Georgetown College. Georgetown University.

Gillian Fell chose a M.D./Ph.D. program for graduate school because it enabled her to continue building her research skills. (Courtesy Gillian Fell)

By Megan Weintraub

Studying pediatric oncology is a dream that Gillian Fell, currently a medical student in the M.D./Ph.D. program at Harvard Medical School, has harbored since she was in high school. It is thus understandable that her tours of college campuses always included a stop in the Department of Biology. During her visit to Georgetown, Fell recognized immediately that she could expect a superior education and unrivaled encouragement of her academic and professional goals from Assistant Professor of Biology Anne Rosenwald.

“We walked into Dr. Rosenwald’s lab, and she put down her work to come and speak with us about the biology program at Georgetown,” says Fell, recounting her first meeting with the professor. “At no other college visit did I have such a positive experience, and in no other biology department was there a professor so generous with her time that she would willingly speak with a high school student who had not even applied yet.”

While a student at Georgetown, Fell’s motivation to examine science’s modern mysteries on a molecular level led her to work in Dr. Rosenwald’s lab, where she focused on identifying genes involved in regulating potassium balance in the model organism Saccharomyces cerevisiae (commonly known as baker’s yeast). As a result of her diligence, Fell was often invited to participate in presentations of her scientific work at conferences and to co-author scholarly papers.

“Dr. Rosenwald was most generous in providing opportunities for me that undergraduates very rarely experience,” she says. “As a result, I gained both enrichment that researchers at an undergraduate level never receive and important preparation in presenting scientific research that has been invaluable in graduate school.”

Fell’s Ph.D. thesis research looks at the molecular basis of systemic effects of radiation exposure in cancer patients with the hope of eventually targeting and preventing the undesired effects of this treatment. Following Dr. Rosenwald’s advice, Fell decided to pursue a combined M.D./Ph.D. degree that will allow her to capitalize on the research skills she learned in Dr. Rosenwald’s lab and her strong interest in improving treatments and the quality of life for patients.

Fell’s exceptional work ethic led to many achievements during her time at Georgetown. She received the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship, the GUROP Fellowship, and the Zukowski Fellowship. She also co-authored two papers with Dr. Rosenwald and received multiple academic awards. Additionally, her strong interest in pediatric oncology led her to a volunteer position at the Lombardi Cancer Center’s Oncology/Hematology Clinic.

“There is no reason why any child should have to deal with the realities of an undiscriminating and vicious disease like cancer,” says Fell, “and to combat it through both patient care and scientific research to make treatments better and patients’ quality of life better makes me excited to get out of bed each day and go to work.”

When she is not in the lab, Fell enjoys cooking, playing golf, running, cycling, skiing, and spending time with family and friends. She also loves to teach, and has served as a teaching assistant for the medical school classes that she has already completed.

Fell is unwaveringly appreciative of her time spent at Georgetown with Dr. Rosenwald.

“In Dr. Rosenwald I found a rare trait: a willing and enthusiastic teacher with a genuine concern and care for the development and education of her students,” says Fell. “She always gave me feedback of praise as well as guidance to improve both my work and my frame of mind. As a result, I have learned to always strive beyond the limits of what I think I can do.”

Print Article