Our NCI P01 program project has been renewed for 5 more years, and the UF Health Cancer Center recently featured the story in their Connection newsletter. Read the full story here. 

Here's to 5 more years! 

Renne Lab Biological Scientist, Savannah Hardiman, was invited to speak at the North Marion High School (NMHS) Career Day on February 17, 2022. Ms. Reedy, her former high school science teacher and mentor, extended the opportunity to educate her biology and biotechnology classes about what a career in the sciences is like. It also served as an opportunity to encourage the students that a career path in science is achievable, as NMHS is in an underserved community.

Savannah spoke with students at length about steps  taken to achieve her goal, what being a scientist is really like, and the different avenues available to students who like the sciences, but don’t find a traditional scientist position attractive. She fielded questions about the Renne Lab’s work, what going to school and working at UF is like, provided insight into  the average day in an academic research lab, and the differences between academic, clinical, and industrial science.

The biotechnology students were especially happy to speak with her. As the first NMHS student to pass the credentialing exam, they asked her several questions about how the biotechnologist credentials could assist them with their goals of becoming scientists. Several students asked Ms. Reedy if Savannah would return for any technical demonstrations or future talks. While that is to be determined, she said she would gladly return if the opportunity arose.

Soleil graduated with her MS in Medical Sciences in Summer 2020, and completed a Graduate Certificate from the UF Biotechnology Center. Soleil has decided to temporarily stay on with the lab as a Lab Assistant, and will soon be lead author on a paper!  

Melissa completed her degree in Biochemistry and Mathematics this Spring, and will be starting her PhD in Immunology and Molecular Pathogenesis at Emory University with a Centennial Scholar Fellowship this Fall! We miss you already!