My scientific interests have developed through experiences in environmental studies, biotechnology, experimental research, and pharmaceutical science. Across each stage of my education and career, I have been drawn to understanding how biological systems interact with one another and with the environments that surround them.
I have viewed biology from multiple perspectives throughout my academic and professional experiences, from ecological systems to molecular mechanisms and analytical measurements. These perspectives have shaped my research interests, combining experimental approaches with quantitative analysis and scientific interpretation.
I have viewed biology from multiple perspectives throughout my academic and professional experiences, from ecological systems to molecular mechanisms and analytical measurements. These perspectives have shaped my research interests, combining experimental approaches with quantitative analysis and scientific interpretation.
Foundations in Environmental Science
My scientific journey began with my environmental science, where I first developed an appreciation for the interconnected nature of biological systems. While still in high school, I participated in a dual-enrollment program that allowed me to earn an Associate's degree in Environmental Studies alongside my secondary education specializing in Environmental Science. Experiencing environmental science through both a broad introduction to many of the field’s disciplines at the high school level and more rigorous, systems-focused coursework at the college level deepened my curiosity about how environmental factors influence biological processes and, ultimately, human health.
Rather than viewing environmental and biomedical sciences as separate disciplines, I became increasingly interested in the connections between them and the ways knowledge from one field can inform another. This interdisciplinary perspective has become a guiding principle of my scientific interests.
Two courses were particularly influential in shaping this mindset, approaching it from somewhat opposing angles. In my Soil Science class, we learned how physics, chemistry, and hydrology principles come together to explain soil formation and inform conservation techniques, while my Geographic Information Systems (GIS) class emphasized the importance of presenting scientific information in a digestible and easily shared format. Together, these experiences taught me that meaningful scientific progress depends on both interdisciplinary thinking and being able to effectively communicate scientific knowledge.
Rather than viewing environmental and biomedical sciences as separate disciplines, I became increasingly interested in the connections between them and the ways knowledge from one field can inform another. This interdisciplinary perspective has become a guiding principle of my scientific interests.
Two courses were particularly influential in shaping this mindset, approaching it from somewhat opposing angles. In my Soil Science class, we learned how physics, chemistry, and hydrology principles come together to explain soil formation and inform conservation techniques, while my Geographic Information Systems (GIS) class emphasized the importance of presenting scientific information in a digestible and easily shared format. Together, these experiences taught me that meaningful scientific progress depends on both interdisciplinary thinking and being able to effectively communicate scientific knowledge.
Growing into Biotechnology
My interest in biological systems led me to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology at Rutgers University–New Brunswick, where I developed a deeper understanding of the molecular and biochemical mechanisms that underlie biological processes. My coursework gave me experience with experimental methods and the scientific principles used to investigate biological questions at increasing levels of complexity, specifically at the molecular level. Biotechnology allowed me to explore the mechanisms that drive the biological interactions I learned about in my environmental studies, and the combination of perspectives strengthened my interest in interdisciplinary research and in connecting observations across biological scales.
Going from seeing the techniques I learned about in classes and read about in papers to actually performing them myself, everything from PCR and spectroscopy to various chemical assays, gave me a much deeper appreciation for both the techniques themselves as well as the way experimental methods translate biological concepts into meaningful discoveries and measurable observations.
Going from seeing the techniques I learned about in classes and read about in papers to actually performing them myself, everything from PCR and spectroscopy to various chemical assays, gave me a much deeper appreciation for both the techniques themselves as well as the way experimental methods translate biological concepts into meaningful discoveries and measurable observations.
Research Experience: Public and Environmental Health
My undergraduate research experience can be affectionately summarized as “Fiona’s time with the ticks,” though my work also involved their similarly infamous public health counterparts, mosquitoes, and the potential up-and-coming stars of New Jersey vector surveillance: Culicoides midges. These experiences introduced me to the complexities of vector biology, molecular techniques, and public health research.
Working with experimental samples throughout the stages of sample management and preparation gave me a good understanding of the variety of processing steps necessary and the collaborative effort required for each step of the process. Through experience with scientific literature, biological identification, experimental reasoning, and communicating research findings, I was able to apply scientific concepts beyond the classroom and contribute to investigations of real-world biological questions in vector biology surveillance. Participating in specimen processing, nucleic acid isolation, PCR amplification, assay development, sample handling, and manuscript preparation gave me hands-on experience with the research process and showed me I thrive in a collaborative experimental environment. Through this work, I became particularly interested in how interactions between organisms and their environments influence patterns of disease transmission and therefore human health.
