Pauline DiGianivittorio is a graduate research assistant and Ph.D. candidate in the cellular, molecular, and biomedical sciences (CMB) program at the University of Vermont’s Larner College of Medicine.
In the following blog post, she reflects on her journey to pursuing a career in biomedical research.
“It was at UVM, particularly under the mentorship of Matt Wargo, where I found a passion for understanding host-pathogen (bacterial) interactions.”
An Early-Stage Scientist
My name is Pauline DiGianivittorio and I grew up in New Jersey, where life lessons made me want to become a scientist and explore the unknown. I knew I wanted to be a scientist since I was small. I was always fascinated by the unknown and unanswered questions. I remember when I would continuously ask my parents why something worked the way it did, or even how something came into existence. Of course, as parents, they could only appease me so much. Which, in retrospect, is why I started to love science from an early age. I always joke with myself that it was either this or astronomy and astrophysics.
I attended the University of New England and graduated in 2017 with a bachelor’s degree in science, thinking at the time I wanted to be a physician. I next wanted to explore the world of scientific research, and so attended Thomas Jefferson University and graduated in 2019 with a master’s degree in science. Here, I researched mechanisms of spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SMBA), a motor neuron degenerative disease. I knew from this moment on that I wanted to be a researcher and a first-generation scientist, so I joined the CMB Ph.D. program at the Larner College of Medicine in the Fall of 2019.
A Passion for Pathogens
It was at UVM, particularly under the mentorship of Matthew Wargo, Associate Professor of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, where I found a passion for understanding host-pathogen (bacterial) interactions. My graduate research focuses specifically on the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa and how it can metabolize key host-derived sphingolipids, promoting the pathogen’s survival and virulence. Within this scope, my project focuses on (1) how Pseudomonas aeruginosa’s sphingolipid metabolizing capabilities can promote its phagocytic evasion from macrophages, and (2) how Pseudomonas aeruginosa behaves and responds (through changes in metabolism, biology, and virulence strategies) to numerous host-derived sphingolipids. The goal of this research, on an in-vitro level, is to further understand the pathogenesis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and its ability to exploit host-derived resources. The larger goal of this research is to find a druggable target to aid in stopping Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection.
There are many experiences that stand out in my doctoral program. Most of them all relate back to having a superb supporting network. This supportive network included not only faculty (in addition to my thesis committee), but also included, largely, the postdoctoral fellows and trainees, and other graduate students within the program. No matter when I needed them, they were always there to answer my many questions. Toward my senior years in the program, it was really the postdoctoral fellows who helped me never give up in the search for a job after grad school, as this can be quite a brooding process. Additionally, throughout my entire Ph.D. journey, my PI, Matt Wargo, was incredibly supportive. For this I will forever be grateful.
Postdoctoral Journey Beyond Vermont
To come full circle, I will be graduating this coming November of 2024 from the CMB program and will continue my scientific research training in host-pathogen interactions through a postdoc either at the University of Pennsylvania or the University of Delaware. Here, my research focus would be either on understanding how the microbiome regulates the immune response and how this is altered in disease states, or on understanding bacterial infection in cystic fibrosis. I want to enhance my training not only in science and grant writing, but also in teaching and mentoring. After this training, a large goal of mine is to become research faculty and run my own lab, mentoring undergraduate, graduate, and medical students in their scientific journey.
Besides research, some of my outside interests include reading Marvel comics, crafting (e.g., crocheting, sewing, making jewelry), trying new restaurants and food, golfing, and spending time with family and friends. I try to nurture my well-being when I can, as this substantially improves my daily motivation.
Learn more about Pseudomonas aeruginosa from the CDC
Learn more about the UVM Cellular, Molecular and Biomedical Sciences Program
