Welcome Kathryn Brewer, rotation student

Posted by Mariasanta Mangione on Monday, January 7, 2019 in Uncategorized.

We are excited to start off the new year welcoming rotation student Kathryn Brewer! Kathryn is in her first year of the Vanderbilt IGP program. She will be working under the mentorship of post-doc Alaina Willet for the next two months.

We asked Kathryn a few questions to get to know her:

Tell us about your academic journey before starting at Vanderbilt.
I got my bachelor’s degree in chemistry at the University of Kansas. There I was exposed to research through the Beckman Scholarship, and fell completely in love with proteins! Seriously I love everything about them. 🙂

What type of research are you considering for your graduate work?
I am considering two options: either continue to work with protein structural biology like I did in my undergrad, learning the intricate details of its molecular arrangement and function, or branch out into cell biology, where I can examine proteins on a slightly wider scale and consider how they fit into their biological system.

What made you interested in the Gould lab?
This second option is actually what led me to the Gould lab. I want to learn techniques outside of my limited biochemistry tool belt and expand my intellectual scope beyond a single protein and into a system.

You’re new to Nashville! What is your favorite thing about Nashville so far? Any tips for other newcomers or people just visiting the city?
My favorite thing about Nashville is that it doesn’t feel like a city at all! It’s pretty easy to get around and has a much more relaxed feel about it than I was expecting. For visitors, I would recommend trying out the Donut and Dog over on Belcourt Ave and 21st! They sell the best donuts and hot dogs in town, and seriously, that’s all they sell.