Kelsey

Biology

I’ve been interested in biology for as long as I can remember. My parents are scientists who worked at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), so I was always encouraged to be interested in science; listening to them talk about research helped me understand what science was like. I spent time running around in the woods, trying science experiments, looking at edible plants, and appreciating the amazing diversity of natural life.

Before high school, I attended some summer camp science courses. When the time came to start high school, I decided to enroll in a biotechnology program at a local vocational high school. I spent four years learning all about biology, how to use lab equipment, and how to design independent research projects. I learned to keep a paper lab notebook, but have since switched to keeping my notebook on my computer, since I have trouble handwriting due to joint problems and pain. For my senior capstone, I interned at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, where I worked extensively on the Human Genome Project.

I attended MIT, where I took courses in both biology and computer science and had several undergraduate research experiences with faculty. I decided after a summer researching the genomes of bacteria found in the ocean that I really wanted to focus on evolutionary biology. I also spent a year studying molecular biology. After graduating with my bachelor’s degree, I worked for a year as a research assistant in a lab that studied how DNA and proteins interact in yeast. While working, I began having problems with my hands due to a connective tissue disorder, so my lab director and I ordered a special electronic pipette, which really took the strain off of my hands. I also got a special device to open tubes.

Currently, I am working towards a Ph.D. in biology at the University of Washington (UW) in Seattle. UW students and faculty are passionate about all areas of biology and the diversity of natural life. I have authored papers on my research, written a grant, presented my work at conferences, been a teaching assistant, and worked in the field in Yosemite National Park. Although I can no longer drive or stand up for long periods due to problems with my autonomic nervous system, I can lead a fieldwork team and navigate for a driver.

At the UW, I network with students, faculty, and staff with disabilities. My eventual goal is to be a tenured professor working in evolutionary biology. In my spare time, I also love birdwatching, gardening, and hiking (I use hiking poles and take lots of breaks).