Fellow Profile: Heather Perry, PhD
DOM EDUCATION
Profile: Postdoctoral Fellow Heather Perry
I spent part of my childhood in upstate New York, and part in northeastern Pennsylvania. Growing up in the country, I would spend most of my days with my siblings in the backyard or on the family farm, marveling at the beauty of nature. I would say that it was during this time that I gained a passion for science. I’ve been at UVA for seven years, starting with graduate school in the Department of Pathology, and am now a postdoctoral fellow in the Division of Nephrology. Recently engaged, my fiancée, Ryan Llewellyn (a graduate student in Microbiology) and I have begun planning our life together–which includes our cat and dog, Kal and Hera.
Why research? Why nephrology?
The human genome project was completed while I was in high school, and I found it to be an impressively huge feat. This really stimulated my interest in understanding how biology worked, from organ systems to the molecular level, during physiological and pathological states. Nephrology is a rich field of research for elucidating key molecular pathways underlying whole organ function. Also, I find it remarkable that the kidney has the capacity to regenerate after injury!
Heather and her fiancé Ryan, snowboarding in Winter Park, Colorado.
Why UVA? What opportunities do you have here?
It was apparent when I first came to UVA that this was a collaborative research environment with a strong initiative to produce successful scientists in trying times. The staff also seemed genuinely interested in the well-being of their students and employees.
Proudest achievement outside the professional realm?
Retaining a strong family bond through the most difficult times in life.
What are you usually doing in your spare time?
Anyone who has a dog, especially a puppy, understands when I say that they make sure your spare time is spent exercising and socializing them.
Where did you go on your last vacation?
One of our favorite places to go is Colorado; we love the culture of Denver, and the natural beauty of the Rockies. For snowboarding, we like to go to Winter Park, Vail, Steamboat Springs and Copper Mountain; the terrain in fresh powder is absolutely an ethereal experience.
What about you would surprise us?
I enjoy craft brewing. I’ve home-brewed a few simple ales and hope to gradually step up to more complex beers. Two of our favorite local breweries are South Street, near the Downtown Mall, and Three Notch’d on Grady Ave.