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Throughout the spring and summer, we'll be honoring our senior student-athletes with a "Senior Salute" series. Today's featured senior is Josh Gluck, a biology major from Bay Village, Ohio. Gluck is a member of the swimming and diving team.
Q: Why did you choose to attend The College of Wooster?
A: I was drawn in by the welcoming and friendly nature of everyone on campus. I was very intrigued by the Independent Study program and other undergraduate research opportunities. I knew it was an atmosphere in which I could succeed.
Q: What does it mean to you to be a Fighting Scot student-athlete?
A: It means having a team that supports me in and out of the pool. It means having a family that pushes me to go the extra mile. It means having a half-dozen people at the end of my lane cheering me on to swim faster.
Q: What are some of your favorite memories as a student at The College of Wooster?
A: Every training trip, Wooster Invitational, and North Coast Athletic Conference Championships have special memories. My 200 individual medley at the 2019 Wooster Invitational was really special. I also loved cheering on the men's 400 freestyle relay on the final night of the 2019 conference meet. It was truly inspiring.
Q: What's the best part about being a student-athlete at The College of Wooster?
A: All of my teammates are just as invested in their academics as I am. It's also great to have a community of student-athletes who all have great mutual respect for one another.
Q: What else were you involved with on campus besides your sport?
A: I was involved with sophomore research, lifeguarding, and was a teaching and office assistant.
Q: Which College of Wooster faculty or staff member has made the greatest impact on you and why?
A: Dr. (Stephanie) Strand. She taught my first 300 level biology class, took me on for the Sophomore Research Program and Summer Research, and is my Independent Study advisor. I have learned a great deal from her about microbiology, research, and pursuing a career in biology.
Q: What other people or resources impacted your Wooster experience in a positive way and how did these people/resources set you up to be successful at Wooster?
A: Our head coach, Rob Harrington. I learned a lot about developing and maintaining team culture from our team leadership meetings. I also became a much better swimmer through his guidance. My freestyle is now semi-respectable despite it still being my worst stroke.
Q: Tell us a bit about your Independent Study project?
A: I am investigating the connection between the microbiome and sleep behavior. Specifically, I want to see how the presence or absence of a certain bacteria – L. brevis – effects the sleep recovery and transcriptional levels of the nur gene after a period of sleep deprivation. The bacteria in question is commonly found in yogurt, and there are possible applications for its use as a probiotic that could aid in sleeping. The results of my project will also shed further light on the specific microbes which interact with the genetic pathways in the neurons involved in maintaining sleep homeostasis.
Q: Tell us a bit about something cool you did as a student at The College of Wooster?
A: During the summer of 2019, I was a counselor for a genetics NSF summer camp held at The College of Wooster. I helped high school students learn molecular biology techniques, which they used with genotype tomato plants. During that time, I worked on my own research project, which involved characterizing pigment-producing bacteria that I found in local parks.
Q: Reflecting back on your time at Wooster, what is one piece of advice you would give your first-year (freshman) self?
A: Use the pizza station in the dining hall to make calzones. Also, season your chicken.
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