Hannah Strobel

Background

About Hannah Strobel

I am a scientist and scientific writer with experience in microbiology, molecular biology, and protein biology. As a doctoral student at UC San Diego, I pioneered research that explored the molecular underpinnings of a virus evolving to recognize and bind to a new cellular receptor. I learned diverse molecular biology techniques, including PCR, Sanger sequencing, DNA purification, cloning, transformation, miniprep, protein expression, protein purification, SDS-PAGE, protein characterization, and electron microscopy. Because I was the first to bring many of these techniques into my PhD lab, I learned concrete strategies for troubleshooting new assays and finding solutions when experiments did not go as planned. I also developed a meticulous habit of documenting my research and managing data. I was also incredibly lucky to have a PhD mentor who really invested in my training as a scientific communicator, and together we wrote a review paper for the Annual Review of Virology summarizing the current state of knowledge about variables that affect the evolvability of viral host-range expansion. In writing that review paper and also preparing my dissertation research for publication, I discovered that I love writing about science. In the next phase of my career, I hope to explore scientific writing and scientific support roles while still remaining engaged in exciting science.