Interview with a Scientist: Susan Kuo and Jennifer Broderick

By Phipps Conservatory

If there is one segment of society that is often misunderstood, it is people who work in science fields. Public perception of scientists tends to lean towards lab coats, crazy hair, and beakers full of chemicals, especially in the eyes of children. In reality, most scientists are just regular people who want to make the world a better place through scientific discovery. The best way to dispel the myth that scientists are boring or crazy is to get to know them; the purpose of this segment is to talk with real scientists to ask them what they love about their jobs and why they think their work is fun and important.

This weekend we will be featuring our Fall 2015 Science Communication fellows, Susan Kuo and Jennifer Broderick, at our "Meet a Scientist" public program. The Science Communication Fellowship program at Phipps seeks to bring scientists and public audiences together in face-to-face public interactions that promote appreciation and understanding of current scientific research and its application. As part of this programming, Phipps will be holding a monthly "Meet a Scientist" public program, beginning this Saturday, September 19th from 1:30 until 2:30 PM in the Tropical Forest Palm Circle, where visitors can engage with our science communication fellows and learn all about their research and occupations and even see the very instruments and equipment utilized everyday by scientists. Let's get to know the fellows!

Science Communication Fellow, Susan Kuo

Hello!  My name is Susan Kuo and I am training to become a clinical psychologist at the University of Pittsburgh.  I am one of many scientists trying to figure out why we, as humans, can behave so differently from each other.  Knowing about the causes of our behavior can help us understand ourselves better and help individuals whose behaviors or mental illnesses make it harder for them to live their lives to the fullest, including making friends, holding a job, and starting a family.  In particular, I am interested in looking at how our genetic and environmental effects can contribute to differences in brain form and function, which may relate to how individuals with or without schizophrenia behave differently. 

Why did you become a scientist?

I became a scientist because I witnessed my aunt's struggle with mental illness when I was growing up. I saw how much her life changed because of her disorder, and realized that there was still so much left to discover in order to help people struggling as she was.  Schizophrenia in particular can bring a unique and sometimes scary experience of the world, and I wanted to help individuals who find it hard to live with schizophrenia experience the world in a way that brings them the same potential for happiness as it does for others.

What skills do you use in your job?

I am always asking questions, searching for answers, and coming up with my own ideas about why things are the way they are.  My natural curiosity about the world happens to be more than a personality trait; it drives my day to day work as a scientist. As a PhD student, I am sharpening up skills from thinking in a logical way about abstract concepts to doing more concrete things such as planning studies.

What is your favorite part of your job?

My job allows me to learn something new every day and see how it can build upon a foundation for important discoveries in the future. What could be more exciting than the potential of discovering something new that no one has known before or re-discovering something that can be used today in a new way?

If you weren't a scientist, what would you be?

If I wasn't a research scientist, I would be a clinical psychologist.  This is one of the awesome aspects of my work; I can conduct research and work with clients in psychological therapy and assessment.  My work with individuals with schizophrenia in a clinic or hospital inspires me to consider more questions that remain to be answered about the causes and treatment of schizophrenia.  Recently, I have become involved in a promising treatment called Cognitive Enhancement Therapy, developed right here at the University of Pittsburgh to help individuals with schizophrenia improve their thinking to improve their quality of life. 

Why is science education important?

Learning about science is crucial because it allows us to satisfy our innate thirst to better understand why we are the way we are.  The more we know about our world and how it works, the more we can take meaningful actions that can truly maximize and maintain our experiences in it.

Science Communication Fellow, Jennifer Broderick

Hi, my name is Jennifer Broderick and I’m a Ph.D. candidate at Duquesne University. I’ve lived in the Pittsburgh area my entire life and earned my B.S. at Robert Morris University in 2013. In my free time I love to spend time outdoors by walking my dogs through the woods and kayaking.  Currently, I’m in the Janecka Lab which studies big cat populations and evolution. I’m interested in better understanding what makes different subspecies of tigers unique. These different tigers live in very different climates and habitats, which leads to differences in their DNA we can use to better understand them.

Why did you become a scientist? 

I’m a naturally curious person who loves learning, and I have always wanted to help people in my career. I’m lucky in that science lets me do both! Through studying and solving problems in the lab I can potentially help others, and as a graduate teaching assistant I get to help others learn as well.

What is the most exciting thing you’ve ever done at work?

I think the most exciting thing I’ve done so far is to have the opportunity to work with various zoos to acquire samples. This summer I attended the Felid TAG meeting, which is the group that works directly to manage and conserve not only tigers, but all cats! It was amazing to see so many people in different professions who were so passionate about conservation and better understanding these amazing animals.

What skills do you use in your job?

Science is very dynamic, and performing actual lab work is only a small part of my job. I use communication skills when I write and present my work to other scientists, collaborators, and the public. I also use communication skills when I teach undergraduates in our lab or the classroom. Analytical and computer skills (bioinformatics) are also important when we get our data back to find out what our results actually mean.  

What is your favorite part of your job?

My favorite part of my job is learning. Besides learning and discovering things for myself, I love to tell other people about my research and help them learn more about the subject. I also enjoy teaching and mentoring undergraduates in our lab and in the classroom. Oftentimes, these people share with me what they know as well and I learn things I didn’t know previously.

If you weren’t a scientist, what would you be?

If I wasn’t a scientist I would have wanted to go into psychiatric medicine. I’ve always been interested in how others think and perceive the world differently from me and how that influences their behavior, especially when a problem arises. I also think this field has a great opportunity to help people, especially as we understand more about how the brain works.

Why is science education important?

Science education is important because it allows us to better understand the world and solve problems. It lets us ask ‘why’, ‘how’, and ‘when’ in our daily lives. By better understanding science, we also have the ability to impact others in a meaningful way. Science impacts health and medicine, business, and all of the newly developing technology. The more people who know about science and new innovations, the more we can combat many of the problems we face today.

If you'd like to learn more about our Science Communication fellows and their work stop by the Tropical Forest Palm Circle on Saturday, September 19th from 1:30 until 2:30 PM for our "Meet a Scientist" Public Program.

Photographs provided by Science Communciation Fellows.