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Naomi Manea ’26 has forged a path shaped by movement, service and a steadily forming sense of purpose rooted in patient care and scientific discovery. 

Originally from Sacramento, California, Manea moved with her family to North Carolina during her teenage years. After beginning her college journey at Mitchell Community College, she transferred to ���ϳԹ���, where she is now a biochemistry major with a psychology minor preparing to apply to medical school. 

“I felt supported because there were professors who pushed me to get me where I wanted to be,” she said. “I got to know them as mentors and collaborators, and they always made time for me.” 

That sense of connection to faculty and peers helped solidify her decision to pursue biochemistry as the foundation for a medical career. 

“I talked to people in healthcare and around the sciences, and I realized biochemistry gave me the strongest foundation because it connects biology and chemistry in a way that really prepares you for medicine,” Manea said. 

From there, her academic work has steadily expanded into research with statewide recognition. Manea recently presented at the North Carolina Academy of Science annual meeting, where she earned the John Bowley Derieux Research Award in Biochemistry and placed third in the Microbiology, Cell Biology and Molecular Biology category. Back at Lenoir-Rhyne, she won the Distinguished Scholar award from the Fritz Honors College. 

Manea’s research examined the antibacterial effects of oregano oil on bacterial growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and a cystic fibrosis strain from a patient. 

“I tested two different brands of oregano oil and found that the one with a higher concentration of carvacrol — the component that fights bacteria — was more effective at inhibiting growth,” she said. 

The work grew from a personal curiosity about natural remedies and developed into a structured investigation into microbial response and chemical concentration. 

“There are a lot of conversations around natural oils and alternative treatments,” she said. “I wanted to see if there was real scientific evidence behind it, and there actually is — at higher concentrations, there are measurable antibacterial effects.” 

Beyond the lab, Manea’s experience in healthcare has grounded her academic interests in patient care. She has worked as both an EMT in Forsyth and Iredell County as well as a certified nursing assistant in the oncology unit at Iredell Memorial Hospital. 

“I walk into work with energy and happiness, and I leave with that same feeling,” she said. “Even when it’s hard, being able to comfort someone or make a difference in their day is what makes it worth it. I found my purpose.” 

That experience has shaped not only her understanding of medicine, but also her approach to leadership on campus. As president of the Pre-Health Club, she has helped organize guest speakers, student engagement opportunities and a donation initiative supporting women’s health services at Iredell Memorial Hospital, including mammography access for patients in need. 

“Working in the hospital made me realize how much care extends beyond one patient. The compassion we bring to the bedside ripples outward, touching families, communities and lives far beyond the patient in front of us,” she said. “Through Pre-Health Club, I wanted to help support women who might not have easy access to mammography and make sure we were giving back in a meaningful way.” 

Manea also serves as president of Students for Life, vice president of the Biology Club and secretary of Chi Beta Phi — the national math and science honor society — roles that have reinforced her commitment to service and collaboration. 

“You have to be grateful for every moment, good or bad. You learn from yesterday, live for today and hope for tomorrow,” she said. “Life can feel like a rollercoaster — there are ups and downs, but you decide how you experience the ride.” 

Now preparing to apply to medical school, Manea is also reflecting on how far she has already come and how early her professional path has taken shape. 

“I’m graduating at 20 with so much time ahead of me,” she said. “I just want to keep building on what I’ve learned and move forward into medicine, where I've found my purpose.”