Q&A
with Kathryn Hodge ’05,
Scientific Technician I at
Fox Chase Cancer Center,
Philadelphia, Pa.

Kathryn Hodge graduated in 2005 and is now employed by the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, Pa., as a scientific technician. Fox Chase scientists and physicians have received numerous awards including the Nobel Prize.  photo: John Pankratz

Q.You graduated with departmental distinction in biology. Can you tell me about your senior honors project?

A. As a student, I completed a senior thesis/ departmental distinction project advised by Dr. Gerald Kreider of the Biology Department. My project was an immunological study of bacterial antibodies found in chicken eggs from various sources. I was specifically looking for the presence of antibodies against Salmonella
and E.coli. It was a great experience doing a laboratory research project with the help of a faculty member. The project gave me
the opportunity to take a scientific question, plan out the necessary laboratory experiments to research the question, gain hands-on experience in the lab setting, analyze the experimental results, and finally, write a scientific paper and present my findings. The project gave me a small insight into laboratory research, preparing me for a career in biomedical research.

Q. How did your academic experience at Albright prepare you
for your current position at Fox Chase Cancer Center?

A. Albright, throughout the academic departments, stressed critical thinking, which has been very useful at Fox Chase Cancer Center. Questions and the need to troubleshoot are always arising in the lab
setting. The ability to think through ideas has been very important. Albright also prepared me to work with people, whether it
be peers or persons at higher levels. Scientific labs are very interactive and communication is necessary.

Q.What does your job as Scientific Technician I entail?

A. My duties within the lab are many. We have numerous projects funded by grants, and I support these projects as needed by higher members of the lab. The experiments for two of the projects in particular have become my responsibility. I support other projects, running experiments as needed. Everyone in the lab contributes to
discussions regarding experimental results.

Q. As a woman, have you ever experienced any kind of gender discrimination either in school or in the work world?

A. I do not believe I have ever experienced any kind of gender discrimination. There are numerous women at work, as well as
female science students at Albright.

Q.What are your future plans?

A. I plan to work at Fox Chase Cancer Center through summer 2007. I will be applying to graduate school programs for fall 2007 for a master’s degree in a science field. Albright and Fox Chase have helped lead me towards my future goals.

Albright Successes…a
sampling of Albright’s
many notable alumnae currently working in the sciences.

Gretchen Bybel, M.D. ’84, Emergency Room Physician, Hahnemann Medical College
Martha C. Carlough, M.D., M.P.H. ’85, Reproductive Health Consultant, Interserve/United Mission to Nepal
Anna Marie Chwastiak, D.P.M. ’87, President and Executive Producer of Dr. Anna Marie Productions/Medical Journalist
Heidi F. Devlin, Ph.D. ’95, Postdoctoral Fellow, Jake Gittlen Cancer Research Institute, Penn State College of Medicine
Jacquelyn Fetrow, Ph.D. ’82, Reynolds Professor of Computational Biophysics, Wake Forest University
Sandie Groeber Koon, M.D. ’86, Pediatrician, John McGovern, M.D.
Leslie (Small) Hersh ’69, Associate Professor of Chemistry, Delta College
Janet (Fick) Hindler ’70, Senior Specialist, Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, University of California at Los Angeles Medical Center;
Fellow, American Academy of Microbiology
Kathleen C. (Carroll) Hittner, M.D. ’69, President and Chief Executive Officer, Miriam Hospital; Clinical Professor of Anesthesiology in Surgery, Brown University School of Medicine
Kathryn Hodge ’05, Scientific Technician I, Fox Chase Cancer Center
Elaine R. Lewis, M.D. ’77, Chief of Diagnostic Radiology, Reading Hospital and Medical Center
Dawn L. Orwick ’03, Staff Biologist, Safety Assessment, Department of Pathology, Merck & Co.
Laurie (Brigandi) Porter D.O. ’93, Otolaryngologist, Southern New Hampshire Medical Center
Patricia A. Southworth, M.D. ’72, Medical Director, Dr. Southworth’s Sports & Work Injury Clinic
Maryalice Stetler-Stevenson, Ph.D., M.D. ’75, Director, Laboratory of Pathology, National Cancer Institute, National Institute of Health
Kelli Jo Thesier ’00, Chiropractor, Carthage Family Chiropractic
Mindy (Lancaster) Trzcinski ’02, Physical Scientist, Federal Bureau of Investigation
Julia K. Terzis, M.D., Ph.D., FACS, FRCS ’65, Director, Microsurgical Program, Eastern Virginia Medical School; Professor, Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic Surgery, Eastern Virginia
Medical School
Anna N. (Gavin) Vioral, R.N. ’89, Oncology Clinical Education Specialist, Allegheny General Hospital
Charnita Zeigler-Johnson, Ph.D. ’92, Research Assistant Professor of Epidemiology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine