Aug 2019 – May 2023
B.S. in Biology, summa cum laude
Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) · Rochester, NY
Anna Kasper
Ph.D. Student · Phillips Lab · Philadelphia, PA
I investigate the genetic regulators of myeloid infiltration in glioblastomas using in vivo approaches, sequencing, and flow cytometry. I graduated summa cum laude (GPA 3.94/4.00) with a B.S. in Biology from Rochester Institute of Technology, bringing 4+ years of undergraduate research experience and coursework in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, Analytical and Organic Chemistry, Genetics, calculus-based Physics, and Psychology (Biopsychology and Cognitive Psychology).
Education
Research Experience
May 2025 – Present
Ph.D. Student
Phillips Lab · Philadelphia, PA
- Investigating the genetic regulators of myeloid infiltration in glioblastomas utilizing an in vivo approach, sequencing, and flow cytometry
Jun 2023 – Dec 2023
Automation Engineer
Quantitative Biosciences, Merck · Blue Bell, PA
- Wrote automated Telios methods for Luminex immunoassays, mRNA transfection, and harvesting B-cell supernatant
- Utilized Staubli robots in robotic systems of multiple laboratory machines including the Combi dispensers, Biomeks, BlueCat washers, cytomats, Pherastar readers, and Luminex readers
Sep 2019 – May 2023
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Michel Lab, RIT · Rochester, NY · Advisor: Lea V. Michel
- Purified outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) from E. coli using centrifugation protocols
- Characterized OMV spherical sizes, concentrations, protein content, and size distributions with nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), Bradford assays, and bicinchoninic acid assays (BCAs)
- Performed Western blots using SDS-PAGE gels to identify protein biomarkers of interest
- Purified NTHi outer membrane protein 26 (OMP26) and protein D
- Utilized TALON bead column chromatography to re-harvest OMP26 and Protein D
Aug 2021 – May 2023
OMV Project Lead
Michel Lab, RIT · Rochester, NY · Advisor: Lea V. Michel
- Communicated project expectations to a research team
- Presented project updates weekly to PI
- Assisted in ordering project supplies
- Trained students in laboratory techniques relevant to the project
- Scheduled weekly tasks and coordinated training for 5–10 students at a given time
Mar 2023 – May 2023
Undergraduate Data Science Student
The Data Mine, Purdue University · West Lafayette, IN (remote)
- Collaborated with Innivee Strategies, a consulting company focused on deaf/hard-of-hearing (D/HH) organizations and companies, on plan creation for automation of data collection
- Investigated the feasibility of uploading HTML-converted PDFs into a third-party database
- Practiced agile development and usage of Jupyter Lab notebooks and Python
Oct 2022 – May 2023
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Deaf Health Lab, RIT · Rochester, NY
- Created R script for visualizations of deaf/hard-of-hearing (D/HH) pharmacy user experiences (latitudinal data) for a medical literacy project
- Generated demographic longitudinal tables with R using US Census SIPP data (2021 wave)
- Contributed to the introduction and demographic sections of an econometric paper focused on disparities in income between hearing and D/HH healthcare professionals (paper submissions in progress)
Jun 2022 – Aug 2022
NSF REU Intern
Peña Lab, Princeton Neuroscience Institute (PNI) · Princeton, NJ · Advisor: Catherine J. Peña
- Performed cryostat slicing on frozen murine neural tissue and updated cryostat protocol
- Assisted in immunohistochemical experiments and Nanozoomer fluorescence microscopy
- Utilized FIJI macros to create a semi-automatic cell counting and quantification pipeline
- Attended beginner coding courses in Python and R hosted by PNI
Jan 2021 – Aug 2021
Undergraduate Research Assistant
NanoBio Materials Lab, RIT · Rochester, NY · Advisor: Tom Gaborski
- Isolated medium-sized extracellular vesicles from adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs)
- Performed cell culture techniques such as feeding, passaging, and cell counting
- Ran in vitro time-lapses on fibroblast wound assays under Leica fluorescence microscopy
- Analyzed cell speed and velocity for wound closure using a previously created MATLAB script
Aug 2019 – May 2020
Undergraduate Research Assistant
SPaCE Center, RIT · Rochester, NY · Advisor: Matthew L. Dye
- Collected and administered participant data into an online laboratory drive
- Performed EEG testing on in-person participants
Jun 2019 – Aug 2019
Summer Student Program Intern
Tarchini Lab, Jackson Laboratory · Bar Harbor, ME · Advisor: Basil Tarchini
- Optimized subcellular protein LGN trafficking techniques in hair cells
- Quantified individual cell intensities using FIJI software
- Compiled and organized experimental data to produce graphical presentations along with a scientific report
Publications
- Rogers FD, Kim S, Mereby SA, et al. Agouti integrates environmental cues to regulate paternal behaviour. Nature (2026). doi:10.1038/s41586-026-10123-4
- Kasper AM, Popov VA, Blick-Nitko SK, et al. Illuminating the deaf experience at STEM conferences. Nat Rev Chem 8, 645–646 (2024). doi:10.1038/s41570-024-00639-6
- Womack K, Cherry ND, Kasper AM, Popov VA, Blick-Nitko SK, Kinast KB (2024). Interpreting in STEM: The essentials for working with deaf professionals. In: A Survey of American Sign Language/English Interpreting Settings, Bentley-Sassaman and Minor.
