David Rainey, has been named co-valedictorian with Grace Tin Yan Lee, for BYU-Hawaii’s June 2007 graduating class. Rainey is graduating with majors in Biology (Pre-Med) and Music (cello), and minors in Biochemistry and Mathematics. Although Rainey was born in Hailey, Idaho, as a child he also lived in South Korea, Utah, and California, before returning to Boise, Idaho, where his parents, Steven and Young Ju Rainey, currently reside.
“I’ve had wonderful opportunities to serve in the Church at BYU-Hawaii,” said Rainey. “I’ve also learned so much from the multi-cultural diversity on this campus.”
As part of his studies at BYU-Hawaii, Rainey has been involved in genetic research as part of a school study on the Pacific Golden Plover. This joint research project between BYU-Hawaii and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in Alaska, has allowed him to work extensively with Dr. Shane Gold of the BYU-Hawaii Biology Department. According to Dr. Gold, Rainey, “David is a wonderful person. I’m so impressed with him. His skills as a scientist are humbling to me; his music skills are incredible.”
While working with the USGS Molecular Ecology Lab in Anchorage, Alaska last summer, Rainey not only worked on the project assigned to him, but did work on a project of his own.. The research he did on DNA extracted from unstudied portions of plover feathers will expand the ability to study population genetics of not only the Golden Plover, but of shore birds the world over, according to Dr. Gold. Rainey is hoping to publish his research in the near future.
At the age 16, Rainey started his college career at Albertson College in Caldwell, Idaho. After a mission to Sydney, Australia, he transferred to BYU in Provo. While studying on the Provo campus, he had the opportunity to meet some of the BYU-Hawaii Biology faculty, and was impressed to transfer here. He also met his future wife, Carrie, while in Provo.
Carrie transferred to BYU-Hawaii the semester after they met, but they continued regularly correspond, and were married in the Seattle Temple on 6 August 2004. Following their marriage, the Rainey’s came to BYU-Hawaii, where Carrie graduated in 2005.
Rainey says he plans to begin medical school in the fall of 2008.