Jadan Hand

Background

About Jadan Hand

Biologist 🧫| Spanish Speaker | Disability Activist 🪧 Fun fact about me: I'm from "History's Hometown", nestled in the beautiful Finger Lakes region of New York. My background makes up just one part of who I am, but without it I would never have found my passion for learning or for advocating for others. 🧬 My love for all things genetics was instilled in me at a young age through the encouragement of my parents, and continues to inform my interests today, and especially my academic pursuits. I am studying biology at Colgate University with the intention of becoming a genetic counselor in the future. As part of my interest in genetics, I have notable research experience. I spent the summer of 2022 working on the organic synthesis of molecules at Colgate. I spent this past summer studying the molecular development of C. elegans at Colgate as well. In addition to my interest in genetics, I have fostered a love for the Spanish language. I studied abroad in Madrid, Spain, living with a host family and attending CEU San Pablo for a semester. My hope is to one day implement my Spanish language skills as a genetic counselor to make the health care services I am providing more accessible. I am also a proud member of Sigma Delta Pi, and the current co-president of my university’s chapter. ‍ I have experience working as a Spanish language tutor both in 1:1 and group settings, and as a coordinator for a program implementing curriculum designed specifically to teach Spanish to elementary age children. I have a range of work experience. I am adept in customer service, from 6 years of work as a cashier and sales associate at Dickman Farms and Garden Center. I have extensive training as a community leader (resident assistant), which has prepared me for everything from crisis response to event planning. I am passionate about disability activism. I have had the honor to serve as leadership for Colgate Disability Activists at my university, where we are fighting to make disabled voices heard both on our campus, and in the world around us. As a person with an invisible disability, every day I am reminded of how ableism permeates the very framework of our society, but I am also reminded that there is so much we can do to fix it.