“I do not take for granted the immense privilege it is to work, learn and ask questions with some of the most perceptive minds around.”
Kellie Ann Jurado, PhD
Principal Investigator
The individuals who make it all happen.
“Don't let anyone dim that curiosity or determination to solve problems. Science can be difficult at times with failed experiments or hypothesis that are proven incorrect, but those moments where you figure out the problem or get that western to work far outweigh those momentary dips. Keep asking questions and reach out to others for help. Science is very much a team endeavor.”
Christine Vazquez, PhD
Penn Provost and BWF PDEP Postdoctoral Fellow
Christine.Vazquez@Pennmedicine.upenn.edu
“Science is flexible – some days are all thinking about the big picture and developing hypotheses, other days are working hands-on to do experiments or coming up with creative ways to solve problems. No two days are the same, and you get to collaborate with other people who are excited to ask and answer questions.”
Elizabeth Kennedy, PhD
Hartwell Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow
Elizabeth.Kennedy2@Pennmedicine.upenn.edu
“My advice for those who would like to get into science is to contact people involved in research and get into a lab. Being able to ask your own questions and learn techniques to answer scientific questions is very rewarding. Additionally, labs are comprised of people with different expertise, so they provide an awesome environment to ask questions about the field.”
Seble Negatu
PhD Graduate Student, Penn Presidential PhD Fellow
Immunology Graduate Group in Biomedical Graduate Studies
snegatu@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
“Scientific breakthroughs do not come from working alone, but rather are a direct result of collaboration. Surrounding yourself with people from diverse backgrounds and scientific interests allows for thought-provoking discussions and innovation. Having a group of peers and labmates that support you in reaching your scientific and personal goals is incredibly special and rewarding.”
Madeline Merlino
PhD Graduate Student, CAMB T32 fellow
Microbiology, Virology & Parasitology Program in Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Group
mmerlin@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
“I pursue science because I enjoy learning continuously! To quote Mary Shelley: “In a scientific pursuit there is continual food for discovery and wonder.”
Montserrat Arreguin
PhD Graduate Student, HHMI Gilliam Fellow
Immunology Graduate Group in Biomedical Graduate Studies
arreguin@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
“Science is… an expression of curiosity. Many discoveries are made because people are curious about why something is happening or how something works. I think science is the perfect field for those who want to keep asking questions and follow their curiosity down the rabbit hole.”
Taylor Miller-Ensminger
PhD Graduate Student, NSF-GFRP fellow
Microbiology, Virology & Parasitology Program in Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Group
taylor.miller-ensminger@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
“My favorite scientist is Gordon Awandare, a parasitologist from Ghana (my home country). He has furthered our understanding about malaria and importantly, is helping build research infrastructure in Ghana!”
Carl Bannerman
MD-PhD Graduate Student
Microbiology, Virology & Parasitology Program in Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Group
Carl.Bannerman@Pennmedicine.upenn.edu
“My advice for those who want to pursue scientific research is to never stop being curious. All great scientific discoveries start with an observation and a drive to ask questions. This is a magical place, because here you have the freedom to think big and use your imagination.”
Ariana Campbell
PhD Graduate Student, NSF-GFRP Fellow
Microbiology, Virology & Parasitology Program in Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Group
Ariana.Campbell@Pennmedicine.upenn.edu
“My favorite periodic element is titanium. It's super-strong, but also lightweight and has a wide variety of uses. Titanium is used in innovative products such as surgical implants and spacecrafts, but can be used on delicate skin inside some moisturizers, plus it’s a title of a sweet song. Finally, its most relevant use to me is that titanium is used in my favorite hobby to make golf clubs strong to hit the ball a long way."
Peter Hewins, MLAS, LARC
Technical Director Animal Biosafety Level-3 Facility
phewins@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
“I have always looked at the world in wonder. The way that the sun sets and creates cotton candy colored skies, the creation of life - a whole human being from the fusion of two cells; it is seemingly pure magic to me - because we don't understand it all fully yet. There is still so much left to uncover and I pursue, love science because it is the way through which I am able to keep that wonder alive and, even better - lean into it to ask questions and learn.”
Elizabeth Ramos
Vagelos Scholars Program in the Molecular Life Sciences Undergraduate Research Fellow
Past Members
“We all wonder about the world around us, and in some cases, we wonder why our body functions the way it does. If you do not know, read about it. If the information is unreliable, develop your own experiment and test it. This is science, pursuing knowledge to make sense of the world around us.”
Briah Barksdale
Postbaccalaureate Penn PREP Scholar 2022-2024
Current: MD-PhD @ University Wisconsin Madison
“I pursue science because it empowers us to examine the mechanics of the world and to shape the fabric of society, and I will be forever grateful for the privilege I have to be a part of an extraordinary academic milieu that strives to uncover new scientific knowledge—knowledge with the real power to change the world.”
David Song
Penn PURM Undergraduate Research Scholar 2020-2024
“Science is the puzzle of life. I pursue science because I enjoy being a part of the effort of making the pieces fit. Experiments are rewarding whether they result in outcomes expected or not. Each one is a step closer to discovering what the connections are. The more that is understood, the more we can benefit society and picture life as a whole.”
Thomasina Cook
ABSL-3 Researcher 2021-2024
Current: Veterinary Medical Student
“Science is… impartial. One thing I love about being a scientist is that my data is not altered by my desires. Regardless of what I want the results of an experiment to be, the outcome will always be the same. Sometimes science feels random and experiments often fail, but in the end, science is not swayed by who you are or what you want.”
Rebecca Clements, PhD
Penn PORT, Hematology T32, and AHA Postdoctoral Fellow 2021-2023
Current: Assistant Professor Swarthmore College
“Betterment is a science in itself. As a laboratory animal veterinarian, I am constantly seeking the betterment of both scientific answers and the animals in my care.”
Lisa Hagan, VMD
ULAR Resident Veterinarian Researcher 2022-2023
Current: Veterinarian at Johnson & Johnson
“My advice for others who want to pursue a career in science would be to never give up. I used to view failure as the anthesis of success; however, I quickly learned that success without failure paints an incomplete picture of science. For every publication, poster, and grant, there are even more failed experiments, dead ends, and rejections. Research has taught me not to view failure as personal shortcomings, but as opportunities to ask questions, reframe problems, and try new approaches. To be a scientist does not require perfection, but perseverance and resilience in the absence of it.”
Alexandra Lopez
Lab Manager 2021-2022
Alexandra.Lopez1@Pennmedicine.upenn.edu
Current: PhD student at Penn
“I pursue science because it is a dynamic attempt to understand and describe our outside (and inside!) world. It is a way of thinking that carries over to all aspects of life, allowing for discovery and building on the known or challenging what I once took to be absolutely true. You are never 'done' and there is always more to delve into, making it a tremendously fulfilling field.”
Sydnie Swanson
Research Specialist 2019-2021
Current: Medical student @ Penn Medicine