By Leah Hromalik Have you ever wondered how someone becomes a scientist? For Lyric McCullouch, the journey began with art. They attended the University of Mississippi to study art, developing creativity, observation skills, and a careful eye for detail. However, while exploring different interests, Lyric discovered that they were also fascinated by genomics and fish. This unexpected combination helped lead them toward a career in science.
Genomics is the study of an organism’s complete set of genetic information. Genes can tell scientists important details about living things, including how they grow, how they are related to other organisms, and how they may respond to changes in their environment. By studying fish and their genetics, scientists can learn more about biodiversity, ecosystems, and the health of waterways.
Lyric’s path shows that careers do not always follow one straight line. Their background in art may seem different from genomics, but both fields involve close observation, patience, and asking thoughtful questions. Artists study color, shape, and meaning, while scientists study patterns in nature and evidence from the world around them.
After realizing that genomics and fish interested them, Lyric began moving toward laboratory work. Their curiosity helped them explore a new subject and build skills that could be used in many scientific settings. Their story is a reminder that it is okay to change direction when you find something exciting. An early interest does not have to determine every part of a future career.
