Allie Koenig
Allie Koenig
B.S. Microbiology, 2025
Allie Koenig, a 2025 Mississippi State University graduate, first fell in love with the university as a junior in high school while attending fall preview day with her father. “I was in awe of the beautiful campus and felt so welcomed by so many kind people. I was so impressed by Hannah Coleman’s presentation on all the amazing things offered in the College of Arts & Sciences. I distinctly remember sitting in a Q&A session with the biological sciences ambassadors and listening to their stories and plans for when they graduate, hearing that some of them would be going to medical school and hoping that would one day be me,” said Koenig.
Once on campus, Koenig quickly found her place through involvement and community. Several experiences and organizations shaped her time at MSU and beyond. “The Shackouls Honors College and the Shackouls Honors Council were where I first found my place on campus and continued my involvement all four years. The Honors community is so special and is where I built several life-long friendships,” said Koenig.
Her academic experiences were equally formative. Koenig worked as a supplemental instruction leader for general microbiology for three semesters. “It was so much more than just a job; it was incredibly rewarding to help students understand and get excited about a subject I love. This experience, and the students I worked with, taught me a lot. I will always cherish and remember it, and hopefully they still remember the bacterial cell dance I made up for them,” laughed Koenig.
In addition to teaching, she gained hands-on experience through research in the biochemistry department, where she worked in both the lab and the greenhouse studying the impacts of drought and fungal infection on soybean plants.
Faculty mentorship also played a significant role in shaping her path. MSU faculty members Mary Celeste Reese, Brandy Roberts, Angela Benton, and Nicole Rader each made a lasting impact. Reese played a crucial role in helping Koenig navigate her pre-med journey, “from finding shadowing opportunities to providing encouragement during MCAT prep and my application cycle,” said Koenig. Roberts instilled a love for microbiology and was the reason Koenig chose to change her major after just one day in her class. Benton further nurtured that passion. “Her classes were so interesting and I wish I could have taken more with her! I will always be thankful for her mentorship and kindness,” said Koenig. Rader, Koenig’s honors seminar professor, introduced her to sociology in a way that felt both new and engaging.
After graduating in 2025, Koenig began medical school at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, where she is currently completing her first year in the M.D. program. Most of her days are spent in lectures covering topics such as anatomy, physiology, pathology, and pharmacology. “The days are long and the work is tough, but I am so close to achieving my life-long dream of becoming a physician,” said Koenig with a smile.
Her work continues beyond the classroom. This summer, Koenig will participate in UMMC’s Medical Student Research Program, working with a mentor in the department of emergency medicine on a study investigating disparities in CPR and AED access in the Mississippi Delta. She will also begin the UMMC School of Population Health’s first cohort of the post-baccalaureate certificate program in population health science, designed for medical students interested in applying population health concepts to real-world challenges.
“I am beyond proud to be the first in my family to attend medical school and to be on the path to becoming my family’s first physician.” She also credits her undergraduate experience for preparing her for the next step. “My MSU and CAS education has prepared me for the rigorous curriculum of medical school while equipping me with interpersonal skills essential to be the well-rounded, compassionate physician that I strive to become.”
Outside of class, Koenig remains highly involved on campus and in the community. She participates in the Office of Student Affairs’ SEAL Team (Student Event and Activities Leaders Team), will soon begin a role with the Student Health Coalition on the nutrition team, and serves as a MSU ambassador director. She also is a member of several organizations, including the Association of Women Surgeons and the Emergency Medicine Interest Group. In addition, she serves with the Jackson Free Clinic and has participated in outreach and screening events with the Student Health Coalition and local community partners. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, baking, crocheting, gardening, and has recently begun learning embroidery.
Koenig remains connected to MSU and the Starkville community by returning for football games, the Egg Bowl, Bulldog Bash, Old Main Music Festival, and the Cotton District Arts Festival, one of her favorite local events.
Her advice to current students reflects the mindset that guided her own journey. “Be intentional with your time and get comfortable being uncomfortable. It is not always easy to put yourself out there, especially after being rejected from an organization you applied for or feeling alone in a class when you don’t know anyone, but getting out of your comfort zone can lead you to great opportunities and relationships.”