Alumni Spotlight on Jamie Mara

Jamie Mara is an MS-RSM graduate, Class of 2020. She completed the thesis track under the mentorship of Francesca Duncan, PhD. Jamie is currently in her third year of medical school at Rosalind Franklin University. 

Thesis mentor: Francesca Duncan, PhD 

Thesis title: Ovulation and ovarian wound healing are impaired with advanced reproductive age 

What is your connection to the CRS community (mentor and position) and what is your current position? 

I completed the Master’s in Reproductive Science program in 2020. As a thesis-track student, I investigated the dynamics of ovulation and ovarian wound healing in the context of reproductive aging under Francesca Duncan, PhD. After graduating, I started medical school at Rosalind Franklin University. 

Could you describe your current research/studies? 

I’m currently in my third year of medical school at Rosalind Franklin University and am about to finish my first clinical rotation, Internal Medicine. The rest of the year I’ll be doing my core rotations and will take my second board examination next summer. I’m not actively involved in research at the moment, but last summer I studied antenatal testing with Dopplers and delivery outcomes for pregnant patients with umbilical vein varix. 

What aspect(s) of CRS did you find most valuable?  

I think one of the most valuable aspects was the community. Many people are interested in science or medicine, but reproductive science and medicine is its own niche. It was so important to learn and conduct research with a group of people who were enthusiastic and dedicated to the same field as myself. 

What has been the most valuable aspect to your training as a reproductive scientist in CRS? 

I think the most valuable aspect to my training was learning how to communicate science in different ways. Francesca was an outstanding mentor and she helped me learn how to  take information and data and create an accessible, engaging presentation from it. She also helped me identify a strength I didn’t know I had, scientific writing. When I completed my master’s after a year and a half, I had 2 first author publications. Those publications, along with the discovery and refinement of a new skill were indispensable to my training. 

What would you recommend to junior scientists in order for them succeed in their scientific careers?​  

Show yourself grace. Good science takes time as does learning your strengths, weaknesses, and what you really enjoy doing.  

What do you think will be the next big contribution in the reproductive biology field?  

I’m not sure what the next big contribution will be, but I think with the overturning of Roe v. Wade, advances in reproductive biology will undoubtedly face new challenges. Institutions like the CRS are going to have to play a large role in advocating for research so that advancements can continue to be made. 

Do you have any notable stories from your time in CRS? 

One of my favorite memories was speaking at the Illinois Symposium on Reproductive Science. I was thrilled (and nervous) to be selected to give an oral presentation, and the entire Duncan lab really supported me and cheered me on.