When I first heard that the Department of Molecular Genetics is celebrating its 50th anniversary, the first thing that came to mind was the fact that I was there for its 40th anniversary celebration. I was then a second year undergraduate student and I just chose to specialize in Molecular Genetics and Microbiology. It became one of the most important decisions of my life, leading me to meet my now-husband and to find my path towards a career in academia.
During my time at MoGen, I met two incredibly supportive mentors who continue to be positive role models for me to this day. I would never have embarked on this journey if it wasn’t for Dr. William Navarre, my undergraduate supervisor. He took a chance on me when I was a sophomore and instilled in me the confidence to pursue science as a career. I am equally grateful to my PhD advisor, Dr. Leah Cowen. She is an incredibly passionate scientist, and her enthusiasm towards science was a constant source of motivation throughout my PhD. Today, I am training as a postdoctoral fellow at Stanford University, focusing my research on understanding mutation-independent mechanisms of drug resistance. Needless to say, MoGen has been an integral part of my life and career and I am forever grateful!
