Meet the newest Ph.D. students at JAX
Through this unique training opportunity, students apply for admission into doctoral programs at one of our partner institutions, and follow their academic degree requirements, while performing rotations and dissertation research under the supervision of a JAX faculty member affiliated with the university program.
“We are thrilled to welcome new Ph.D. students to JAX through our Cooperative Ph.D. Program with partner institutions Tufts University School of Medicine, UConn Health, and the University of Maine,” shares JAX Director of Predoctoral and Postdoctoral Education Meredith Theeman, Ph.D. “It is a privilege to train the next generation of biomedical scientists, and we are uniquely equipped to provide an innovative educational experience to students interested in the genetic basis of complex diseases and human health.”
Q&A with some of our newest Ph.D. Trainees
Kehinde Adeniran
Before joining the Biomedical Science Ph.D. program at the University of Maine Graduate School of Biomedical Science & Engineering, Kehinde Adeniran (she/her) majored in Biochemistry at University of Ibadan in Nigeria.
Why did you choose the GSBSE @ JAX track Ph.D. program?
My experience working at the Center for Genomics Research and Innovation in Nigeria ignited my interests in the fields of genomics and bioinformatics. What drew me to JAX was the remarkable alignment between my research interests and the ongoing work of numerous distinguished professors at the institution. Also, the rich diversity of ideas and the breadth of research questions explored at JAX. This environment will enable me to develop and better refine my research interests as I progress into the next phase of my academic career.
What are you most excited about?
Throughout my time at JAX, I look forward to not only expanding my skills as a researcher, but also nurturing personal growth. I am genuinely excited about pushing the boundaries of my perceived strengths and evolving into an improved version of myself. I am eager to engage with a diverse community of individuals and forge meaningful connections; and try new food.
Finish the sentence: “In 10 years, I want to…”
In 10 years, I want to be a happier, healthier version of myself.
Hang Chen
Hang Chen (she/her) earned a B.S. in Clinical Medicine at Shandong First Medical University in China prior to entering the Biomedical Science Ph.D. program through the University of Maine Graduate School of Biomedical Science & Engineering.
Why did you choose the GSBSE @ JAX track Ph.D. program?
When I interned at a hospital in 2019, I learned about immunotherapy. My mentor, a physician in the oncology department, told me that The Jackson Laboratory has the most advanced preclinical cancer immunotherapy models in the world. When exploring this further, I saw that GSBSE @ JAX was a unique graduate program with opportunities to conduct research at JAX.
What are you most excited about?
I am so excited about the state-of-art equipment, world-class mouse models, patient biomethods training and very caring staff at JAX.
Finish the sentence: “In 10 years, I want to…”
In 10 years, I want to start my own research group at a university to combine preclinical and clinical models to treat cancer metastasis using the next generation of immunotherapy. The Ph.D. training at JAX will be the most critical step to make my dream come true.
Yu-Chieh Chen
Before joining the UConn Health Ph.D. program in Biomedical Science, Yu-Chieh Chen (he/him) earned an undergraduate degree in Medical Science at National Tsing Hua University.
Why did you choose the Biomedical Science Ph.D. program at UConn Health?
I believe JAX's specialization in Genetics and Genomics and its collaborative research environment with UConn will provide valuable networking opportunities and research experience.
What are you most excited about?
I'm most excited about my Ph.D. research project in the Hinson lab, exploring the potential of genomic tools to tackle cardiomyopathies.
Finish the sentence: “In 10 years, I want to…”
In 10 years, I want to develop comprehensive research skills as a productive and motivated researcher.
Cullen Clairmont
Cullen Clairmont (he/him) majored in Brain and Cognitive Science at Massachusetts Institute of Technology prior to entering the UConn Health MD-PhD program.
Why did you choose the MD-PhD program at UConn Health?
