Bella Root

What’s your favorite class? Why?

My favorite class has been Fundamentals of Movement with Eric Nordstrom. The course focused on exploring how human bodies move and connecting to your own body’s sensations and desires to move. It was much like an interactive anatomy class. I was able to start recognizing feelings in my own body and felt more grounded within myself. Fundamentals of Movement helped me identify and work with areas of tension and pain within my body, dramatically changing how I approach my chronic pain issues.

What made you want to come to Lewis & Clark?

Lewis & Clark was the only college I applied to that had the specific major I really wanted to pursue, biochemistry and molecular biology. Although I knew I wanted to focus heavily on STEM, I was also drawn in by L&C’s well-rounded education as a liberal arts institution.

What do you like or find most interesting about your major?

I find the hands-on labs most interesting. Studying such small things like chemicals can make it difficult to understand their significance since you never actually see them. Logically I understand that everything is made up of chemical reactions, but that doesn’t make it any easier to visualize or fully see the impacts of it. The labs give me an opportunity to really wrap my head around what I’m studying. Watching chemical reactions happen in front of you really solidifies the real-life applications of what we’re learning in class.

Tell us about your support systems and social outlets on campus: people, activities, clubs, res halls, etc.

I have found support in many different areas on campus. I look to my friends for encouragement and reliable shoulders to cry on. I rely on my Campus Living staff team to help me navigate the tricky balancing act of being a resident advisor and a student. Through my club involvements, I am able to connect with a wider community with shared interests and passions.

If you have studied or will study overseas while at Lewis & Clark, how did you choose your program? What did your overseas study add to your L&C experience?

I am going to study abroad in fall 2023 through the Berlin program. I wanted to experience living in another country but was worried that a semester abroad would cause me to fall behind in my studies due to being a science major. This specific program offers Structural Biochemistry as one of the courses, allowing me to stay on track with my major-required courses.

What advice do you have for incoming students?

My advice for an incoming student would be to not shy away from meeting new people. This campus is full of wonderful students with fascinating stories and perspectives.

What’s one of your best Lewis & Clark memories so far?

My best memory of Lewis & Clark has to be from the spring semester of my first year. Sometime in March, we had the first really sunny day since the beginning of winter. I remember walking back and forth to classes seeing droves of people sprawling out in the gardens, in front of the library, and really anywhere with a patch of grass. It was so endearing to see the whole campus have the same thought: “What a beautiful day.”

How would you describe sustainability at Lewis & Clark? What’s your involvement with any sustainability initiatives on campus?

Lewis & Clark prioritizes sustainability in most aspects of the institution. I am the treasurer of Students Engaged in Eco-Defense (SEED), the sustainability club on campus. During my time at the club, we partnered with Generation Conscious to install a laundry detergent sheet machine. This machine provides plastic-free detergent sheets to all students for free in an effort to reduce plastic waste on campus. I have been involved in beekeeping through the club, which maintains and cares for our own set of four beehives. I am also currently helping to create a nature preserve sign for the Bee Garden we’ve built on the Graduate Campus.

What should incoming students know about sustainability at L&C?

Incoming students should know that although L&C strives to have sustainable practices, the student body has been the driving force behind many of their sustainability initiatives. You can always get involved with student-run organizations to make the changes you want to see happen on this campus.

What do you love about being a resident advisor (RA)?

My job as a resident advisor has given me the wonderful opportunity to meet a wide variety of people. I love being able to tangibly impact my community by being a source of support to my residents. I have also formed extremely strong bonds with my coworkers and am grateful for all of the support they provide me.

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology