From Punnett Squares to Plant Science: How Hannah Fabacher Found Her Scientific Calling at WSU

For many students, the path toward a scientific career begins with a formal laboratory setting or a high-stakes classroom epiphany. For Hannah Fabacher, a rising star in Washington State University’s (WSU) College of Veterinary Medicine, the journey started at the dinner table with a question that challenged the very foundations of her family’s biology.

Fabacher, a native of Snohomish, Washington, is currently pursuing a degree in genetics and cell biology with a minor in microbiology. As she tracks toward her December 2026 graduation, she has evolved from a curious child questioning her own heritage to a burgeoning researcher contributing to critical agricultural studies. Her story is one of academic perseverance, the power of mentorship, and the importance of remaining open to the unexpected turns of a scientific career.

The Genetic Spark: A Childhood Mystery

The genesis of Fabacher’s academic path was rooted in a classic biological conundrum. While studying Mendelian genetics in school, she encountered the famous Punnett square—a tool used to predict the probability of offspring genotypes. Applying this logic to her own family, she hit a snag: her father possessed blue eyes and her mother green, yet she had brown eyes.

"I actually went home and asked my parents if I was adopted," Fabacher recalls with a laugh. "They quickly assured me that I looked way too much like my mother for that to be the case."

This personal inquiry sparked a deeper investigation into the nuances of recessive genes and generational trait skipping. It was the first time she realized that the world operated according to complex, invisible rules. This realization satisfied a core aspect of her personality: an unrelenting need to understand the "how" and "why" behind every phenomenon, whether it be cellular respiration, the mechanics of a computer, or the connectivity of Wi-Fi. For Fabacher, identifying that something worked was never enough; she had to dissect the mechanics of its existence.

Chronology: A Path Through WSU

Fabacher’s time at WSU has been defined by a transition from theoretical interest to applied research. Her trajectory reflects the broader mission of the College of Veterinary Medicine to foster interdisciplinary inquiry.

• Freshman Year: Initial coursework focused on the foundational rigors of the genetics and cell biology major. Like many science students, Fabacher faced the "weed-out" courses that test the resolve of aspiring scientists.
• Sophomore Year: Deepening her engagement with the curriculum, Fabacher began to forge critical relationships with faculty and advisors. It was during this period that she learned to balance academic rigor with personal well-being.
• Junior Year (The Turning Point): Fabacher participated in WSU’s Research and Extension Experiences for Undergraduates (REEU) program, a collaboration with the USDA. This summer project shifted her research focus from human-centric gene editing to the complexities of plant science.
• Present Day: Currently in the final stretch of her undergraduate degree, Fabacher is preparing for graduate school applications, armed with a newfound passion for plant genetics and a robust set of research skills.

Supporting Data: The Impact of Mentorship

A critical component of Fabacher’s success has been the support system she cultivated within the WSU ecosystem. She identifies her academic advisor, Blake Uphus, as the primary catalyst for her growth. In a high-pressure environment like the College of Veterinary Medicine, the emotional toll of rigorous coursework is often overlooked.

"Blake helped me realize that college and my future are about so much more than just my grades," Fabacher notes. The ability to approach an advisor during moments of academic struggle without fear of judgment provided her with the psychological safety needed to excel. Conversely, having an advocate to celebrate her successes helped build her confidence as a student.

This mentorship model is supported by broader academic data, which consistently shows that student retention and success rates in STEM are significantly higher when students feel a sense of belonging and institutional support. At WSU, these personal relationships act as a bridge, transforming a large, sprawling research university into a manageable and supportive environment.

The Research Experience: Bridging Theory and Application

Perhaps the most significant development in Fabacher’s career was her summer stint with the USDA-funded REEU program. Tasked with analyzing the impact of heat and drought stress on wheat fertility and seed yield, Fabacher was thrust into the field—literally.

Her work involved a dual-track approach:

1. Field Collection: Gathering samples under environmental stressors, requiring physical stamina and observation skills.
2. Laboratory Analysis: Utilizing advanced techniques, including staining pollen with DAPI and employing fluorescence microscopy to analyze the physiological responses of the wheat.

This experience shattered her preconceptions. "I came into my degree with completely different research interests," she admits. "Getting thrown into wheat research and realizing how much I enjoyed it was a little unexpected. It showed me that I don’t have to limit myself to the areas of biology I already know I like."

This pivot is emblematic of the scientific process. While she initially entered college with a narrow focus on CRISPR and gene editing, her hands-on experiences have broadened her horizons. She now views the scientific landscape not as a rigid career path, but as a vast field of interconnected possibilities.

Official Perspectives: The Value of "Trial and Error"

When asked what advice she would offer to incoming students, Fabacher emphasizes the necessity of patience. The prerequisite courses, often heavy on chemistry and introductory biology, can be demoralizing for students eager to dive into specialized topics.

"Don’t let the prerequisite classes fool you," she warns. "Some of them are hard, and sometimes it can feel like you picked the wrong major. Once I got into my upper-level classes, I started getting to learn about the things that actually made me interested in genetics in the first place."

Her philosophy is simple: grant yourself the grace to endure the foundational stages before making a final judgment on your academic home. This approach aligns with the faculty’s goal of producing resilient scientists who can handle the long-term, often slow-paced nature of research.

Implications: A Future in Graduate Studies

Looking ahead to her post-graduation plans, Fabacher is set on pursuing a PhD. While she remains undecided on the exact sub-field, her goal is clear: to engage in research that produces real-world, meaningful impact.

The implications of her work—particularly in plant science—could not be more relevant. As climate change continues to stress global food systems, the research she participated in regarding wheat fertility and drought resilience is at the forefront of agricultural innovation. Whether she ultimately returns to gene editing or continues to explore the world of botany, she enters the workforce with a degree of intellectual flexibility that is increasingly rare.

Balancing the Equation: Life Beyond the Lab

Despite her academic intensity, Fabacher is a vocal advocate for work-life balance. Her extracurricular activities—which range from bowling and dancing to gaming and nail art—are not merely distractions; they are essential for her mental health.

"It’s easy to let academics become your entire world, especially in a science-heavy major," she explains. By compartmentalizing her life, she ensures that she remains a well-rounded individual, which she credits as the key to her continued academic success.

Perhaps most illustrative of her multifaceted personality is her relationship with thalassophobia. Despite a fear of deep, open water, she is an avid scuba diver. "It makes absolutely no sense," she admits, "but my need to know what’s down there is stronger than my fear of what might be down there."

This contradiction—a fear of the unknown coupled with an insatiable drive to explore it—is the hallmark of a true scientist. Hannah Fabacher’s journey at WSU is far from over, but she has already mastered the most important lesson of any scientific inquiry: the most rewarding discoveries are often the ones you never saw coming.