This article is part of a series featuring some of this year’s outstanding graduating students, nominated by their academic school or college or another University program in which they participated. Check for additional profiles of students in the Class of 2013 on UConn Today from now through Commencement.

As a student at RHAM High School, Ethan Sarnoski was sure about some things.

“When I applied for college, I only applied to UConn,” the Hebron native says.

However, as he learned during four standout years at the University, sometimes it’s important to be willing to go where the road takes you. Originally an animal science major with plans to be a veterinarian, Sarnoski discovered a love of research at UConn that saw him switch his major to pathobiology, a decision that led to accolades, honors, foreign travel, and, next fall, a slot at Yale University as a Ph.D. candidate in microbiology.

“I had always been interested in science, but I really didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do until I started working with Dr. Verardi,” he says.

Paulo Verardi, a professor of pathobiology and veterinary science, says he was contacted in November 2010 by Sarnoski, who wanted to talk about the research being done in Verardi’s lab.

“He immediately struck me as a highly motivated, engaging, and bright individual,” Verardi says. “He discussed with me extensively his interests in medicine, and in particular infectious diseases, immunology, and cancer, which ultimately led him to pursue the pathobiology major.”

Sarnoski’s time in Verardi’s lab culminated in a project involving recombinant vaccinia viruses, which Verardi expects will ultimately be published in a top peer-reviewed journal.

If that happens, it will add to an already impressive CV for Sarnoski, with accolades that include being a Babbidge Scholar and a New England Scholar, entry into the Honors Program, and selection as one of only 19 University Scholars in 2012.

Sarnoski was also selected to showcase his research findings by giving a presentation on his work at the 2012 Universitas 21 Undergraduate Research Conference held last summer in Tokyo.

Of course, research hasn’t been the sole focus of Sarnoski’s time at UConn: he says some of his best memories are of just spending time with his friends, including attending WorldFest, the annual celebration of the diverse cultures represented at the University. One year, he even participated in the traditional Polish dancing showcase at the event.

Sarnoski will receive his bachelor of science degree in May, and plans to do an internship in the summer with a research company before heading off to New Haven. Before that, though, he’s planning a month-long road trip with no particular itinerary in mind, once again willing to let new discoveries come to him.