Alyssa Werner

Background

About Alyssa Werner

I received my Bachelor of Science in biochemistry with minors in medical physics, psychology, and biology from the University of Denver in 2017. I am currently a biochemistry PhD candidate at the University of Arizona with plans to defend in October 2023. In my time at the UofA, I have also completed the Graduate Certificate in Science Communications where I focused on scientific writing and science journalism (a writing sample for UofA's Catalyst magazine can be found here: https://issuu.com/uachembioc/docs/ua-cbc-catalystonline-2021_final3). I have also contributed to the publications of two academic journal articles (https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01631 and https://doi.org/10.1091/mbc.E22-06-0236) and am in the process of publishing two first-author articles. I am interested in science communications and scientific writing as a way to bring scientific understanding beyond those with advanced degrees. My main interests lie in biology and medicine. In my time working on my PhD at the University of Arizona, I have mentored many graduate and undergraduate researchers. I have also received the highest teaching promotion level for my work in teaching in the undergraduate chemistry curriculum. I have received trainee funding from the National Institutes of Health as part of a T-32 training grant as well as several awards for my work including the David F. O'Brien fellowship, which honors my research work and the communication of my work. Besides my work in science, I am a gymnastics coach and am part of the management and leadership team as the XCEL Team Coordinator at the Tucson location of Arizona Dynamics Gymnastics. In that role, I coach competitive gymnastics, as well as manage a staff of other coaches, communicate with our customers, and coordinate the competitive program for about 55 gymnasts every year.