Among the first-year matriculating PhD students who participated in the 2023 Lab Coat Ceremony at the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai was Ashley Richardson, MSBS. In the following Q & A, Ms. Richardson, who is a graduate of the Master of Science in Biomedical Science program, discusses her experiences and aspirations, and why she chose to continue her education at Mount Sinai.
What brought you to Icahn Mount Sinai as a master’s student?
I thought Mount Sinai’s program was really unique because you had the opportunity to do a lot of research and also get clinical experience. At that time, I was deciding between two paths. I knew that I really loved research but I also considered going to medical school. I love that this program allowed me to explore both options. When I was here, I found it to be an amazing program. I had great mentors and the community was great, which inspired me to stay longer.
What were some of your achievements as a master’s student?
I was able to participate in EHOP (East Harlem Outreach Partnership), a student-run clinic at Mount Sinai and, as the Women’s Health Referrals Manager, I got very involved with the organization and the local community. I also worked in a research lab under Dr. Dusan Bogunovic and wrote my thesis paper on genetic susceptibility to Zika Virus infection.
What attracted you to this area of study?
I was attracted to immunology and microbiology because I had a really fabulous professor at the University of Villanova when I was completing my undergraduate degree. He taught us how to analyze research papers, how to truly understand the research that was happening, and how to critique them. At Mount Sinai, I’ve had great mentors who have further increased my interest in these areas.
Why a PhD in Biomedical Sciences?
I’m interested in knowing more about why some individuals respond differently to viral infections. Some people get seriously ill, while others only experience a minor infection. I’m curious about understanding the genetics that can lead to these differences. I hope to further my confidence and ability to lead research projects. I want to keep going forth to understand genetics. My previous skills are mostly in immunology, so I’m aiming to combine this with new knowledge about genetics.