- Michel LV, Kaur R, Gleghorn ML, Holmquist M, Pryharski K, Perdue J, Jones SP, Jackson N, Pilo I, Kasper A, Labbe N, Pichichero ME (2022). Haemophilus influenzae Protein D antibody suppression in a multi-component vaccine formulation. FEBS Open Bio.
Science writing & media
- “How can neurons communicate with brain tumors and help them grow?” Brains in Briefs, Aug 31, 2026.
- “The missing community in the link between hearing loss and dementia” PennNeuroKnow, Jun 30, 2026.
- “The blood brain barrier and its Trojan Horses” PennNeuroKnow, Dec 2, 2025.
- Mentioned in “Imagine RIT: Creativity and Innovation Festival set for April 29” RIT University Studies.
Posters & Presentations
- Nikiforova N, Dehghani AM, Alsudai M, Kasper A, Videva M, Michel LV, Gaborski T. Using the Virus Counter® 3100 platform for bacterial extracellular vesicles (bEVs) characterization – Comparison with traditional Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis. Poster, ISEV2023 Annual Meeting, May 18–21, 2023. Seattle, WA.
- Joseph S, Kasper A. Deaf Athlete Notification System. Imagine RIT 2023, April 29, 2023. Rochester, NY.
- Kasper A, Videva M, Smith C, Hampton U, Pilo I, Burgado N, Gerbsch J, Nikiforova N, Gaborski T, Michel LV. Utilizing biomarkers to differentiate E. coli apoptotic bodies (ABs) from outer membrane vesicles (OMVs). Poster, ASBMB 2023, March 24–28, 2023. Seattle, WA.
- Videva M, Kasper A, Hampton U, Burgado N, Robinson N, Gerbsch J, Michel LV, Gaborski T. Optimizing the isolation of bacteria outer membrane vesicles from complex biofluids. Poster, ASBMB 2023, March 24–28, 2023. Seattle, WA.
- Pilo I, Perdue J, Jackson N, Kasper A, Labbe N, Holmquist M, Kaur R, Pichichero M, Michel LV. Haemophilus influenzae Protein D antibody suppression in a multi-component vaccine formulation. Poster, ASBMB 2023, March 24–28, 2023. Seattle, WA.
- Videva M, Kasper A, Hampton U, Burgado N, Robinson N, Gerbsch J, Michel LV, Gaborski T. Optimizing the isolation of bacteria outer membrane vesicles from complex biofluids. Poster, ACS Rochester Collegiate Symposium, 2023.
- Kasper A, Rogers FD, Peña CJ. Uncovering the neural basis of paternal care in African striped mice. Oral presentation, ABRCMS 2022, November 9–12, 2022. Anaheim, CA.
- Kasper A, Rogers FD, Peña CJ. Uncovering the neural basis of paternal care in African striped mice. Poster, D/HH Scientists Rochester Conference 2022, August 11–12, 2022. Best Poster Award.
Show 12 earlier presentations (2019–2022)
- Kasper A, Rogers FD, Peña CJ. Uncovering the neural basis of paternal care in African striped mice. Poster, PNI REU Summer Research Symposium, 2022. Princeton, NJ.
- Kasper A, Henretta S, Smith C, Videva M, Crawford J, Shanahan C, Gaborski T, Michel LV. Optimizing the production, purification, and characterization of OMVs. Poster, ASBMB 2022, April 1–4, 2022. Philadelphia, PA.
- Kasper A, Henretta S, Miller H, Gaborski T. Optimizing ADSC medium-sized EV concentrations in fibroblast wound healing. Video presentation, ABRCMS 2021: The Virtual Experience, November 10–13, 2021.
- Kasper A, Henretta S, Miller H, Gaborski T. Optimizing ADSC medium-sized EV concentrations in fibroblast wound healing. Video presentation, RIT Undergraduate Research Symposium, July 29–August 4, 2021. Rochester, NY.
- Kasper A, Jackson N, Jones S, Gleghorn M, Kaur R, Michel LV. A vaccine candidate case study: Understanding Protein D antibody suppression by OMP26. Poster, ASBMB 2021: Experimental Biology 2021, April 27–30, 2021.
