Karsten Householder

The combination of passion and persistence fuel this ballplayer and chemist’s success

Karsten discovered his first set of test tubes and beakers during a scavenging expedition with his Papa. The two were looking for scrap metal and wood to use in Papa’s artwork. For Karsten, the test tube find sparked a life-long fascination with chemistry. While some of his ideas have, literally, blown up in his face, the failures (and singed eyebrows) don’t discourage him; they only inspire to remain persistent and learn from his mistakes.

He has experienced this very same lesson on the baseball field and especially in his martial arts practices, where his jujitsu and karate teacher has shown him the true meaning of grit. He understands how to pick himself up and keep going, in spite of exhaustion or setbacks. When a shoulder injury sidelined Karsten for six months and he couldn’t play baseball, he used the opportunity to pursue another passion. As an athlete and a member of a family that suffers from hereditary cancer, he has always had an interest in medicine and how the body works. He used his injury as an opportunity to start shadowing surgeons. Ultimately, he founded the Medical Doctor Club at his school, which allows students to explore the healthcare profession. As president of the club, he has coordinated several major events, including a tour of the world-renowned genetics lab at T-Gen.

Combining his gift for chemistry and his passion for medicine, Karsten hopes to have a career in biochemistry or the biomedical engineering field. But he’s not waiting to get a degree to make an impact. This past summer, he started his own company to focus on research and creating more efficient diagnostic equipment. And he regularly volunteers with organizations including Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered (FORCE), which helps improve the lives of individuals and families affected by hereditary cancer. Whether he’s working in the lab or in the community, Karsten’s relentless pursuit of success will ensure that his efforts help make the world a better place.