A major outcome of this work was contributing to a publication in the Journal of Medical Entomology examining an unusual tick parasitism event and historical exotic tick parasitism of humans in the United States. Additional projects I worked on during this period are at various stages of the data analysis, manuscript preparation, and publishing processes. This experience reinforced my interests in understanding the influences between environmental systems, biological organisms, and human health, while strengthening my desire to continue developing as an independent researcher.
Working with experimental samples throughout the stages of sample management and preparation gave me a good understanding of the variety of processing steps necessary and the collaborative effort required for each step of the process. Through experience with scientific literature, biological identification, experimental reasoning, and communicating research findings, I was able to apply scientific concepts beyond the classroom and contribute to investigations of real-world biological questions in vector biology surveillance. Participating in specimen processing, nucleic acid isolation, PCR amplification, assay development, sample handling, and manuscript preparation gave me hands-on experience with the research process and showed me I thrive in a collaborative experimental environment. Through this work, I became particularly interested in how interactions between organisms and their environments influence patterns of disease transmission and therefore human health.
A major outcome of this work was contributing to a publication in the Journal of Medical Entomology examining an unusual tick parasitism event and historical exotic tick parasitism of humans in the United States. Additional projects I worked on during this period are at various stages of the data analysis, manuscript preparation, and publishing processes. This experience reinforced my interests in understanding the influences between environmental systems, biological organisms, and human health, while strengthening my desire to continue developing as an independent researcher.
Industry Experience: Pharmaceutical Analytical Research
I now work as an analytical chemist in the pharmaceutical industry, where I have gained experience applying scientific principles in a regulated research environment. My work here has emphasized the importance of reliable and efficient methods, standardized measurements, and documentation for reproducibility in generating meaningful scientific results. This experience has expanded my understanding of how research is translated into practical applications, the importance of ensuring appropriate and robust methods are used, and critically engaging with the resulting data, all of which are valuable lessons across many areas of biological research.
Working in pharmaceutical generic development offers a more defined research and development pathway, as there is an established reference product and often existing methods that can be used as a starting point for comparison. In these circumstances, the goal is not to design a totally novel product, but instead to develop one that meets established expectations for performance and stability through rigorous testing. Performing routine and stability testing has given me a hands-on appreciation for the importance of efficiency and precision in laboratory work, from designing appropriate methods to executing and evaluating analytical testing. Working within defined timelines to produce experimental conclusions and deliver results has introduced me to a faster-paced research environment than I had previously experienced. It has reinforced the value of collaborative teams and well-designed systems to produce reliable outcomes.
Working in pharmaceutical generic development offers a more defined research and development pathway, as there is an established reference product and often existing methods that can be used as a starting point for comparison. In these circumstances, the goal is not to design a totally novel product, but instead to develop one that meets established expectations for performance and stability through rigorous testing. Performing routine and stability testing has given me a hands-on appreciation for the importance of efficiency and precision in laboratory work, from designing appropriate methods to executing and evaluating analytical testing. Working within defined timelines to produce experimental conclusions and deliver results has introduced me to a faster-paced research environment than I had previously experienced. It has reinforced the value of collaborative teams and well-designed systems to produce reliable outcomes.
Looking Forward
Moving forward, I am interested in research that combines strong experimental foundations with quantitative approaches to better understand complex biological questions. I hope to continue developing my skills in biological data interpretation, experimental design, and scientific communication while contributing to research that improves our understanding of biological systems and their connections to human health.
My experiences across environmental science, biotechnology, academic research, and pharmaceutical analysis have shown me the value of integrating multiple perspectives when investigating complex biological systems. These experiences have motivated me to continue building upon my experimental foundation while expanding my ability to analyze, interpret, and effectively communicate biological data. Ultimately, I hope to contribute to research that explores these connections, as I have found that the most meaningful scientific questions often emerge from interdisciplinary overlap. I aim to continue pursuing research that brings together these perspectives and better understand complex biological systems.
My experiences across environmental science, biotechnology, academic research, and pharmaceutical analysis have shown me the value of integrating multiple perspectives when investigating complex biological systems. These experiences have motivated me to continue building upon my experimental foundation while expanding my ability to analyze, interpret, and effectively communicate biological data. Ultimately, I hope to contribute to research that explores these connections, as I have found that the most meaningful scientific questions often emerge from interdisciplinary overlap. I aim to continue pursuing research that brings together these perspectives and better understand complex biological systems.
