Program Coordinator 2022

Stephanie Ridley

My name is Stephanie and I'm a class of 2021 graduate of Hampton University. I studied Biological Sciences with the hope of going into medical school. However, after shadowing and taking more courses, I realized that I enjoyed science research. I then became a Ronald McNair Scholar which assisted me in conducting more hands-on projects. During my time at Hampton, I helped conduct research projects ranging from renal cancer with an emphasis on health disparities to marine microbiology. After graduation, I participated in an NIH-funded post-baccalaureate research program at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst (UMass-Amherst PREP). While at UMass-Amherst, I conducted research in the Department of Microbiology where I worked on ways to better understand proteins involved in the cell wall synthesis of a non-pathogenic bacteria known as Mycobacterium smegmatis. To be more specific, we hope to translate our findings to Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of tuberculosis, to use said proteins as drug targets for drug-resistant infections. Outside of the classroom, I enjoyed volunteering at the local daycare on campus as well as being a resident assistant for the summer pre-college program at my school; eventually, I transitioned to working as an R.A. during the school year as well. Furthermore, I enjoy admiring art and fashion, trying new foods, and traveling. Throughout my time at Hampton and beyond, I became interested in infectious disease, public health, translational/clinical research, and science policy. This fall I will be a first-year student in the fully funded Molecular and Cell Biology Ph.D. program at UMass-Amherst. I have always enjoyed mentoring and working with children and students, so I am elated to be joining the Project Success team as the Program Coordinator this summer!