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Laura Ohl, PhD

Content Developer
Life Science & Chemistry

Science Buddies staff

I am a biomedical scientist specializing in cellular and molecular biology. Biomedical scientists study human health and disease to understand better how a disease works and use this knowledge to create therapies for them. Biomedical scientists can have multiple different specialties. For example, they can study what is happening inside or outside cells(cellular and molecular biology) or how to create a treatment (pharmacology). My specialty is cellular and molecular biology, which looks at the microscopic molecules in cells. Some examples of the research I've done include looking at molecules that interact with each other to tell the cells what to do (signaling pathways), predicting how a variation in a gene leads to disease (genetics), identifying the specific role of a protein within cells (protein biology), understanding how small molecules within the cell are built through chemical reactions or broken down (metabolism), and studying specific cells like the ones in the central nervous system (neuroscience).

To become a biomedical scientist, I earned my Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Biology from Penn State York campus. After that, I pursued a Doctorate of Philosophy (Ph.D.) to become an expert in Cellular and Molecular Biology at the University of Pennsylvania. To earn your Ph.D. in the biomedical sciences, you have to contribute to a new scientific discovery in your area of research. I discovered the cause of a rare genetic disease that impacts the nervous system development of kids and tested new potential therapies.

Beyond my research, I was also an educator for K-12 STEM programs and post-secondary education (college). I am passionate about making STEM accessible to everyone, and I enjoy being creative by developing new and exciting ideas for science projects at Science Buddies. I am also interested in other STEM areas, including ecology, plant biology, and sustainability. These interests stem from my hobbies of nature photography, hiking, and gardening.

Recent Projects

Tracking SARS-CoV-2 Spread from Wastewater
Science Fair Project Idea
Scientific Method
Have you ever wanted to know where hot spots of infection are or see how viruses spread? Are you interested in seeing how this changes over time? Check out our new science project that uses data visualization tools and tested wastewater data to track the virus that causes COVID-19 over time. Read more
Does Sense of Touch Impact a Cat's Behavior?
Science Fair Project Idea
Scientific Method
Have you ever seen a cat slowly move its head and whiskers into a small space before crawling through it? They’re using their sense of touch to see if they can fit into the space! In this science experiment, you’ll test how cats use their sense of touch to move through the world by using a maze to determine if they prefer big or small spaces. Read more
Improving Focus for People with Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Science Fair Project Idea
Scientific Method
Have you ever wondered how you could help yourself or your classmates focus or perform better in class? Many students do! Some kids diagnosed with a neurodevelopmental disorder learn better in different ways, and easy changes while performing a task can make a huge difference to them. In this science project, you'll test if standing can significantly improve your performance and if this further improves performance for those who have neurodevelopmental disorders.  Read more
Can Machine Learning Forecast Future Sea Levels?
Science Fair Project Idea
Scientific Method
Global sea levels are rising, but modeling and predicting them can be challenging with more and more extreme weather events. Can we use machine learning to track and predict sea level changes? In this science project, you will use previously collected data and machine learning to see if you can predict future relative sea level changes.  Read more
Predicting Wildfire Intensities and Locations with AI
Science Fair Project Idea
Scientific Method
Have you ever wondered what causes wildfires and how resources are allocated to prevent their spread? In this science project, you will use machine learning to predict areas of wildfire susceptibility and their intensities. Read more
Exploring the Impact of Social Media on Mental Health with Machine Learning
Science Fair Project Idea
Scientific Method
Do you ever wonder if you spend too much time online? How can the amount of time spent on social media influence someone's mental health? What other factors play a role? In this science project, you will investigate which variables correlate with better mental health scores using a machine learning algorithm called the Random Forest algorithm.  Read more
Teaching Machines to Understand Sign Language
Science Fair Project Idea
Engineering Design Process
Can AI understand human language? In the future, AI could aid in emergency interpretive service in the hospital when translators aren't available. But can current AI algorithms understand non-verbal languages like sign language? In this science project, you will test whether AI can learn sign language gestures or phrases to see if it can be used for interpretation. Read more
Modeling Your Local Watershed and Nutrient Pollution
Science Fair Project Idea
Scientific Method
Have you ever been unable to swim in a body of water because it was polluted? Have you ever wondered where the water came from, or what contributed to its pollution? In this science project, you'll learn how water drains to common areas to create bodies of water and how the land surrounding a waterway can contribute to its health and pollution. Read more
Macroinvertebrates as Indicators of Pollution
Science Fair Project Idea
Scientific Method
In this science project, you will collect macroinvertebrate samples from multiple points along a body of water, ideally a small creek or stream, and test the pollution burden and biodiversity of small organisms or insects to see if pollution impacts biodiversity. Read more
Removing Microplastics from Water with Ferrofluids
Science Fair Project Idea
Scientific Method
Have you ever walked next to your favorite ocean, lake, or creek and seen plastic waste everywhere? Have you ever thought about how much plastic breaks down into microplastics and pollutes waterways? Scientists are coming up with new ways to remove these microplastics from our waterways, and now you can test them out for yourself at home.  Read more

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