- Jackson N, Kasper A, Farquharson K, Jones S, Gleghorn S, Kaur R, Michel LV. Elucidating the protein-protein interactions between two leading protein vaccine candidates from nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae. Poster, ASBMB 2021: Experimental Biology 2021, April 27–30, 2021.
- Jackson N, Kasper A, Farquharson K, Jones S, Gleghorn S, Kaur R, Michel LV. Elucidating the protein-protein interactions between two leading protein vaccine candidates from nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae. Poster, Biophysical Society National Meeting (Virtual), 2020.
- Kasper A, Jackson N, Jones S, Gleghorn M, Kaur R, Michel LV. Antigenic competition in Protein D antibody suppression by OMP26. Poster, ABRCMS 2020: The Virtual Experience, November 9–13, 2020.
- Jackson N, Kasper A, Farquharson K, Jones S, Gleghorn S, Kaur R, Michel LV. Elucidating the protein-protein interactions between two leading protein vaccine candidates from nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae. Poster, ABRCMS 2020: The Virtual Experience, November 9–13, 2020.
- Jackson N, Kasper A, Farquharson K, Jones S, Gleghorn S, Kaur R, Michel LV. Probing the inter-protein interactions between two leading protein vaccine candidates from nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae. Video presentation, 8th Annual Black Doctoral Network Virtual Conference, October 2020.
- Kasper A, Jackson N, Jones S, Gleghorn M, Kaur R, Michel LV. Antigenic competition in Protein D antibody suppression by OMP26. Poster, RIT Undergraduate Research Symposium, July 30–August 6, 2020. Rochester, NY.
- Kasper A, Akturk A, Tarchini B, Day M, Jarysta A. Optimization of subcellular protein tracking in cells. Poster, Jackson Laboratory Summer Student Program Symposium, August 8, 2019. Bar Harbor, ME.
Teaching
Jul 2025
Instructor
ASL + Bagels, Perelman School of Medicine · Philadelphia, PA
- Created tailored ASL curriculum materials for 15 neuroscience graduate students
- Educated neuroscience students on current research and nonprofits involving the deaf/hard-of-hearing community
Aug 2023 – Dec 2023
Adjunct Biology Tutor
National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) · Rochester, NY
- Tutored NTID students weekly online in biology courses using ASL and English
Aug 2022 – Dec 2022
Course Grader
Molecular Biology, RIT · Rochester, NY
- Graded exams and worksheets for two sections of the molecular biology course with over 130 students
Jun 2022 – Aug 2022
Instructor
Introduction to ASL/Deaf Culture Course, PNI · Princeton, NJ
- Created tailored ASL curriculum materials for 30+ postdocs, undergraduate and graduate students, and laboratory managers
- Educated ASL students about D/HH populations in post-secondary education and STEM
- Facilitated student learning through lectures and workshops in person and online through Zoom
Aug 2021 – Dec 2021
Teaching Assistant
Introduction to Biology, RIT · Rochester, NY
- Assisted in setting up and maintaining the labs
- Graded quizzes
- Answered students’ questions regarding laboratory procedures and assignments
Jun 2019 – Aug 2019
Instructor
Introduction to ASL/Deaf Culture Course, Jackson Laboratory · Bar Harbor, ME
- Created tailored ASL curriculum materials for 20 high school and undergraduate students
- Educated premed students about healthcare challenges for D/HH populations
Aug 2018 – May 2019
President
ASL Club, Normandale Community College · Bloomington, MN
- Increased awareness of the D/HH community and advocacy opportunities
- Planned and executed educational activities and games
Leadership & Service
Jan 2023 – May 2023
College of Science (COS) Representative
RIT/NTID Cross-Registered Student Advisory Board · Rochester, NY
- Participated in biweekly board meetings to discuss current projects and issues affecting cross-registered D/HH students at RIT/NTID
- Assisted in hosting social events for the cross-registered community
- Represented the COS cross-registered D/HH students and advocated for creation of accessibility resources
May 2022 – May 2023
Vice President
Women’s Ultimate Frisbee, RIT · Rochester, NY
- Coordinated American Sign Language (ASL) access services for D/HH players at practices and traveling tournaments
- Implemented ideas for increasing accessibility on the team to D/HH players such as ASL-translated announcements on Slack, ASL-friendly team cheers, and ASL educational nights for the team
- Led meetings in lieu of the club President regarding the club’s activities, hosting of tournaments, and compliance with university club sports policies
- Formed a public relations team of student photographers and the team’s social media manager
- Carried out usability testing with D/HH players using the Deaf Athlete Notification System (DANS) in conjunction with an electrical engineering student
Aug 2020 – May 2022
Resident Advisor
Residence Life, RIT · Rochester, NY
- Referred residents to campus resources and assisted in transitioning to college life
- Built interpersonal relationships with residents via virtual and in-person formats
- Performed conflict resolution and provided emergency support in line with campus protocols
- Nominee for the Outstanding Staff Person Award during the 2020–21 school year
