Alexis Yabsley won the 2015-16 Senior Project Award, but
she also could have easily won the award for Most Unexpected
Subject Topic. As part of her project, she helped women in
developing countries by performing quantitative analysis of an
anti-AIDS vaginal ring, which is being developed by Trelyst, a
Carpinteria-based pharmaceutical company. Trelyst President
Dr. Mary Russell—a cardiologist and Harvard medical professor—
guided Alexis on the ways of pharmaceutical analysis, while
also imparting numerous real-world lessons, especially when it
comes to finding success in a male-dominated industry.
“Dr. Russell introduced me to almost everyone in the small
company and after about 10 introductions, she pulled me
inside her office and told me very firmly: ‘you are working in a
male-dominated world. People make their impressions of you
SENIOR PROJECT AWARD WINNER
ALEXIS YABSLEY ’16
“I began to
realize how
absolutely
addictive
learning and
exploring
can be.”
- Alexis Yabsley
in 15 seconds. Make yourself sound important.’ Already I
had learned one of the most valuable lessons in life; don’t
underestimate yourself.”
Alexis’ research project focused on quantitating 10
types of defects of a certain type of vaginal ring using digital
microscopic analysis and visual inspection. She learned to
operate a $100,000 microscope, got a feel for pharmaceutical
laboratory development, and learned a lot about work—and
women—in the real world.
“I learned asking questions is a good thing, not knowing
everything is OK, taking risks is essential, and being
independent and standing out is one of the most important
things for a rising female in the world of science.”
HONORING OUR NEWEST
CUM LAUDE SOCIETY MEMBERS
Senior Project Coordinator Trish McHale presents Alexis with the
Best Senior Project Award at Commencement 2016.
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