CRS Scientist Spotlight on Asma Giornazi

Asma Giornazi is an alumna of the MS-RSM program, Class of 2022. She is currently a Research Project Coordinator in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Northwestern.

What brought you to join the CRS community and what is your current position? 

I initially joined CRS when I was in the MS-RSM program for the 2021-2022 cohort. I am currently a Research Project Coordinator within the Northwestern OBGYN department working with Francesca Duncan, PhD, and Mary Ellen Pavone, MD. 

Could you describe your research?

My job is to act as the bridge between the clinic and research. I consent patients to be a part of current research studies and assist with the collection process for varying samples depending on the needs for the projects. I work with a number of departments, clinicians, medical staff and research labs in order to make sample collection happen. I ensure everything that involves patients in any capacity is up to regulations with the Institutional Review Board. Additionally, I assist the research techs on experimental procedures and data analysis. 

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

The most valuable aspect of CRS would have to be the community that has been established. Between the local community and external members, you can meet new individuals that you otherwise would not have the opportunity to.  

What has been the most valuable aspect of your training as a reproductive scientist?

Being able to engage and collaborate with different departments or experts has been invaluable. It is nice to see your work closely aligned with the field in the sense that reproductive science is confined to solely the reproductive tract but also how the whole body interacts and relies on these organs. I am able to work with the different departments and experts to help places the puzzles pieces that contribute to the overarching picture. 

What is one piece of advice you would give to young scientists starting their journey in science?  

Don’t be afraid to reach out and have conversations with individuals to gauge the depths of their career. Also, take opportunities even if you may be on the fence about them. It shows that you are willing to put yourself out there and push yourselves outside of your comfort zone and you may discover something that you thoroughly enjoy that you may not have otherwise. 

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

AI has been something that has been dabbled with within the field but once that becomes more standardized, I do believe that we will be able to learn a plethora of information from a single image or set of labs/experiments. 

What hobbies do you have outside of the lab? 

I enjoy staying active, whether that is biking, snowboarding, lifting or doing martial arts. I also love doing arts and crafts that express who I am.