Graduate student credits campus community for helping her find her course

Xia Parkes did not arrive at George Mason University certain she wanted to be a scientist. Originally, she envisioned a future in dermatology after shadowing a physician in her hometown of Chesapeake, Virginia. But once she began college-level coursework, lab experiences opened new interests for her.

When Parkes graduated from George Mason in May, she had earned two degrees in just four years-a BS in Biology and an MS in Systems Biology through George Mason's Bachelor's to Accelerated Master's Program. For Parkes, success was not just about discipline; she also credits the support she received throughout her years as a Patriot.

One of her most meaningful moments came during the Commencement ceremony after Parkes earned her bachelor's degree. Although her family was unable to attend, she decided to participate after encouragement from friends. When she looked into the stands and saw her friends there, cheering her on, the significance of her support system became clear. "That was when I realized how much showing up matters," she said.

That sense of community is what she said she will miss most after graduation. Through her involvement on campus, she built a strong network of mentors and peers who helped her see possibilities beyond what she thought she was capable of.

One of the more unexpected influences came through the Honors College. As a University Scholar, she entered George Mason as part of a close-knit cohort that provided an early sense of belonging. Later, she joined the Honors College communications team as a lead intern.

"I never saw myself as a writer or communicator," Parkes said. "But learning how to tell stories, interview people, and explain complex ideas has been one of the most valuable skills I've gained."

That perspective now shapes how she approaches science.

"Communication is everything," she said. "If you can't explain what you're doing, you can't bridge the gap between science and the public."

In her classes, she explored genetics, biochemistry, and skincare research, including work related to hyperpigmentation, before landing on biochemistry through an internship at the University of Mississippi.

Parkes worked in Associate Professor Lee Solomon's lab, where she contributed to research on protein synthesis and drug delivery. Her work involved developing and aerosolizing peptide-based treatments designed to track and inhibit tumor growth, with a focus on lung tumors.

She also had a 12-week internship at Eli Lilly in Indianapolis.

"Seeing drug discovery from the ground up has been transformative," she said. "You don't just learn about medicine. You see how it's made, tested, and refined."

Her academic achievements at George Mason are matched by deep campus involvement. She has served as a resident assistant, participated in Student Government, and worked as a biology peer mentor, learning assistant, and research assistant. She is also president of the George Mason chapter of the National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE), which sponsored her to travel to and present at conferences and helped her connect fellow students to research and internship opportunities.

"My involvement came from being pushed by professors, friends, and mentors," she said. "They helped push me to try things even when I felt out of place."

From a nervous first-year student navigating unfamiliar spaces to a confident leader encouraging others to step beyond self-doubt, Parkes sees her college experience as transformational.

"I came here unsure of myself," she said. "Now, I leave knowing that what I thought were my limits weren't limits at all."

As she prepares for the next chapter in pharmacy school, Parkes hopes future students take one lesson from her journey: Perfection is not the goal.

"You don't have to have everything figured out," she said. "You just have to keep going and let yourself grow along the way."

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