Women’s Health Research & Innovation Scholarship

In the Wistar Insitute’s Life Science and Innovation Course, I presented a pitch for a biotechnology kit designed to diagnose early-stage ectopic pregnancy. The condition remains to be a significant unmet need in women’s health. While judges commended the presentation, our pitch was not selected for investment. They explained the reason was limited market reach.Crestfallen, I sought feedback, and my mentor responded, “It’s no coincidence your product to serve women was declined by a panel lacking them.” I have been captivated by modern biotechnology’s ability to advance current medicines throughout my academic journey. During my undergraduate career, I investigated escape mechanisms of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) to conjure a method to hinder their metastatic behavior. Through my Columbia Summer Internship, I researched adaptive immune cell activation pathways to determine the therapeutic potential for Lupus patients. Now at the University of Pennsylvania, I focus on engineering adaptive T cells to enhance their ability to locate, target, and eliminate selected pathogens. My various research experiences introduced therapeutic potential in utilizing biological mechanisms. Yet, what surprised me more than scientific development would be the gaps in women’s health. TNBC disproportionately affects African-American women, contributing to a 30% higher mortality rate. Unfortunately, TNBC is less responsive to traditional breast cancer treatments and higher recorruence. At Columbia hospital, I learned Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease that disproportionately impacts young women,with most women being diagnosed between 15 and 44. Once I transitioned into UPenn, I decided to incorporate my research into a versatile platform that can address these medical gaps in women’s health. My work in T cell engineering aims to create an immuntheraputic applicable to different disease burdens. With refinement, immunotheraputics can surpass covential therapies with its durability, efficacy, and reduced systemic burden. My mentor, supporting my aspirations, directed me to take the Life Science and Innovation course to learn more about drug development. The course taught me how innovation such as immunotherapties undergo a pipline for patenting, manufacturing, and distribution to reach patients. Yet, once more I was struck about the women’s health disparities through the course as well: women’s conditions remain understudied and deemed a lower priority. The lack of emphasis on women’s health is componded by the underrpresentation of women in biotech development because promising therapies to address these issues are struggling to garner support. My pitch presentation serves as a lesson, cemented a resolve seek solutions in women’s health. Following my course experience, I discovered that Black women represent only 9% of the STEM workforce, with even fewer in leadership positions. My research journey demonstrated many current diseases seeking improved rememdies, yet it requires a women’s leadership to direct therapeutic development. Consequently,I decided to pursue an authorative positon to drive innovation specific to women disease burdens. At the University of Pennsylvannia, I aim to get my Immunology PhD and make my mark into the biotechnology field to create a better future for women.