Gene Therapy Research
Ohio Wesleyan Student Completing Internship at Nationwide Children's Hospital
Name: Jan Kubacek '26
Hometown: Liberec, Liberec Region, Czechia
High School: Doctrina-Podjestedske Gymnazium
Majors: Biochemistry and Psychology
Minor: Neuroscience
OWU Connection Experience: "I have been helping as a student researcher in Bradbury Lab at the Center for Gene Therapy at Nationwide Children's Hospital (Columbus, Ohio) since August 2025.
"The primary research question of the lab concerns the development of treatments for rare pediatric neurodegenerative disorders using gene therapy approaches."
Why This Experience?
"I gained interest in becoming a researcher after coming to OWU as a junior transfer student and taking a Behavioral Neuroscience class. It was crucial for me to gain as much research experience as soon as possible, as I had none prior to coming to OWU, and it is necessary to be even considered for Ph.D. programs.
"This great opportunity suddenly fell in my lap, and as it has been my dream to work at Nationwide Children's ever since coming to America, I took it." (Ohio Wesleyan graduate Abigail Biddle Hetterscheidt '23 assisted Kubacek in obtaining the internship.)
Favorite Moments
"The possibility of learning something new literally every day I come into the lab. This entire field was, and still is, completely new to me. I have to keep constantly learning about what I am doing, about what the lab does. … I feel more knowledgeable each time I leave the lab."
I have learned that if I put in the time and hard work, I can become a really successful Ph.D. candidate, and that I do not need to be scared off by topics or research areas I do not understand just yet.
Lessons Learned
"I learned a lot about myself. This experience gave me a lot of confidence in potentially becoming a grad student. I have learned that if I put in the time and hard work, I can become a really successful Ph.D. candidate, and that I do not need to be scared off by topics or research areas I do not understand just yet.
"Outside of this newly learned confidence, I have also learned that one day, I myself would want to become a PI (principal investigator), and give undergraduate students opportunities for research like I was given to help motivate future scientists.
Invaluable Experiences
"These experiences are crucial for students like me. While the knowledge we are able to obtain in classes is incredible and OWU has prepared me greatly for a life after undergrad, hands-on experiences are simply invaluable.
"Not only are students able to apply their knowledge in the real-world, potentially making it easier to understand the topic, but it also gives students the opportunity to see if that is something they would like to do for the foreseeable future. That cannot be taught in classes, and students can only learn it through internships and hands-on experience."
OWU Mentors
Kubacek lists his faculty mentors as Kayce Tomcho, Ph.D., assistant professor of Chemistry, and Chelsea Vadnie, Ph.D., assistant professor of Psychology.
"Dr. Tomcho has served as my Internship faculty advisor and helped me make this internship a reality. Additionally, Dr. Vadnie has served as my mentor throughout my time at Ohio Wesleyan University, helping me find opportunities, graduate schools, and gain additional research experience."
Campus Involvements
Kubacek is the vice president of Alumni and Family Relations for Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity and works in the Admission Office. He has also participated in Independent Study, supported by a Theory-to-Practice Grant, with Dr. Vadnie, and previously participated in varsity tennis, club soccer, and Model United Nations.
Why Ohio Wesleyan?
"After finishing my Associate of Science Degree from Columbus State Community College (CSCC) in Columbus, Ohio, I was looking for an ideal next school to finish my bachelor's.
"As an international student with limited resources, I was suggested to look into OWU, as there was a new partnership program between CSCC and OWU for Honors students that would make my education manageable to pay.
"After looking more into the school, it seemed like a great fit with characteristics that I was looking for – a small university, a focus on practical experience, a small student:faculty ratio, a lively campus, etc., and so I decided to give it a shot, and I could not have made a better decision."
Plans After Graduation
"I am currently deciding and waiting for decisions between some doctorate programs. If no graduate school works out for now, I am planning on working as a laboratory technician and then trying to apply for Ph.D. programs in Neuroscience or Biomedical Sciences again in a year.
"OWU has played a major role in my future plans, as prior to OWU, I did not even think I would ever be a good enough fit for a Ph.D. program. However, OWU has taught me more independence in research thanks to my Independent study with Dr. Vadnie, as well as an improved ability in reading and assessing research papers, confidence, and great general knowledge thanks to the plethora of classes I have taken here."