Saint Viator Alumna Published in National Medical Journal

Tara Jennings ’21 endured all of the changes to daily life – and school life – as a result of COVID-19, but now as a budding scientist she has the chance to impact future outbreaks.

Among the places where it can be found is the National Library of Medicine’s National Center for Biotechnology Information, which is part of the National Institute of Health. Read the full paper here.

Tara now is a junior at the University of California Irvine, majoring in biological sciences. In addition to her classroom studies, Tara works in a cancer research lab in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, in the university’s medical school.

The lab specializes in next generation sequencing (DNA and RNA sequencing), as well as gene expression and canonical pathway analysis. 

“One of the collaborators in our department of immunology needed assistance in RNA sequencing, gene expression analysis, and pathway analysis for her paper on COVID-19,” Tara explains. “My principal investigator handed me the project and I conducted all of the RNA sequencing and Pathway analysis last summer, in 2023.”

Tara and her fellow authors finished writing the paper in December 2023, after all the data was finalized and the figures were checked, she says. Their manuscript was published in the journal in late March.

“COVID-19 research, post-pandemic, is undeniably rewarding, as it offers an opportunity to contribute to the collective effort to prevent, manage and overcome future health crises,” Tara says. “As we reflect on the challenges and lessons learned during the pandemic, delving into research allows us to apply newfound knowledge and innovations to better prepare for any future outbreaks. 

“Every discovery made, whether it be in vaccine development, treatment strategies, or public health interventions, holds the potential to save lives – especially for those who are of older age. I loved participating in bringing this paper to life because when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, I was a student at Saint Viator.”

Tara points to a pair of science teachers at Saint Viator who inspired her: Mrs. Paula Nicolau and Mrs. Gina Horne. She also carries with her a commitment to service. Her work in the cancer research lab stemmed from her weekly volunteering at the Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach, California, on the oncology floor. 

“This ended up igniting a profound desire to make a difference in the fight against the disease,” Tara says.

In addition, she just spent her spring break on a medical mission trip in Panama. Still, getting published as an undergraduate student was a thrill, Tara says.

“Having your work published adds credibility to your academic credentials and demonstrates your ability to contribute meaningfully to your field of study,” she says. “Undergraduate students typically have limited opportunities to conduct original research and see it through to publication."

“Similarly, publication indicates that your research has undergone rigorous peer review and has been deemed valuable and relevant by experts in the field,” Tara adds. “This validation enhances your credibility as a researcher and a scholar.”