Amber Goerner is a master’s degree 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 from pathogen research to pursuing science in new ways.
“I am passionate about science, in part, due to the creativity that has come from a lifetime of crafting.”
Crafty Beginnings
My name is Amber Goerner and I am passionate about science in part due to the creativity that has come from a lifetime of crafting. Even from a young age, I have always enjoyed bringing ideas to life through art.
I started to crochet when I was in elementary school, and I learned while I was in an art class at the boys and girls club. Crochet uses a long single needle with a hook on the end and tends to be nice for free formed objects. I stopped for many years, but during my undergraduate degree I picked it back up and have done it ever since to destress and express myself. I have made stuffed animals, science-inspired pieces, and many blankets and clothes. I also love to paint…mostly my own cats, but also any animals. I am teaching myself to embroider now, and honestly, I will try any craft that comes my way.
I remember in middle school I would always build dioramas and sculptures for science class (and really any class that would let me). I have always enjoyed learning about science, but it was in sixth grade when I realized I could choose science for a career. I was in the science club at school, and was mentored by two amazing women, Mrs. Kent and Ms. Mitchel, who made science so much fun. We competed in the Science Olympiad competition that year, and the events allow you to build bridges, make complex machines or design Lego sculptures. It was this connection between science and artistic design that led me to science in the first place.
A Penchant for Parasites
From grade school, I continued into science through course work and then when I was in my undergraduate years, I learned of research and started participating immediately. Once I graduated, I earned a position in a Toxoplasma gondii lab, studying the chronic stage of the parasite and building a model to better study this stage. Coming to UVM, I have built on that work, but have shifted to focusing more on the role of the host in the chronic stage progression.
The goal of my research is to understand host pathogen interactions and how the parasite is able to maintain a lifelong infection in hosts. In the long-term, this work could lead to a better understanding of parasitic infections within the field, as well as revealing potential drug targets to improve global health burden.
The Inspiration for Microbial Crochet
I decided to make microbial creations because I study Toxoplasma gondii and wanted a cute little Toxoplasma buddy for my desk (we have many throughout our lab). I also made the art piece version as a gift for my principal investigator and mentor, Dr. Bruno Martorelli Di Genova, for his birthday one of the first years I was in the lab. It was his idea to hang it up! The next piece I made was a Covid-19 virus in Dr. Emily Bruce‘s lab, since I rotated with her lab during my first year at UVM and our labs have worked well together during my time here. I made their crochet hanging as a “welcome to the third floor” gift when they relocated right next to our lab. The other crocheted microbes are of the bacteria Salmonella and Brucella, which were also welcome presents for Dr. Leigh Knodler and Dr. Jean Celli when they joined UVM. The DNA piece was made as a prize for the CMB retreat last year, and Pauline DiGianivittorio won it for her work on a booth about the work she does in her lab! I think my favorite must be the Toxoplasma gondii piece, as I have studied this parasite both here at UVM, and during my time at the University of South Florida before coming to Vermont. It has a special place in my heart and brain. (This is a joke because it lives in the brain of people infected with the parasite).
After my defense, I will be graduating with my master’s degree at the end of August and am excited to continue studying science in new ways. I am currently on the job hunt, looking for positions in research, as well as science communication roles. I would love to work in a science museum where I would make content for the community, and it would be so fulfilling if my love of art along with science could merge into this new role.
Learn more about Toxoplasma gondii from the CDC
Learn more about the UVM Cellular, Molecular and Biomedical Sciences Program
Read about Goerner’s participation in the UVM Graduate College’s 3-Minute Thesis Competition
