Magowan, Piper
Current Institution: University of Mary Hardin – Baylor
Hometown: Temple, Texas
Fields of Interest:
Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Genetics
Microbial Genetics
Medical Genetics- Human and Animal
When and how did you realize that you wanted to study Genetics & Genomics?
I realized that I wanted to study Genetics and Genomics after taking the genetics course offered at my university in my sophomore year and beginning to work closely with my genetics professor, Dr. Andrea Jensen. I worked as Dr. Jensen’s lab assistant for three semesters until my graduation, as well as began my senior research project on gene isolation via ISA Brown eggshells with her. Having the opportunity to work with a professor who was so passionate about genetics expanded my knowledge of genetics and genomics beyond my course curriculum and made me truly realize how genetics impacts every topic in the field of biology. It felt natural after this to want to continue my education within Genetics and Genomics.
Why did you choose the Genetics & Genomics Ph.D. program at A&M?
I chose the Genetics & Genomics Ph.D. program at Texas A&M due to its community. When I attended the recruitment symposium for this program in February, I was simply blown away by the community Texas A&M’s GGEN program has carefully cultivated. I have never seen a more encouraging and livelier environment in academia, as well as a place that focuses more on collaboration rather than competition. I felt that the professors in this program genuinely care about their students, and the current students were the happiest Ph.D. students I have ever seen! After I left College Station, I wanted to join the Genetics & Genomics Ph.D. program more than anything. It was a no brainer when I got the offer!
If you were free to choose anything, what research question/topic would you like to address for your graduate studies?
If I could choose anything to research, I would choose to study phycocyanin and ways to improve its efficacy in vivo. Phycocyanin is an interesting molecule tied to capturing light in the photosynthetic processes within cyanobacteria. I have read a lot about phycocyanin being used as a cancer therapeutic with great success in destroying malignant tumors with minimal cytotoxicity to host cells in vitro. However, phycocyanin has varying success in vivo due to denaturation from higher temperatures or the varying pH levels in the body, which makes it a good target for research!
Fun Facts:
Do you have any hidden talents? If so, what are they.
I will turn any common word or phrase into a song lyric and start singing. It’s less of a talent and more of a curse, as it sometimes feels completely involuntary!
Do you have any pets? If so, please tell us about them.
I have one pet! His name is Paco, and he is a chihuahua my family and I rescued 11 years ago now. He is about 13 years old, and hands-down the weirdest pet we’ve ever lived with. He is an anxiety-ridden, agoraphobic dog that needs constant attention and will beg relentlessly for pizza crust and french fries. Despite his quirks, I love him very much and will miss him moving to College Station! If you ever bump into me, please ask me about him!
