As both a toxicologist and a professor, Lauren Cramer paves the way for future female scientists to lead in toxicology.
Before graduating from Sterlington High School in May 2016, Lauren Cramer knew she wanted to attend college because of her love of learning. Cramer applied to numerous universities throughout the state but quickly realized that ULM best fit her needs. She claimed she “was able to live at home, which seemed like the best option financially.”
However, Cramer had no idea what she wanted to major in after graduating high school.
Cramer knew she loved science but did not know what she wanted to do with her passion for the subject. When she attended PREP, Cramer declared her major as general studies.
She sat down at a desk, made her schedule and signed up for common prerequisites. However, Cramer had enough hours remaining to take on an elective. She started searching for a class at the back of the course catalog. Cramer saw the course TOXI1001—Introduction to Toxicology—and thought it sounded interesting.
“I asked my PREP leader what toxicology was, and as I have discovered throughout the following years with most people, they had no clue,” Cramer said. “I decided to take a chance on the class and began my college career in Fall 2016.”
During her first semester at ULM, Cramer worked full time in retail, so she did not have much time to study for her full course load.
“I remember I had a TOXI1001 exam that I didn’t feel too great about and ended up telling my instructor at the time, Mr. Shannon Banks, not to judge me if I did poorly,” Cramer said. “Somehow, I ended up in his office talking about my plans, and he did what he does best encouraged me and noticed my potential. I walked into Sugar 259 thinking I failed a TOX exam and left as a toxicology major.”
While attending ULM, Cramer actively participated in organizations such as ULM’s toxicology club, Tau Omicron Chi, and enjoyed serving her community alongside her friends.
“I genuinely loved my college experience here at ULM,” Cramer said. “I enjoyed my classes, even the most challenging ones, and of course, all my TOX friends, who I struggled and studied with daily, made the TOX curriculum seem less daunting. My instructors and professors at the time—Mr. Banks, Mr. Herrock and Dr. Baer—were one of the main reasons I had such a great experience.”
Little did Cramer know that the relationships she formed with her instructors at ULM would eventually become the foundation of their professional relationships.
Cramer graduated with her bachelor’s degree in toxicology in the fall of 2019 and began graduate school for biology at ULM in the spring of 2020.
She recalls that within the first few months of her graduate studies, COVID-19 shut down the world. Forced into quarantine, Cramer attempted to finish the semester online.
“My master’s in biology came with many ups and downs, but I don’t regret a moment of it,” Cramer said. “I believe that everything happens for a reason, and if I hadn’t stayed at ULM for grad school, I may not have ended up where I am now.”
In the summer of 2022, Cramer graduated from ULM with a master’s degree in biology. She worked at the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) in the Underground Storage Tank Division for four months before securing a position in the Radiation Division.
At LDEQ, Cramer inspected X-rays, traveled across the country and received incredible training.
“I have no doubt that I would still be working at LDEQ if Mr. Banks hadn’t informed me that there was a position at ULM for a toxicology faculty member,” Cramer said. “Although I loved my previous job, I always try to take advantage of every opportunity that comes my way, and I decided to apply.”
