Alumni
Profiles of Success
Jennifer Leohr
Associate Molecular and Cellular Biologist
Eli Lilly & Co.
BS Biology 1997, Purdue
As Jennifer Leohr watched her grandmother fall victim to Alzheimer's disease, she knew that she wanted to discover a cure to this horrible condition. "I didn't want anyone to have to experience watching a loved one's mind slip away until they could no longer remember how to chew or control their bodily functions," she states. Though only a middle school student at the time, the circumstances had sparked her interest in molecular biology. Later, a high school course in genetics solidified Jennifer's career path. "I remember being captivated by the various diseases that are caused by changes in our DNA," she says. "I knew that this was something I wanted to be involved with."
Jennifer got a taste of research at an early age. The summer after her junior year in high school she took part in a scholarship program at the University of Minnesota. "We derived corn from a single cell, saw the first "gene gun" that transfected DNA into eukaryotic cells, and attempted to clone a gene from the corn genome," says Jennifer. "The experience was amazing." After high school she went on to pursue a degree in Biology at Purdue. Completing her B.S. in 1997, she was offered an internship from Monsanto in St. Louis. "This internship not only taught me valuable techniques, but also allowed me to see what pharmaceutical research was like," she comments. In fact, the experience was so positive that it convinced her to pursue a job in industry.
Today Jennifer's childhood dream is a reality. She is now employed full-time in pharmaceutical research, working as a molecular and cellular biologist in the Endocrinology department of Eli Lilly and Company. In her position she works to understand what happens to cause a particular disease. She then determines what genes can be modified so that the disease can either be corrected or managed. "After determining this," Jennifer further explains, "we clone these genes for assays to sort through thousands of compounds in order to find ones that can alter the disease without causing changes in any other systems."
Outside of the lab, Jennifer volunteers her time in the community. In one such project, she brings science to the classroom, volunteering to teach a section on Genetics at three local elementary schools each year. "I have found that kids learn by doing and the more fun they have the more they learn." Along with introducing the basic principles of genetics, Jennifer makes a candy DNA model and extracts DNA from vegetables and fruits. She also recently returned to campus to revisit the Purdue classroom. As a guest speaker for BIOL 195, she spoke to current students about her position at Lilly.
Purdue provided a strong foundation for Jennifer's work. "There were some really great courses at Purdue that didn't just test your understanding on what was taught, but applied that information to situations," says Jennifer. "This was the best training for my job." Lab techniques are definitely important, but it is crucial that students understand the biology behind the experiments. "The answers we look for aren't in books," she comments. "They are revealed in the experiments that we design." Jennifer found her Purdue course in Organic Chemistry to be beneficial in developing her problem solving skills. "The things we work on, there is no understanding of the mechanism of action. We have to be innovative in our thoughts and approaches. This means taking what we have learned and applying it to different situations. This type of problem solving is really critical for success."
Jennifer put these analytical skills to use while studying at Purdue by working as a research assistant 20-30 hours a week. She recommends that students seize the opportunity to conduct research outside of class to make sure they truly enjoy it. "Unlike in the lab courses, things don't work all the time," she explains. Jennifer further encourages students to be proactive with their courses. "In a room of 300-400 people, it is easy to feel a little overwhelmed," she remembers. "I didn't realize until later that the teachers are here at Purdue because they want to teach and see you do well. They don't mind if you stop by and ask questions." She also suggests that students take the time to interact with people from different backgrounds. "It is important to get to know and understand other cultures that you will be exposed to."
"Research is an exciting but also aggravating experience," she tells students. "It takes a certain personality to be patient for those perfect moments when everything comes together." But for Jennifer, those moments are worth the wait. The realization that her research may one day improve or cure a particular disease state makes her work extremely satisfying. "I think this is the most important thing in life…," she concludes, "to be humanistic and to have compassion."
Eli Lilly and Company employs over 41,000 people worldwide. To learn about
career opportunities visit:
www.lilly.com