Quinnzillaa

Thank you! One of my responsibilities at my current job is to interview new scientists, expert scientists, and managers applying to my department. With some very extensive discussions with management about their qualifications, I've seen a trend in how much they care about the quality of their presentation skills and communication skills. We had applicants from MIT, Northeastern, some school in North Carolina in the middle of nowhere, etc. None of them cared where the applicant's PhD was from, they were focused on what the person had done as an individual and if they'd made a name for themselves. I've also gotten a lot of advice from my coworkers who are well established. The consensus was that more prestigious universities and labs with very well known PIs tend to have more unnecessarily stressful environments because of the highly competitive nature of the people there. I've also heard quite a few horror stories about advisors that are more concerned about reputation than science or pawn you off on post-docs. I'd rather work in a more low key environment where I have the freedom to explore what interests me most instead of fighting to be at the top. That being said, my strategy was to look at very specific labs and their recent publications. If a lab is publishing regularly, opportunities to get your name out there are much higher. It also helps give you perspective into what they consider to be quality level work and the instrumentation they have available. Contacting PI's in advance was extremely beneficial, it really helped me narrow down what schools I would do well at and who I would get along best with. I contacted quite a few, some did not respond, others were not very open or helpful, but there were a few who I could picture myself working with for an extended period of time. Of course big name schools do have fancy instruments, but really I only need what's relevant to me and the research I want to do, instead of just having high dollar equipment that I would never use. It's a big time investment and I want it to be worth more than just a fancy piece of paper. I'm in a unique position because I'm still working in the industry, so I have the opportunity to secure a potential collaboration between my company and my future lab's PI, which would be highly beneficial for both parties. I think establishing and maintaining connections is extremely important throughout your career, it's hard for anyone to trust that you're capable without proof and references. A bit long winded, but I feel very strongly about this lol. Side note: BostonU has started sending out the info about their MSE open house in March and acceptances for the MSE program =)

Undergrad Institution (approx. rank/reputation in STEM): Harrisburg University of Science and Technology (relatively new university) Major(s): Biotechnology (nanotechnology specialization) Minor(s): Mathematics GPA in Major: 3.90/4.00 Overall GPA: 3.93/4.00 Demographics/Background: US Born & Raised, Female, late 20's GRE Scores: Q: 163 V: 158 W: I don't remember for this LOR: One from current manager in the pharmaceutical industry (R&D), one from advisor from undergrad, one from Expert Scientist in pharma industry (R&D) Research Experience: Research Assistant (undergrad) (1yr) Internship at Hershey Medical Center, Cancer institute (6mo) Research Assistant, grant funded (1yr) Associate Scientist at GSK Vaccines R&D (4.5yrs) Publications/Abstracts/Presentations: Conference Presentation & Interactive Demonstration: 3D Printing at R&D Days Conference, Slaoui Center for Vaccines Research Conference Poster: Targeted Delivery into the Nucleus of Live Cells - Using MB231 cell line and KI67 Antibody Conference Presentation: Herbal oil-based antimicrobial nanoparticles Conference Presentation: Efficacy of EGCG as a Neuroprotective Agent Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Scholarships/Achievements · Presidential Merit Scholarship, University Scholar’s Award, Presidential Scholarship, Women in STEM Scholarship Honor Societies · University Honors Program, Golden Key International Honour Society, Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society Awards Global Employee Recognition: Bronze Aug 2018: Supported critical activities needed to ensure successful manufacture of the first clinical drug product batch Dec 2018: Presentation and demonstration on 3D printing at R&D Days Apr 2019: Independently executed stability study, collected all data, and provided interim stability reports; ultimately supported self-life extension Global Employee Recognition: Silver Feb 2019: Led 5S Initiative in Drug Product Development Labs; silver awarded for having a major impact outside of working group Pertinent Activities or Jobs: I've been working in the pharmaceutical industry for 4.5 years. I'm currently a scientist in drug product vaccines research & development. Other Miscellaneous Accomplishments: I started my own online business in 2010, primarily programming files for embroidery machines. Anything else in your application that might matter (faculty connections, etc.): I've spoken with the PI for the lab I'd like to work in. I'm planning on meeting up with him to tour his lab this spring. Research Interests: Nanomanufacturing, polymers, and soft materials Institutions/Programs: Boston University, Northeastern University