亚洲AV

Earning a master鈥檚 degree and graduate certificate online worked perfectly for neurosurgeon Nick Marko

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There are lifelong learners and then there are individuals like Nick Marko, who recently graduated with a and a graduate certificate in from the at 亚洲AV.

Nick Marko and Greg Koblentz with award
Before earning his degree in May, Nick Marko (left) received the Outstanding Biodefense Student Award. Pictured here with his advisor Gregory Koblentz. Photo by John Boal Photography

Marko also happens to be a board-certified neurosurgeon who currently serves as director of neurosurgery for LewisGale Health System in Salem, Virginia.

鈥淚 am someone who has a hard time not continuing to learn,鈥 he said.聽

Marko decided to pursue a master鈥檚 in biodefense at the Schar School because of an interest in the history of biological and chemical weapons development, proliferation, and use, including both the science and the policy/political dimensions.

鈥淚 had read as much as I could on my own in my spare time, but there is always the situation of 鈥榊ou don鈥檛 know what you don鈥檛 know,鈥欌 he said.

Marko was familiar with George Mason鈥檚 reputation, having attended college and medical school at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., and was aware of the school鈥檚 online offerings.

鈥淚 knew that George Mason had one of the first departments in this [biodefense] space and that it had a great faculty,鈥 he said.聽鈥淎lso, the ability to do the work online was a big plus for me, because I have a full-time day job and had to do coursework on nights and weekends in a bit of a protracted fashion.聽Ultimately the fit was perfect for my needs.鈥

Initially planning to earn a graduate certificate in biodefense, Marko鈥檚 coursework piqued his interest and led him to earn both the master鈥檚 degree and certificate.

鈥淭hings got a little bigger in scope than I had initially planned, but it was a great experience,鈥 he said.

Because he completed his degree and certificate coursework completely online (with a few in-person campus visits), Marko appreciated the Schar School鈥檚 flexibility.

鈥淭he Dean's office was accommodating to my somewhat unique situation and was open to facilitating solutions that allowed me to pursue the degree,鈥 he said.聽鈥淚 was grateful that such an opportunity was available because I couldn鈥檛 have made it work otherwise.鈥

He also praises his professors and advisors, and .

鈥淭hey were absolutely terrific,鈥 he said. 鈥淚 met with them personally several times, and we traded a lot of emails.聽Both are incredibly knowledgeable and well-connected in their fields.聽I couldn鈥檛 have asked for a better pair of mentors.鈥

Before earning his degree in May, Marko earned the Outstanding Biodefense Student Award, a testament to his academic efforts and love of learning.

鈥淚 am proud of the work that I have done as part of the program,鈥 he said.聽鈥淚 am fortunate to have the opportunity to explore some topics of personal interest at this stage of my life and my career, and the biodefense master's was an example of how I intend to keep doing that.鈥