- Hosted floor events, including managing a budget for materials, advertising through Discord and paper flyers, and obtaining location and campus approvals in advance
May 2021 – May 2022
Captain
Women’s Ultimate Frisbee, RIT · Rochester, NY
- Collaborated with other captains and coaches to plan practice drills and set developmental goals
- Tracked and encouraged attendance from players
- Facilitated team bonding events to create team chemistry and created a workout game for school breaks
- Proposed the idea of a vibrating armband communication system (DANS) for D/HH athletes to an electrical engineering major
- Coordinated creation of an educational video displaying the official USAU hand signals as a nationwide resource for the ultimate frisbee community
Aug 2021 – Dec 2021
Peer Mentor
COS Student Advisory Board, RIT · Rochester, NY
- Facilitated connections with 2 first-year COS students multiple times during the semester and referred COS students to resources on campus
May 2020 – May 2021
Social Media Manager
Women’s Ultimate Frisbee, RIT · Rochester, NY
- Maintained the team’s Instagram and Facebook outreach pages
- Built an archive of educational videos and resources on the team’s YouTube channel
Awards & Honors
University of Pennsylvania Ph.D. Presidential Fellowship (2024)
Three-year fellowship awarded to 7 incoming Ph.D. students across all Ph.D. programs at the University of Pennsylvania who display exceptional academic promise (especially in terms of having an innovative research plan), contribute to increasing impact in their fields, and demonstrate leadership potential.
2024
- NSF GRFP Honorable Mention
2023
- RIT Convocation Undergraduate Student SpeakerSelected from the pool of 9 undergraduate delegates representing RIT’s colleges to formally speak at RIT’s Convocation graduation ceremony.
- Undergraduate Delegate, RIT College of Science CommencementRepresented the COS at RIT’s Graduation Convocation, symbolically accepting a degree on behalf of all COS graduates, and crafted and presented a speech at the College of Science Commencement Ceremony.
- RIT Outstanding Undergraduate Scholar AwardRecognizes excellence in academic achievement and extracurricular activities; recipients are designated RIT Scholars in perpetuity, usually in the top 1% of their program.
- RIT Excellence in Student Life AwardFor students with GPAs over 3.4 who held significant leadership positions within RIT activities.
- RIT College of Science Research Scholar AwardGiven to high-performing research students who have contributed to an academic paper and presented at a national conference.
- RIT College of Science Undergraduate Research Scholar AwardRecognizes experiential participation in undergraduate research.
- Legacy Leaders AwardRecognizes graduating women, transgender, and nonbinary students who made a positive impact during their time at RIT.
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science Research Scholar AwardRecognizes exemplary undergraduate research in a discipline related to chemistry.
2019 – 2023
- Gosnell College of Science Dean’s ListEvery semester, Fall 2019 through Spring 2023.
2022
- D/HH Scientists Rochester Conference “Best Poster” Prize
- Princeton Neuroscience NSF REUOne of eleven participants selected from 1000+ applicants.
- Al & RC Davis Leadership ScholarshipAwarded to undergraduate students who demonstrated outstanding leadership capabilities.
- Joseph T. Ferraro Memorial ScholarshipAwarded to an undergraduate who demonstrated a commitment to bridging students of diverse backgrounds through extracurriculars, leadership, and advocacy on campus.
- College of Science Alumni Endowed AwardMerit scholarship for COS students demonstrating outstanding leadership skills.
Show awards from 2019–2021
2021
- Julia A. and Charles F. Cala NRSFor full-time students with leadership and community involvement and a cumulative GPA of 3.4 or higher.
- Mary and John Parke LLC NRS ScholarshipAwarded to College of Science students at RIT with a GPA over 3.5.
2020
- University of Michigan NSF REU / DoD ASSURE SIRENSelected participant for Summer Intensive Research Experiences in Neuroscience; program canceled due to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.
- M. Richard Rose ScholarshipAwarded to second-year students with financial need and a GPA over 3.5.
- NIH RIT RISE ScholarThree-year research program supporting D/HH students pursuing a Ph.D. in the biomedical sciences through professional workshops, yearlong research funding, and application support.
2019
- CAAM–Stanley Chong ScholarshipChinese American Association of Minnesota award for graduating high school seniors.
- Gloria Gross ScholarshipAwarded for academic and community involvement on nomination by an audiologist of the Minnesota Academy of Audiology.
- Maguire Scholars ProgramFour-year scholarship from the Maguire Foundation for RIT/NTID students.
- NTID Academic Excellence Scholarship
- NTID Presidential Scholarship
- RIT Presidential Scholarship
- Wells Fargo Scholarship for People with DisabilitiesFour-year award recognizing high academic achievement, community service, and extracurricular involvement.