Member Spotlight: Skye Scherer

Name:

Title:

Project Coordinator, NUSeq Core

Year joined CDB:

2022

Can you say a few words about yourself and your role at Northwestern?

I have the great pleasure of working for NUSeq Core Facility as their project coordinator. I am honored to be part of Northwestern’s largest core facility, where Northwestern scientists spend over 14 million research dollars. Our lab provides next-generation sequencing to Northwestern users, and external academic and commercial organizations as well. I offer administrative, logistical, and financial support to my team, to make sure our facility completes and bills projects in a timely and efficient manner. The best part of my job is the ability to interact with so many scientists from completely different backgrounds, all determined to produce results that will change the world in a fundamental way.

What inspired you to work in the health sciences?

After struggling with an autoimmune condition in high school, I was immediately drawn to the health sciences. For personal reasons, I wanted to understand why autoimmunity was on the rise, but I was also determined to use my knowledge and skills to contribute to re-designing the U.S. healthcare system to help others suffering from autoimmune conditions. There is not yet enough research to support specific diagnostic tests nor accurately identify the underlying cause of autoimmune disorders; I am grateful to work in a field that enables NU scientists to create breakthroughs in modern medicine that help improve the quality of life for patients who suffer from autoimmune conditions.

Who has been the biggest influence in your life and how did they impact you?

My mother is the most influential person in my life. I have yet to meet another person who I am more inspired or impressed by. She is the picture of generosity and kindness, and created a meaningful life, despite a very abusive upbringing. Through her experiences, my mother has taught me the true meaning of resilience. When I thought I could not be prouder of her personal and professional accomplishments, she recently announced she’d written a book about her life experiences, with the hopes of helping other child abuse victims break their silence. In addition to her own success, she enabled mine, guiding me to become a first-generation college student at Northwestern University. I recently became a mother and am beginning to understand all the sacrifices required to provide a loving and nurturing environment for my daughter- I have a newfound sense of gratitude towards my mother.

What are you looking forward to this summer?

This summer, I am looking forward to introducing my husband and I’s newborn baby girl to all the fun activities Chicago has to offer. We will be attending food festivals, outdoor movie showings, beach outings, and even concerts!

If you could collaborate with (or meet) any scientist, living or deceased, who would it be and why?

I would love to meet Dr. Will Bulsiewicz, a gastroenterologist who specializes in the treatment of IBS. I am intrigued by his work which aims to diagnose how stress and modern lifestyles make GI issues more common in today’s world. While learning to live with an autoimmune condition, it has become increasing clear that diet and gut-health play an important role in managing autoimmune disorders. I would love to connect Dr. Bulsiewicz with researchers at Northwestern who are interested in learning about the role gut bacteria plays in contracting and managing autoimmune conditions.