Meet Laura Ohl, Ph.D., Life Scientist at Science Buddies

By Amy Cowen on July 26, 2024 8:00 AM

Dr. Laura Ohl, Staff Scientist and Life Scientist

Dr. Ohl is a Staff Scientist at Science Buddies and a STEM content creator in the area of life sciences and chemistry. Dr. Ohl is a biomedical scientist and has a Ph.D. in Cellular and Molecular Biology from the University of Pennsylvania.

Learn more about Dr. Ohl in the interview below.

What is your field of expertise?

I am a biomedical scientist with specialization in cellular and molecular biology. During my graduate studies, I studied the mechanisms of disease for rare pediatric neurogenetic disorders. In these disorders, many things can go wrong in the cells of the brain, and our goal was to understand which things were going awry. We investigated how metabolism, cell signaling pathways, and neurodevelopment were all impacted by the loss of a single protein.

What led you to choose this area of science?

The life sciences are such a huge area of science! I have always been a bit of an abstract thinker, often imagining how molecules interact. I think this is what naturally drew me to the life sciences. I was very curious, but I could also visualize biology with my imagination.

As an undergraduate, I tried out genetic and ecology research. I was always fascinated by how the body works, what goes wrong during disease, and how we can use that information to develop well-informed therapies. From the beginning, I have loved the scientific process and designing thoughtful experiments that can answer any question we set for ourselves to test. Most importantly, I love using experiments to better understand the world we live in and using that knowledge to build a better world.

Did you participate in science fairs? What projects do you remember doing?

I was a part of Science Olympiad in high school. I remember getting 5th place at state in the forensics event with my sister. We were a dynamic duo and had a strong chemistry background from our wonderful chemistry teacher. She had a big influence on me and always encouraged me to pursue the life sciences.

What do you enjoy most about the life sciences?

I love the life sciences because they apply to everyday life. Life science can explain how to successfully brew a batch of kombucha, how to propagate a plant to share with a friend, and even how to personalize medicine by making a nutrition plan to get you the macro- and micro-nutrients you need.

What are some common misconceptions about working in the life sciences?

I think there are a lot of misconceptions about what is genetically caused versus a learned behavior.

What are some of the projects you are creating for Science Buddies?

This year I'm focusing on developing science projects that centralize around the topics of advanced materials and lab-to-table innovations for a more sustainable future. I am excited for you to try plant-based milk experiments and learn how to build a microfluidic device at home.

If you could have lunch with any scientist, who would it be and why?

I would love to have lunch with Nancy Wexler. She is a famous geneticist who destigmatized adult-onset neurological diseases by going into the community, working with families, and identifying genetic causes for these diseases. She led research that bridged the gap between patients' symptoms, genetic testing, and building community trust, all while bravely facing her own risk for a genetic disease. She is truly an inspiration for what it is like to stay curious and uniquely human from the perspective of a physician, scientist, and patient.

What's your favorite book?

One of my favorite books is Michelle Obama's Becoming. It reminded me that we are always on our way to becoming better and to keep a growth mindset. The book even has a young readers edition for kids!

What hobbies do you have outside of science?

I enjoy nature photography, gardening, and hiking. Nature is so amazing, and we can learn so much from it and also learn how to better preserve it.

What's your favorite science-related quote?

I really enjoy this quote that I first read at the nature center at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge:

"When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the Universe." — John Muir.

This quote is so true of the life sciences! Everything is connected, and studying one thing will often lead us to understand even more (and sometimes even less) about how living things work. Everything that is living is far more complex than we previously thought.

What advice would you give to a student who is interested in life sciences?

Pursue your curiosity through an experiment, research, internship, or a job. Take every opportunity you can get to get exposure to areas of life science that interest and excite you. That is what worked well for me.

The projects listed below are a sampling of the STEM projects and resources Dr. Ohl has created at Science Buddies: