Melissa Testut
I came to science later than most. In fact, I began my working life as an elementary teacher in East Africa! I hopped around the globe a bit and landed in Edmond, Oklahoma. My husband and I have two boys, and after they were born I ran a baking business for a few years. We had the opportunity to stay in Europe for a semester, and you better believe that I went on a macaron tour of Paris!
After my oldest son was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, I was suddenly thrust into a universe I didn’t know existed. I realized that I had a massive science knowledge gap, so I enrolled in General Biology and General Chemistry at Oklahoma Christian University. Fortuitously, I found that I had stumbled into the perfect field! Every week I discovered something new. I began working at Excitant Therapeutics as a research assistant – the best job I’ve ever had – and this cemented my desire to become a research scientist. We looked at the effects of a drug on eye diseases such as diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration. I got to see how benchwork translated into therapies that actually help people! I continued taking classes in the morning and working in the lab in the afternoons, until I completed the prerequisite coursework required to apply to the GPiBS program.
The most surprising thing is, I’ve found that my life experiences have helped me in my science. My experience with teaching and public speaking helps me explain complicated concepts to those who might not have a background in science. My experience running my own business and working with a start-up pharmaceutical company makes me look at grant funding and project management through a more informed lens. Even working as a baker translates! The first time I used a pipette my professor told me it looked like I was about to decorate a cake.
What do I want to do next?I want to learn how autoimmune diseases develop and contribute to finding new therapies for those who suffer from them. The best part is, I’m already doing that now, during my GPiBS rotations! After completing my degree I intend to work as a research scientist and focus on Type 1 diabetes.
When I’m not in the lab, you might find me exploring international grocery stores in Oklahoma City, hitting the library with my kids, or maybe whipping up a batch of macarons for an upcoming lab meeting.