Joseph Sherman

Joseph Sherman
Major: Physiology and Developmental Biology
Graduation: June 2021

I am from Mesa, Arizona and am the second of four boys in my family. We are all BYU sports fans and love to surf, ski, and play tennis together. I love the gospel and the spirit of service it brings into my life. I feel like one of the greatest ways I can serve others is by becoming a physician and am fascinated by the way the body works. Its design and capabilities are amazing to me. I've also been able to do public health work for the Department of Health and Human Services and am passionate about understanding how our environments works with our biology to frame our overall picture of health.

If there was an Olympics for everyday activities, what activity would you have a good chance at winning a medal in?
Using my blinker when I change lanes.

When you have 30 minutes of free time, what do you do?
I like to watch highlights from the latest Phoenix Suns basketball game. I grew up in Arizona and am a lifelong Suns fan!

Why did you decide to join the Honors Program?
Growing up, my mother often told me and my brothers to "enrich and contribute." That meant that we enriched and contributed to our home environment by mowing the lawn or doing the dishes. It also meant that we should serve in our neighborhood, give talks in our ward, and participate in our school activities.

I love the Honors Program because it captures this phrase my mom taught me. Students in the Honors Program are expected to add their voice and enrich the classroom discussions with perspectives from each of their majors. Being exposed to ideas from so many different fields has broadened and enriched my understanding. I love learning from my peers and professors. We also have the opportunity to compose a thesis that will enrich the world around us and contribute to solving the challenges we face today.

What has been your favorite part of your Honors Experience?
The opportunity to write an Honors Thesis has definitely been my favorite part of the honors experience. I've especially been inspired by my thesis advisors. They have both told me that a thesis shouldn't be seen as a final box to check off before graduation, but instead be seen as a foundation that will be built on and used throughout my future career. My thesis focuses on limiting maternal morbidity and mortality and as an aspiring physician, I hope that the skill sets I develop in this research will help me do more health-related research in the future.

What is your next step in Honors? (Specific class, thesis proposal/defense, etc)
I will complete HNRS 320 and HNRS 223 this semester. I am currently analyzing data for my thesis and will defend it during the Spring term.