What is your official title at Drexel?

My primary title is director of education innovation and strategic partnerships for the Department of Microbiology & Immunology. I also serve as the director for the Center for Business and Program Development at the Institute for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Disease, and as interim co-director of the interdisciplinary biomedical graduate programs, along with our department chair, Brian Wigdahl, PhD.

Explain what you do in around 50 words.

I specialize in creating and managing graduate programs, serve as an advisor to current and prospective students, work on enrollment management, forge interdisciplinary partnerships, both internally and externally, act as a career counselor, and create programs and initiatives such as the Cell and Gene Therapy Summer Academy, which is funded through a partnership grant with Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS).

Who do you interact with most on a daily basis?

I interact mostly with students, but a large part of my role includes interfacing with strategic partners such as BMS, CYTO|PHL, and B+Labs. I am always exploring ways to work with others on mutually beneficial projects like internships and guest lectures, so please reach out to me if you would like to connect.

What is your typical day like?

There really is no typical day, which I love. Most days include helping students with their questions, answering admissions questions, talking to alumni, giving career advice, emailing with corporate partners, corresponding with faculty and adjuncts, and working on new initiatives. Something I have started recently is introducing AI platforms to others at our departmental faculty meetings, such as Connected Papers, Scite and Litmaps.

How do you see your work fitting into the big picture of the missions of the College?

I find value in helping to create the next generation of scientists and researchers. The work coming out of our department is life-changing and inspires me every day. I have a special interest in cell and gene therapy since my sister, Katie, has a rare genetic disorder. It was an honor to help create the MS in Biomedicine and Cell and Gene Therapy program and the Certificate in Regulatory Affairs for Cell and Gene Therapy program, and to pilot the new Cell and Gene Therapy Summer Academy last summer.

What are your favorite and least favorite tasks?

My absolute favorite task is when I get to network — whether it is recruiting at a conference for our graduate programs or co-hosting a monthly immune engineering/cell and gene therapy social hour with Kara Spiller, PhD, professor at the School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems. Talking to others in the field and letting them know about the exciting things going on at Drexel never ceases to inspire me. My least favorite task is creating budgets for grants or project proposals, because I find it tedious.

What is your educational and previous work background? How did those prepare you for what you do now?

I have a very different background from other higher education professionals or scientists, but I think that it helps me leverage different skill sets. I have a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Villanova University, an MS in higher education from the Drexel School of Education, an MS in complementary and integrative health from the Drexel University College of Nursing and Health Professions, and I am finishing a doctorate in health science from the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Science. I have worked at Drexel for 17 years, and look forward to teaching once I complete my doctorate.

When you are working on site, do you bring your own lunch or eat out?

If I am working on site, I like to eat out to get some fresh air and check out new restaurants in the city.

What’s one unusual or unexpected item in your home or campus workspace?

In my office in New College Building I have a collection of plush microbes. They look very cute, but when you pick one up and read the label you will see it’s a virus, pathogen or cell. Don’t worry, they are not contagious.

What’s one piece of Philly culture that you return to over and over again?

I love going to the museums in Philadelphia, especially the Mütter Museum at the College of Physicians. If you have never been there, I highly recommend it! I also love to run on the Schuylkill River Trail.

 
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