One of the most attractive aspects of the dual degree program at the UConn SoM was its close relationship with JAX Genomic Medicine (JAX-GM). I had been familiar with JAX® Mice but was happy to learn that there was a JAX research institute in Connecticut with a mission to leverage modern genomic technologies to advance medicine and improve patient outcomes. Now, as a physician-scientist in training, JAX-GM has been a terrific fit for my scientific training and career aspirations.
What are you most excited about?
I'm most excited to take advantage of all the expertise at JAX. In a short time, I have gained substantial technical skills from the researchers in the scientific service cores at JAX-GM. I look forward to traveling to JAX Bar Harbor soon to learn more about modeling human cancer using mice. Most of all, I am excited to learn about modern single cell, genomic, and epigenomic techniques as a part of my own professional development and as a way to take my research project to the next level.
Finish the sentence: “In 10 years, I want to…”
In 10 years, I want to start a clinical fellowship with dedicated research time. Although I am unsure about which specialty I will choose, I have enjoyed learning about pediatric oncology from my supervisors, Dr. Ching Lau and Dr. Joanna Gell, as I pursue my own research project in this field. I hope that my clinical practice and laboratory research will be closely entwined, so that one day my research can help my patients.
Hannah Dewey
Now a student in the Mammalian Genetics track of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Tufts University School of Medicine, Hannah Dewey (she/her) earned an undergraduate degree in Mathematics from the University of Maine, a M.S. in Applied Mathematics at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a M.Sc. in Bioinformatics and Computational Genomics from Queens University Belfast.
Why did you choose the Mammalian Genetics @ JAX Track Ph.D. program?
The program seemed like a good fit for my interest in complex polygenic disease.
What are you most excited about?
I am excited about working with a variety of scientists that I haven’t worked with previously.
Finish the sentence: “In 10 years, I want to…”
In 10 years, I want to continue to learn about science, be a force of good in the community, and hopefully still play the French horn.
Sadik Karma
After earning an undergraduate degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology at Johns Hopkins University, Sadik Karma (he/they) joined the MD-PhD program at UConn Health.
Why did you choose the MD-PhD program at UConn Health?
I want to become a surgeon-scientist in the future, and this program will provide me with the tools needed to have a fulfilling career.
What are you most excited about?
I am excited to explore new science and get to know my fellow lab mates!
Finish the sentence: “In 10 years, I want to…”
I want to be at a beach somewhere tropical drinking a pina colada with a good book :) …but in reality, I'll likely be performing surgery or something. Also, once I am "up there," free gender affirming care to whoever wants it (during work hours though!)
Lauren Lepeak
Before joining the Neuroscience & Neurogenetics track of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Ph.D. program at Tufts University School of Medicine, Lauren Lepeak (she/her) earned an undergraduate degree in Neuroscience and a master’s degree in pharmacology at University of Vermont.
Why did you choose the Neuro @ JAX Track Ph.D. program?
I was extremely interested in the research that the PIs were doing at JAX, as well as the opportunities and resources that the Laboratory offers. The location of Bar Harbor was just as important; I loved the idea of being able to do amazing research in a beautiful location.
What are you most excited about?
I am most excited to work with different students, researchers, and PIs in areas of science I have not been exposed to while also expanding my knowledge in fields I have a background in.
Finish the sentence: “In 10 years, I want to…”
In 10 years, I want to be continuing research as a neuroscientist and seeing the advances that the field is making.
Avinash Mahajan
Avinash Mahajan (he/him) completed an undergraduate degree in Pharmacy at SRM Institute of Science and Technology in India prior to joining the doctoral program at UConn Health.
Why did you choose the Biomedical Science Ph.D. program at UConn Health?
The graduate program offered me the liberty to explore my interests in several departments and, most importantly, to learn and apply computational methods even though I had no prior experience. Additionally, The Jackson Laboratory is a highly reputed institution in the field of human genomics, and to be able to train from exceptional scientists at such an organization was one of my top priorities while applying to graduate programs. I believe that the Ph.D. program at JAX focuses on welcoming students from diverse backgrounds and providing them with a well-rounded and comprehensive training to become competent scientists.
