Prepared for Anything: Biology Student Saves a Life

The sophomore biology major from Shaler, Pa., aspires to become a physician—the first doctor in his family—and he looks forward to partnering with faculty and classmates on research and clinical opportunities throughout his undergraduate career. 
 
Xander knows that good physicians think on their feet and work as a team—all qualities he’s developed over the past six summers as a lifeguard at his community pool. 
 
“I love that job and it’s treated me well,” he said. “I like sitting in the sun, watching the water and keeping everyone safe.”

A leader on deck 

 While Xander has stepped in several times over the years to help struggling swimmers and administer first-aid, a situation in summer 2024 required him to put all of his training to the test.
 
“I was overlooking the shallow water and I heard someone yelling to call 9-1-1,” said Xander. 
 
Xander blew his whistle four times to indicate immediate danger. The pool cleared, and his colleagues met at the site of the emergency.
 
Xander approached as fellow lifeguards were administering CPR. Neither the guards nor two nurses who happened to be nearby were able to find a pulse. 
 
“I started chest compressions, and on compression 16 he took a large, deep breath and sat up,” said Xander. “I explained what happened and placed ice on the back of his head and on his chest. From there, we asked questions to determine if he was cognitively ok and waited for the ambulance.”
 
Xander notes that he was “in the right place at the right time” and his training prepared him for this scenario. He’s thankful for his colleagues who knew exactly what to do and for the appreciation he felt from the swimmer’s family. 
 
“We had a great outcome from a horrible situation,” he said. “We had to do our job right to make sure he could walk away from this.”

Team player, traveler and future physician

Xander acknowledges that this type of care requires the effort of a team, similar to what he’ll encounter someday as a physician. 
 
While he was originally interested in oncology, Xander also has considered cardiology. He’s met with individuals employed in each field to learn more about their day-to-day and to get a running start on this meaningful career. 
 
“There are so many options that I’ve started to learn about that I could see myself doing,” said Xander. “I just have to experience it to determine if it’s what I see myself doing for the rest of my life.”
 
In addition to exploring his future profession, Xander is passionate about exploring the world and learning how history can shape our future. He is determined to visit all seven continents and has progressed toward this goal through the Duquesne in Rome program and a visit to Paris.
 
While overseas, Xander visited catacombs, built confidence by exploring on his own, and observed remnants of World War II, including Parisian buildings with shrapnel-embedded walls.  
 
Just as lifeguarding has shaped Xander’s character and sharpened his view of the person he’d like to become, travel has done the same. It’s shifted him to a new and clearer vantage point—both in terms of what he’s studying and the larger world.
 
“My trips were such a surreal experience and I think everyone needs to travel to understand why we can’t let certain things happen again,” he said. “It gives a greater understanding of the world.”