helping write a paper based on our findings.
HA: What stood out to you most about your time at HudsonAlpha?
SH: I loved learning something new every single day. Some days, we were in the lab working on complex procedures and handling various samples. On other days, we spent an hour solving mathematical equations. The entire experience opened up a new side of my brain, helping me apply science in real-world situations. HudsonAlpha taught me to not just learn science but to live it.
HA: You were named Boys and Girls Club Youth of the Year. Congratulations! What does that award mean to you?
SH: It’s more than a title. It’s my responsibility to represent my fellow youth and community. It means standing for the next generation, for my siblings, and for my younger self. I want to show others what’s possible.
HA: Why are you interested in a career in genetic counseling?
SH: It blends everything I love: genetics and community. At HudsonAlpha, I experienced working in a lab. At the Boys and Girls Club, I experienced working with people. I never imagined I’d find a career that allowed me to do both, but genetic counseling proved me wrong.
HA: You’ll be shadowing Meagan Cochran at the Smith Family Clinic. What do you hope to gain from the experience?
SH: Genetic counseling involves sharing complex scientific information, and I want to be able to explain it clearly and empathetically. I’m excited for the challenge. I also want to observe how lab skills are applied in a clinical setting. This will be my first time professionally combining both of my worlds, and I’m eager to grow even more.
HA: How do you hope to make a difference in the world as a genetic counselor?
SH: As a genetic counselor, I want to raise awareness of genetic disorders both in clinics and in the community, especially in lower-income neighborhoods where people may not know about genetic conditions or epigenetics. I hope to help people become more informed and confident, breaking through generational limitations and expectations.
HA: How have programs like HudsonAlpha and the Boys and Girls Club shaped your journey?
SH: They’ve changed the way I think. As a student, these programs have helped my critical thinking skills thrive. The hands-on and mental challenges they provide prepare you for the real world. Now, I can use those same methods to help others.
By: Lillie Mermoud