What are you most excited about?
I am most excited about the collaborative research culture at JAX. To work with people of varying expertise has been extremely helpful in advancing my research. Moreover, engaging in research talks with the world leaders in science has been a fulfilling endeavor and has enhanced my comprehension of the scientific field.
Finish the sentence: “In 10 years, I want to…”
In 10 years, I want to be proficient and highly skillful as a scientist. With this, I aim to be in a position where I can have a positive impact on society.
Lizzie Pizzi
Lizzie Pizzi (she/her) majored in Neuroscience at Bates College before entering the Neuroscience & Neurogenetics track of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Ph.D. program at Tufts University School of Medicine.
Why did you choose the Neuro @JAX Track Ph.D. program?
I chose this Ph.D. program because of the unique collaborative and innovative environment that is fostered at JAX, as well as the incredible location in Bar Harbor.
What are you most excited about?
I am most excited to explore new scientific areas and techniques.
Finish the sentence: “In 10 years, I want to…”
In 10 years, I want to continue to pursue my scientific interests in preclinical research and serve as a positive leader in the scientific community.
Sakthi Rajendran
Before joining the doctoral program at UConn Health, Sakthi Rajendran (she/her) earned an undergraduate degree in Biotechnology at Anna University in India.
Why did you choose the Biomedical Science Ph.D. program at UConn Health?
What drew me to this program at UConn Health-JAX is its interdisciplinary approach. Genetics and Developmental Biology is a field that intersects with a wide range of other scientific disciplines, and this program encourages collaboration and exploration across those fields.
What are you most excited about?
I'm most excited about the opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research in my field as well as to hone my skills to become an independent, well-rounded scientist.
Finish the sentence: “In 10 years, I want to…”
In 10 years, I want to hold a prominent role in the field of biotechnology, leveraging my expertise to drive innovations in genetic therapies and treatments. I want to be at the forefront of translating research into practical solutions for improving human health.
Carly Rodriguez
Prior to joining the Neuroscience & Neurogenetics track of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Ph.D. program at Tufts University School of Medicine, Carly Rodriguez (she/her) earned an undergraduate degree in Neuroscience at Ursinus College.
Why did you choose the Neuro @ JAX Track Ph.D. program?
I am pursuing my Ph.D. because I want to be involved in biomedical research regarding complex neurological issues, but I also know that I do not intend to be in academia. The Neuro at JAX program will provide me with extensive exposure to a variety of work being done in this field as well as the opportunity to grow a diverse network for advancing my career that would not be possible at so many other institutions. I also value the emphasis JAX has on interdisciplinary learning, collaboration, and community engagement.
What are you most excited about?
I am so excited to be a part of the JAX community. In my experience thus far, everybody has been so willing to help others and seems genuinely interested in what others are doing. I’m hoping this will allow me to grow a lot as a researcher to help me have a better understanding of how to advance my career.
Finish the sentence: “In 10 years, I want to…”
I’m going to be honest that I am not quite sure what I want my life to look like in 10 years—which is a large part of the reason I am so excited to be a part of this program because I know I will learn a lot about myself and this industry. I am interested in scientific communication and bridging the gap between what happens in the lab and its implementation into the community, so I envision myself working to aid that in some capacity. I also really hope I’ll be in a position to adopt my first dog (a husky is the dream).
Abigail Schoeller
Abigail Schoeller (she/her) completed an undergraduate in Biological Sciences at North Carolina State University. She has joined the Mammalian Genetics Ph.D. program track of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Tufts University School of Medicine.
Why did you choose the Mammalian Genetics @ JAX track?
The program suits my interests in studying PIDs and mitochondrial DNA, and I love the resources available at JAX and the learning environment.
What are you most excited about?
Learning new techniques and getting to collaborate with new labs.
Finish the sentence: “In 10 years, I want to…”
In 10 years, I want to work in industry and still be a dog mom.