About Jessica 🧬


I received an Honors Bachelor of Science Degree with Distinction in Biological Sciences from the University of Delaware (UD). In addition to writing an honors thesis during my undergraduate, I participated in two summer internships at Merck in the Department of Infectious Diseases and Vaccines. I received a Doctor of Philosophy in Molecular and Cellular Pathology from the University of Michigan (U-M). My dissertation research in the DiFeo Lab investigated the mechanism of a novel small molecular in high grade serous ovarian cancer. This work culminated in two first-author manuscripts with 22 citations, 27 scientific presentations, and over $200,000 in competitive research funding, including an NCI F31.

How I began my scientific career:

When I started college, I was really excited about biology. However, I wasn’t sure where it would take me. As a sophomore, joining a research lab introduced me to scientific research as a profession, which gave me the direction I needed.

With one year of lab experience under my belt, I made a point to secure a summer research opportunity that would fulfill my curiosity about molecular biology techniques. My internship at Merck was a phenomenal opportunity to become familiar with new techniques, technologies, and career paths. Importantly, the professional network that I formed at Merck connected me with scientists who shared life experience and career advice.

It humbled me to be invited to return to Merck for a second internship. In parallel with ongoing experiments, I met with colleagues over lunch to seek advice about graduate school. These conversations shaped my values surrounding graduate education and narrowed the list of schools to

which I applied. All the while, my experiences at Merck brought to light my interest in translational research. U-M’s Molecular and Cellular Pathology program has a strong focus on translational research, making it the perfect home for my Ph.D. pursuit.

Throughout these experiences, it became more and more evident that science communication was underrepresented. Before UD, I couldn’t picture “scientist” as a profession. Before Merck, I didn’t know that graduate school was paid training. Before U-M, I didn’t know that specific resources were available to prepare scientists for sharing their research with the public. The delay in receiving such valuable information emphasized to me the necessity for science communication. This inspired me to take action.

The impact of scientific outreach:

Undoubtedly, access to the right resources and to inspiring mentors equipped me with ample familiarity to begin a career in science. Starting my Ph.D. at Michigan made me reflect on how far I had come and that I could not have succeeded without supportive mentors. This reflection motivated me to pay it forward through scientific outreach. 

Several programs affiliated with the University of Michigan allowed me to engage with the local community and undergraduates across the country without access to research. In 2019, I was accepted as a Science Communication Fellow at the University of Michigan Museum of Natural History. I participated in two key annual events – a tabletop activity within the museum atrium describing DNA organization and 15-minute TED-style talks in the museum forum describing the process of drug discovery and highlighting my research. I love interacting with people of all ages, but I especially desired to interact with undergraduates exploring careers. Just as my mentors introduced me to the world of science, I wanted to expose other young, curious minds.

For two years I served as an instructor for Developing Future Biologists, an organization that creates an annual one-week, all-expenses-paid, immersive short course for underrepresented students who lack access to research in developmental biology. Leading up to the course, we design the didactic coursework, professional development workshops, and hands-on wet lab modules. DFB now offers summer research fellowships, teaching assistantships, and conference travel awards for its alumni. In addition to the customary instructor responsibilities, I also led treasury efforts to secure $51,000 for DFB’s initiatives, including the $35,000 American Society for Cell Biology Public Engagement Grant. While DFB was forced to host virtual courses in 2020 and 2021, I maintained connection with the students through Slack channels and virtual office hours. In its nine years, DFB has produced 200 undergraduate alumni, with over 25 DFB alumni who are pursuing graduate training in biomedical research. Another instructor and I published an article in Development that describes DFB in detail to encourage launching at other universities and to expand our communal impact. DFB has helped cast my net beyond what I would have been capable of on my own.

Finally, I built this website to also provide guidance for graduate students to improve their science communication skills and and serve as a resource for the public to engage with scientists and read about exciting scientific findings. My efforts in scientific outreach have been recognized through the inaugural Molecular & Cellular Pathology Outstanding Service Award.

Select Career Highlights :

  • Best Presentation, Ovarian Cancer Midwest Focus, Minneapolis, MN ($500)
  • Three Minute Thesis Competition Winner, Rogel Cancer Center, Univ. of Michigan
  • Outstanding Service Award, Molecular and Cellular Pathology, Univ. of Michigan ($250)
  • NIH National Cancer Institute F31 Research Fellowship ($80,000; Scored Top 9%)
  • Science Communication Fellow, Museum of Natural History
  • Best Poster, Univ. of Michigan 19th Annual Pathology Research Symposium ($125)



The views expressed on this website are mine alone and do not represent the views of my current or past employers.